Trucking in Montana

In Montana, dry van rates average $2.50/mile, reefer rates average $2.85/mile, and flatbed rates average $3.15/mile. Actual rates vary by lane, season, and load specifics.

Montana scores 7/10 on our owner-operator friendliness scale. The state has low freight volume with limited truck parking availability. Key industries driving freight include Agriculture, Oil (Bakken), Mining.

Key trucking regulations in Montana include: Long distances between services. Bakken oil field loads pay premium. No sales tax. Winter driving skills mandatory Oct-Apr. The state fuel tax rate is 27.75 cents per gallon.

The major freight highways in Montana are I-90, I-15, I-94, US-93, US-2. These corridors connect the state's key freight cities: Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman. No toll roads.

Truck driver earnings in Montana vary by equipment type and experience. Based on current Montana freight rates, a dry van owner-operator running 120,000 miles/year can expect to gross $255,000-$330,000 annually. After expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance), net take-home typically ranges from $77,000-$149,000. Reefer and flatbed operators often earn more — $2.85/mile and $3.15/mile respectively. Company drivers in Montana generally earn $55,000-$75,000 depending on the carrier and route type.

The primary freight corridors in Montana run along I-90, I-15, I-94, plus US-93, US-2. These routes connect major freight hubs like Billings, Missoula, Great Falls and serve the state's top industries: Agriculture, Oil (Bakken), Mining. Major shippers along these corridors include CHS Inc (grain) and ExxonMobil (Billings refinery). Freight volume on Montana corridors is rated low, making it important to pre-book loads to avoid deadhead miles.

Standard operations in Montana require a valid USDOT number, MC authority (for interstate), and MT base plates or IRP registration. For oversize/overweight loads, Montana requires permits — contact the Montana DOT for permit details. Standard FMCSA hazmat endorsements apply for dangerous goods. The state motor fuel excise tax is roughly 27.75 cents/gallon; interstate carriers report fuel tax through IFTA, using the official quarterly IFTA rate matrix.

Major shippers and carriers operating in Montana include CHS Inc (grain), ExxonMobil (Billings refinery), Knife River, Stillwater Mining. These companies generate consistent freight across the state's top industries: Agriculture, Oil (Bakken), Mining, Timber. For owner-operators, Montana's low freight volume means building direct shipper relationships is key to staying loaded. Key freight cities like Billings and Missoula are good places to establish regular lanes.

Compared to nearby states like Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Montana ranks favorably with a 7/10 owner-operator friendliness score. Montana has low freight volume and a fuel tax of 27.75 cents/gallon. Colorado has a fuel tax of 22.0 cents/gallon for comparison. Factors like limited truck parking and seasonal weather challenges also affect profitability.

Montana's state motor fuel excise tax is around 27.75 cents per gallon, on top of the federal 24.4 cents/gallon on diesel. This is roughly in line with the national average. Major truck stops along I-90 and I-15 offer competitive diesel pricing. For a truck averaging 6.5 MPG over 10,000 miles/month, monthly fuel expense in Montana varies based on current pump prices. IFTA-registered carriers file quarterly to reconcile fuel taxes across states — use the official IFTA, Inc. quarterly tax rate matrix for filing figures rather than the approximate rate above, since diesel and gasoline are taxed at different rates in many states and the rates change quarterly. No toll roads.