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Box Truck Cost Per Mile in Montana
Know your true cost per mile before evaluating any load. CPM is the baseline metric for every carrier — if you don't know your cost, you can't know your profit.
Your Numbers
Equipment Type
State
Box truck carriers usually face higher maintenance, tire, and insurance loads, so keeping deadhead low is critical to protecting margin.
As your operation approaches 26,000 lbs and broadens lanes, compliance and administrative time can become as important as fuel in total CPM.
Fixed Costs (Monthly)
Variable Costs
Operating Profile
Your Results
Cost per mile
$0.83/mi
Cost Breakdown
Target rate (incl. income goal)
$1.46/mi
Cost per day
$221.69/day
Monthly operating cost
$6,651
Monthly operating + income goal
$11,651
Fuel cost per mile
$0.48/mi
Fixed cost per mile
$0.19/mi
Box Truck Costs in Montana
Diesel fuel in Montana currently averages $4.80 per gallon, which includes a state fuel tax of 29.5¢ per gallon. This fuel tax is near the national average and should be factored into your box truck rate calculations.
Average commercial box truck insurance in Montana runs approximately $284/month. This moderate premium is typical for the region and should be reviewed annually to ensure you're not overpaying.
Box trucks average 8–12 MPG depending on load and body size (16–26 ft). Fuel is typically the largest variable cost, running $0.40–$0.65 per mile. Route planning to minimize empty miles has a bigger impact on CPM than with smaller vehicles.
Montana's vast distances between population centers mean high daily mileage but limited backhaul options. I-90 and I-94 carry east-west freight, and winter weather on mountain passes requires chains and limits speeds.
Box truck insurance falls between van and semi rates, reflecting the mid-range risk profile. Maintenance costs are higher than vans due to hydraulic lift gates, larger brake systems, and commercial tires — budget $0.10–$0.15/mile for maintenance reserve.
Cost Per Mile by State
Select your state for local diesel prices, insurance rates, and region-specific cost data. Coverage includes 49 states.
Low Fuel Tax (under 22¢/gal)
Fuel cost per mile stays lean — your CPM is driven more by insurance and fixed overhead.
Mid Fuel Tax (22–35¢/gal)
Fuel tax is near the national average — focus on utilization and route efficiency.
High Fuel Tax (35–50¢/gal)
Above-average fuel tax makes fuel a larger share of CPM than in most states.
Very High Fuel Tax (over 50¢/gal)
Fuel tax alone can add $0.05–$0.10/mi — route planning and fuel stops matter most here.
These tools are provided for informational purposes and should not be treated as legal, tax, or financial advice.