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Cargo Van Cost Per Mile in Rhode Island

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

Cargo vans usually run the lowest fixed and compliance costs in expedited freight, which can keep your baseline CPM lean even in soft markets.

Because most cargo van operations are under 10,001 lbs GVWR, operators can often avoid heavier regulatory and permit overhead, making breakeven calculations much more sensitive to fuel and utilization.

Fixed Costs (Monthly)

Variable Costs

Operating Profile

Your Results

Cost per mile

$0.48/mi

Operating: vs avg $0.35 – $0.50/miIn rangeTarget rate: vs avg $0.85 – $1.15/miIn range

Cost Breakdown

Fuel$0.29/mi61%
Maintenance$0.05/mi10%
Tires$0.02/mi4%
Fixed costs$0.12/mi25%

Target rate (incl. income goal)

$1.10/mi

Cost per day

$127.74/day

Monthly operating cost

$3,832

Monthly operating + income goal

$8,832

Fuel cost per mile

$0.29/mi

Fixed cost per mile

$0.12/mi

Cargo Van Costs in Rhode Island

Diesel fuel in Rhode Island currently averages $5.24 per gallon, which includes a state fuel tax of 35.0¢ per gallon. This fuel tax is near the national average and should be factored into your cargo van rate calculations.

Average commercial cargo van insurance in Rhode Island runs approximately $270/month. This moderate premium is typical for the region and should be reviewed annually to ensure you're not overpaying.

Cargo vans typically get 15–20 MPG on diesel, making them the most fuel-efficient option for last-mile and expedited freight. At these MPG figures, fuel cost per mile stays under $0.35 even in high-price states.

Rhode Island's small size limits in-state mileage, but its position along the I-95 corridor and the Port of Providence create regional freight opportunities. Tolls on the Claiborne Pell and Sakonnet River bridges apply to commercial vehicles.

With lower insurance premiums and minimal maintenance costs, cargo vans have the lowest CPM of any commercial vehicle class. The tradeoff is payload capacity — if you're running at max GVW regularly, a larger vehicle may actually lower your cost per pound-mile.

Compare in neighboring states: Connecticut · Massachusetts
Compare other equipment in Rhode Island: Sprinter · Box Truck · Semi / Dry Van

Cost Per Mile by State

Select your state for local diesel prices, insurance rates, and region-specific cost data. Coverage includes 49 states.

These tools are provided for informational purposes and should not be treated as legal, tax, or financial advice.