Illinois Trucking Cost Per Mile Calculator
2026 Illinois cost-per-mile and rate-per-mile benchmarks for owner-operators and small fleets — with IL-specific diesel, IFTA, and lane data.
- IL diesel: $3.94/gal (Q2 2026)
- IL fuel tax: 78.5¢/gal
- Sources: DOE EIA · ATRI · DAT · Truckstop · IFTA Inc.
The average all-in trucking cost per mile in Illinois in 2026 runs $1.68–$1.97/mi — 4% above the U.S. average, driven by IL diesel at $3.94/gal and state fuel tax of 78.5¢/gal. A profitable dry-van RPM floor in IL is $2.22/mi all-in.
- Definition
- Illinois Cost Per Mile — A $IL-based operator's cost per mile is total monthly operating cost divided by total miles (loaded + deadhead), adjusted for Illinois diesel price, state fuel tax, insurance rates, and IFTA reconciliation.
Why Illinois is different
Chicago is the #1 U.S. intermodal hub. High reload density on outbound RPM, but tolls, drayage times, and Cook County surcharges pressure CPM.
- IL tolls on I-90/I-88/I-294 add $0.03–$0.05/mi for regional runs — bake into CPM.
- Chicago intermodal rail-yard dwell time regularly exceeds 3 hrs; account for detention losses in break-even models.
- IL sales tax on diesel (unusual — most states exempt) is included in pump price; IFTA reconciles interstate miles.
- Outbound Chicago spot dry-van RPM runs 5–10% above U.S. avg thanks to CPG + steel-belt volume.
2026 IL rate-per-mile benchmarks
| Equipment | IL spot avg | Profitable floor | vs U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Van | $2.11–$2.49/mi | $2.22/mi | +3% |
| Reefer | $2.42–$2.86/mi | $2.54/mi | +3% |
| Flatbed | $2.63–$3.14/mi | $2.76/mi | +3% |
Sources: DAT & Truckstop lane data Q2 2026, adjusted for IL outbound density. Contract rates typically print 8–15% above spot.
Top outbound lanes from Illinois
- Chicago → Dallas
- Chicago → Los Angeles
- Chicago → Atlanta
- Joliet → New York
Frequently asked questions — Illinois
What is the average trucking cost per mile in Illinois in 2026?
In 2026 the average all-in trucking cost per mile for a IL owner-operator runs $1.68–$1.97. That's 4% above the U.S. average of $1.62–$1.89/mi, driven mostly by IL diesel at $3.94/gal and state-specific fuel tax of 78.5¢/gal.
What is a good rate per mile in Illinois in 2026?
A profitable all-in RPM in Illinois starts at roughly $2.22 for dry van, $2.54 for reefer, and $2.76 for flatbed. Spot averages for IL sit at $2.11–$2.49 (van), $2.42–$2.86 (reefer), and $2.63–$3.14 (flatbed) per DAT + Truckstop Q2 2026.
How much is diesel in Illinois right now?
Q2 2026 retail diesel in Illinois averages $3.94/gal (DOE EIA weekly retail). At 6.5 MPG that's roughly $0.61/mi in fuel — before any IFTA credit/debit reconciliation.
How does IFTA affect my cost per mile in Illinois?
IL diesel tax + Cook County + Chicago surcharges make it one of the highest tax states outside CA.
Why is Illinois cost per mile higher the U.S. average?
Chicago is the #1 U.S. intermodal hub. High reload density on outbound RPM, but tolls, drayage times, and Cook County surcharges pressure CPM. Combined with IL diesel at $3.94/gal and state fuel tax of 78.5¢/gal, Illinois's CPM lands 4% above the U.S. average.
What are the strongest freight lanes out of Illinois?
The strongest 2026 outbound IL lanes tracked by DAT and Truckstop are: Chicago → Dallas; Chicago → Los Angeles; Chicago → Atlanta; Joliet → New York. RPM on these lanes typically prints above the IL state average due to reload density and lane-specific demand.