Texas Trucking Cost Per Mile Calculator
2026 Texas cost-per-mile and rate-per-mile benchmarks for owner-operators and small fleets — with TX-specific diesel, IFTA, and lane data.
- TX diesel: $3.42/gal (Q2 2026)
- TX fuel tax: 44.4¢/gal
- Sources: DOE EIA · ATRI · DAT · Truckstop · IFTA Inc.
The average all-in trucking cost per mile in Texas in 2026 runs $1.56–$1.81/mi — 4% below the U.S. average, driven by TX diesel at $3.42/gal and state fuel tax of 44.4¢/gal. A profitable dry-van RPM floor in TX is $2.11/mi all-in.
- Definition
- Texas Cost Per Mile — A $TX-based operator's cost per mile is total monthly operating cost divided by total miles (loaded + deadhead), adjusted for Texas diesel price, state fuel tax, insurance rates, and IFTA reconciliation.
Why Texas is different
Dallas, Houston, Laredo and Fort Worth are national freight hubs. Laredo cross-border volume, Permian oilfield flatbed, and Houston chemicals drive equipment-specific premiums.
- TX diesel is ~$1.80/gal cheaper than CA — a 6.5 MPG tractor saves roughly $0.28/mi on fuel alone.
- Oil & gas flatbed lanes in the Permian pay $2.90–$3.60/mi loaded but require heavy insurance uplift.
- Laredo cross-border requires C-TPAT / FAST enrollment for premium rates; adds ~$0.02/mi to CPM.
- TX has no state income tax — full-time TX-based owner-operators net more per mile than CA/NY-domiciled peers.
2026 TX rate-per-mile benchmarks
| Equipment | TX spot avg | Profitable floor | vs U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Van | $2.01–$2.37/mi | $2.11/mi | -2% |
| Reefer | $2.30–$2.72/mi | $2.42/mi | -2% |
| Flatbed | $2.50–$2.99/mi | $2.62/mi | -2% |
Sources: DAT & Truckstop lane data Q2 2026, adjusted for TX outbound density. Contract rates typically print 8–15% above spot.
Top outbound lanes from Texas
- Laredo → Dallas
- Houston → Atlanta
- Dallas → Los Angeles
- Fort Worth → Chicago
Frequently asked questions — Texas
What is the average trucking cost per mile in Texas in 2026?
In 2026 the average all-in trucking cost per mile for a TX owner-operator runs $1.56–$1.81. That's 4% below the U.S. average of $1.62–$1.89/mi, driven mostly by TX diesel at $3.42/gal and state-specific fuel tax of 44.4¢/gal.
What is a good rate per mile in Texas in 2026?
A profitable all-in RPM in Texas starts at roughly $2.11 for dry van, $2.42 for reefer, and $2.62 for flatbed. Spot averages for TX sit at $2.01–$2.37 (van), $2.30–$2.72 (reefer), and $2.50–$2.99 (flatbed) per DAT + Truckstop Q2 2026.
How much is diesel in Texas right now?
Q2 2026 retail diesel in Texas averages $3.42/gal (DOE EIA weekly retail). At 6.5 MPG that's roughly $0.53/mi in fuel — before any IFTA credit/debit reconciliation.
How does IFTA affect my cost per mile in Texas?
Low state diesel tax ($0.20/gal) + PADD 3 refinery access keep fuel among the lowest per-mile costs in the U.S.
Why is Texas cost per mile lower the U.S. average?
Dallas, Houston, Laredo and Fort Worth are national freight hubs. Laredo cross-border volume, Permian oilfield flatbed, and Houston chemicals drive equipment-specific premiums. Combined with TX diesel at $3.42/gal and state fuel tax of 44.4¢/gal, Texas's CPM lands 4% below the U.S. average.
What are the strongest freight lanes out of Texas?
The strongest 2026 outbound TX lanes tracked by DAT and Truckstop are: Laredo → Dallas; Houston → Atlanta; Dallas → Los Angeles; Fort Worth → Chicago. RPM on these lanes typically prints above the TX state average due to reload density and lane-specific demand.