Cost Per Mile to Operate a Truck in Massachusetts (2026)
What it actually costs owner-operators to run a semi-truck in Massachusetts — diesel, insurance, IFTA, and freight market notes for MA.
Diesel prices in Massachusetts
The average diesel price in Massachusetts is roughly $4.10/gal. For a truck running 8,000 miles/month at 6.5 MPG, that's about $5,046/month in fuel alone — or roughly $0.63/mile. Fuel is typically 30–40% of total cost per mile, so Massachusetts's diesel price has a major impact on whether a load is profitable.
Trucking insurance in Massachusetts
Massachusetts insurance averages $12,000–$16,000/yr. Annual premiums vary widely based on CDL history, equipment age, and operating radius.
MA IFTA and fuel taxes
Massachusetts IFTA fuel tax: 24¢/gal diesel. File quarterly and keep accurate trip mileage records by jurisdiction to stay compliant.
Freight market in Massachusetts
Boston metro — pharmaceuticals, seafood, and Northeast retail; congestion is severe.
How to lower your cost per mile in Massachusetts
- Track diesel by region — refuel where the all-in price (pump + state tax) is lowest.
- Negotiate fuel surcharge into every contract using a clear formula tied to the DOE index.
- Reduce deadhead — a 20% deadhead ratio adds 25% to your effective cost per loaded mile.
- Run our Cost Per Mile Calculator monthly with real receipts, not estimates.