Cost Per Mile to Operate a Truck in Montana (2026)
What it actually costs owner-operators to run a semi-truck in Montana — diesel, insurance, IFTA, and freight market notes for MT.
Diesel prices in Montana
The average diesel price in Montana is roughly $3.90/gal. For a truck running 8,000 miles/month at 6.5 MPG, that's about $4,800/month in fuel alone — or roughly $0.60/mile. Fuel is typically 30–40% of total cost per mile, so Montana's diesel price has a major impact on whether a load is profitable.
Trucking insurance in Montana
Montana insurance averages $9,500–$13,000/yr. Annual premiums vary widely based on CDL history, equipment age, and operating radius.
MT IFTA and fuel taxes
Montana IFTA fuel tax: 29.75¢/gal diesel. File quarterly and keep accurate trip mileage records by jurisdiction to stay compliant.
Freight market in Montana
Long-haul agriculture, lumber, and oilfield from the Bakken — high deadhead.
How to lower your cost per mile in Montana
- 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.