Cost Per Mile to Operate a Truck in Texas (2026)
What it actually costs owner-operators to run a semi-truck in Texas — diesel, insurance, IFTA, and freight market notes for TX.
Diesel prices in Texas
The average diesel price in Texas is roughly $3.50/gal. For a truck running 8,000 miles/month at 6.5 MPG, that's about $4,308/month in fuel alone — or roughly $0.54/mile. Fuel is typically 30–40% of total cost per mile, so Texas's diesel price has a major impact on whether a load is profitable.
Trucking insurance in Texas
Texas insurance averages $11,000–$15,000/yr; high claims frequency. Annual premiums vary widely based on CDL history, equipment age, and operating radius.
TX IFTA and fuel taxes
Texas IFTA fuel tax: 20¢/gal diesel. File quarterly and keep accurate trip mileage records by jurisdiction to stay compliant.
Freight market in Texas
Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Laredo — the most active freight state in the US; cross-border Mexico.
How to lower your cost per mile in Texas
- 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.