Best Invoice App for Trucking Companies in Chicago, IL
Chicago is a union-heavy market with strict licensing and strong demand for residential trades. Glo Invoice is the invoicing app trucking pros across the Chicago metro use to quote jobs, get signed approvals, send invoices by text, and accept card payments on the spot.
Estimated trucking ranges in Chicago, IL
Modeled estimate, not a survey of local prices: a national starting range scaled by Chicago's approximate cost-of-living index (~110%). Set your own prices based on your costs and market.
| Service | Chicago range |
|---|---|
| Per-mile rate (dry van) | $2–$4 |
| Fuel surcharge (per mile) | $0–$1 |
| Detention (per hour) | $55–$110 |
Want to work backwards from your own overhead? Use the hourly rate calculator or the markup calculator.
What a Chicago trucker invoice looks like
A worked example on a typical per-mile rate (dry van) job at the Chicago midpoint ($3), split 40% parts / 60% labor.
| Parts / materials | $1 |
| Labor | $2 |
| Subtotal | $3 |
| Illinois state sales tax on parts (6.25%)Local city/county rates are added on top of the state rate. | $0 |
| Card processing if paid by card (2.9% + 30¢) | $0 |
| Invoice total | $3 |
Glo Invoice does this math per line item, so taxable parts and non-taxable labor never get mixed up. Check your combined local rate with the sales tax calculator.
Illinois tax and paperwork for trucking work
State sales tax rate
6.25%
Chicago and IL counties may add local rates.
Parts vs labor
Bill them separately
Materials are commonly taxable while labor treatment varies by job type.
Where to confirm
Illinois Department of Revenue
Rates and rules change — verify before you file.
More detail in the sales tax guide for service businesses and the guide to starting a business in Illinois.
What every Chicago trucker invoice needs
BOL / load number on every invoice
Pickup and delivery dates + locations
Accessorial breakdown (detention, lumper, fuel surcharge)
MC / DOT number
Net-30 or factoring-friendly terms
Why trucking businesses in Chicago pick Glo Invoice
Made for the trades
Per-line tax for Illinois, parts vs labor splits, photo attachments, and signed estimates.
Text-first delivery
Chicago customers open texts. Glo Invoice sends invoices over SMS — and includes a one-tap pay link.
Get paid same day
Built-in card payments through your connected Stripe or Square account, and Tap to Pay lets you charge on the spot.
Works on bad signal
Built for job sites, garages, and basements — drafts save locally and sync when you're back online.
Trucking Companies in Chicago: common questions
How much should a trucker charge in Chicago?
Chicago's cost index runs about 110% of the national average, so we scale a national starting range by it. Modeled estimates (not a survey of local prices): Per-mile rate (dry van): $2–$4; Fuel surcharge (per mile): $0–$1; Detention (per hour): $55–$110. Price above the range when you carry higher insurance, licensing, or emergency availability.
Do trucking businesses charge sales tax in Chicago?
Illinois's state rate is 6.25%, and Chicago and its county typically add local rates on top. Materials are usually taxable; whether labor is taxable depends on the type of work, so confirm your situation with the Illinois Department of Revenue. Glo Invoice applies tax per line item, so parts and labor are handled separately.
What should a Chicago trucker invoice include?
BOL / load number on every invoice, Pickup and delivery dates + locations, Accessorial breakdown (detention, lumper, fuel surcharge), MC / DOT number, Net-30 or factoring-friendly terms. Add payment terms, a due date, and your license number where Illinois requires it.
How fast do trucking invoices get paid?
Invoices sent by text with a pay link are typically paid far faster than mailed or emailed PDFs, because customers can pay from the notification. Charging on site with Tap to Pay removes the wait entirely.
Can I take card payments on the job in Chicago?
Yes. Glo Invoice supports card payments and Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android, so you can collect before you leave the driveway. Card processing costs about 2.9% + 30¢, which you can pass along as a line item where Illinois law allows.
Is there a free trial?
Yes — 14 days free with full access, including estimates, invoices, recurring billing, and expense tracking. No charge until the trial ends.
Other trades in Chicago
Trucking Companies in nearby cities
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