Trucking Jobs: Colorado vs Utah
Side-by-side comparison of salaries, cost of living, taxes, job availability, freight routes, and CDL requirements for truck drivers.
Higher Pay
Colorado
Lower COL
Utah
More Jobs
Colorado
Lower Tax
Comparable
Salary Comparison
Colorado wins| Metric | Colorado | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $63,000 |
| Salary Range | $52,000 - $78,000 | $50,000 - $76,000 |
| Minimum | $52,000 | $50,000 |
| Maximum | $78,000 | $76,000 |
Cost of Living & Taxes
Utah wins| Metric | Colorado | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| COL Index (100 = national avg) | 105 | 101 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% flat | 4.65% flat |
Job Availability
Colorado wins| Metric | Colorado | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Job Availability Rating | High | Moderate |
| Est. Annual CDL Openings | 7,800 | 4,800 |
Top Trucking Companies
Colorado
- 1Total Quality Logistics
- 2Transwest
- 3Groendyke Transport
- 4Western Distributing
- 5Bailey Motor Carriers
Utah
- 1C.R. England (HQ Salt Lake City)
- 2England Logistics
- 3Kenco Logistics
- 4Savage Companies
- 5Overstock (private fleet)
Key Freight Routes
Colorado
- I-70 (Denver–mountains–Grand Junction)
- I-25 (Fort Collins–Pueblo)
- I-76 (Denver–NE border)
- US-40 (mountain alt route)
Utah
- I-15 (Salt Lake–Provo–St. George–Vegas)
- I-80 (Salt Lake–Reno/WY)
- I-70 (central UT–CO)
- I-84 (Ogden–Boise)
CDL Requirements
Colorado
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Colorado DOR requires ELDT and skills test at approved locations.
Utah
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Utah DLD administers CDL testing.
Weather & Driving Conditions
Colorado
Weather
Snowy winters in mountains, blizzards on eastern plains. Mild summers in Denver, extreme cold at elevation.
Driving Challenges
Eisenhower Tunnel elevation (11,158 ft), I-70 mountain grades, winter chain laws, Denver metro construction on I-25.
Utah
Weather
Cold, snowy winters (lake-effect snow near SLC). Hot dry summers. Mountain conditions variable.
Driving Challenges
I-80 mountain passes, winter inversions reducing visibility in SLC valley, I-15 construction, high altitude.
Overall Comparison Summary
Higher Pay
CO
Lower COL
UT
More Jobs
CO
Lower Tax
Tie
Colorado leads in 2 of 4 categories. However, the best state for you depends on your specific situation—freight specialization, family location, and career goals all matter.
Frequently Asked Questions: Colorado vs Utah
How does trucking compare between Colorado and Utah?
Colorado has more openings (7,800 vs 4,800) and slightly higher pay ($52K–$78K vs $50K–$76K). Colorado's 4.4% flat tax is close to Utah's 4.65%. Costs of living are similar (105 vs 101). Utah has C.R. England (one of the largest carriers in the US) headquartered in Salt Lake City, providing strong local employment.
Which state has more challenging mountain driving?
Colorado is generally considered more challenging—the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 sits at 11,158 feet, and grades on both sides are steep with frequent closures. Utah's I-80 and I-15 mountain passes are significant but typically at lower elevation. Both states enforce chain laws in winter.
What freight lanes connect Colorado and Utah?
I-70 connects Denver through the mountains to Grand Junction and into Utah toward Green River and I-15. I-80 runs through southern Wyoming connecting the two states' northern corridors. Freight between Denver and Salt Lake City is steady—consumer goods, construction materials, and energy sector equipment.
Explore Each State
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