#USA #Washington #trucking #ATRI #operational costs

Overview of the 2026 ATRI Report

On July 15, 2026, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) unveiled their latest report, the 2026 Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking. This report provides an essential benchmark for the trucking industry, illustrating current trends in operational costs and their consequences for transportation companies.

Rising Costs

According to the report, the average cost to operate a truck in 2025 reached $2.336 per mile, marking a 3.4% increase from the previous year. This rate is the highest recorded in the history of the report. Excluding fuel, operational costs also rose by 4.2%, leading to a figure of $1.854 per mile. Each major category of expense saw upward movement, indicating persistent inflation within the sector.

The sharpest increases were noted in tolls (up 13.2%), repair and maintenance (up 8.6%), driver benefits (up 6.6%), and tires (up 6.4%). While these categories reflected rapid growth, costs associated with fuel and driver pay were the only exceptions, rising at a rate lower than inflation for the second consecutive year.

Fleet Spending Insights

The disparity in spending between different fleet sizes underscores the complexities faced by companies in adapting to varying economic climates. Small fleets managed to reduce their expenditure on trucks and trailers in 2025 compared to the previous year, while larger truckload fleets (those operating more than 1,000 trucks) experienced a significant expenditure increase of 16.1%. Data collected in the first quarter of 2026 indicates that these trends are likely to continue, reinforcing concerns about the sustainability of current cost structures within the industry.

Capacity Reduction and Its Effects

In response to rising costs alongside stagnant freight rates, there has been a notable contraction in freight capacity. This situation marks the largest reduction since the commencement of the freight recession in 2022, with truck counts decreasing by 2.4% and approximately 10% of trucks left unseated on average. Metrics reflecting the industry's prolonged downturn reveal an increase in average truck age and annual mileage, while deadhead mileage remains elevated.

Moreover, non-driver staffing levels have been cut down by 7.8%, which poses further challenges to operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Profitability Concerns

Despite the aggressive cost reduction measures adopted by carriers, profitability has remained a major concern. While operational margins improved slightly for truckload and refrigerated carriers, they still fell short of 1.0%. Conversely, tank carriers reported an average margin of 4.0%. Interestingly, less-than-truckload carriers (LTLs) and larger fleets achieved healthier margins that were flat year-over-year. In stark contrast, flatbed carriers faced average operating losses of -0.5%.

The Future Outlook

Chad Marsilio, the Chief Operating Officer of PGT Trucking, Inc., expressed optimism as freight rates appear to be steadily improving in 2026. However, he cautioned that the accelerating industry-wide costs necessitate continued aggressive cost management strategies among fleets. ATRI's operational cost benchmarks play a crucial role in aiding carriers to align their cost management with performance metrics for a successful recovery in the trucking industry.

The comprehensive report is accessible through ATRI's website, where participating carriers can also receive a tailored report that benchmarks their operations against similar anonymized peer groups.

Conclusion

The release of the ATRI report serves as a critical warning for stakeholders across the trucking sector, highlighting the urgent need to address rising operational costs and low profitability. As the industry navigates precarious financial landscapes, understanding these trends will be vital for maintaining operational viability and ensuring long-term sustainability in a highly competitive market.