The Rising Cost of Trucking: What the Latest ATRI Data Means for Shippers
The cost of moving freight by truck is climbing again—and the latest data from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) shows why. According to ATRI’s 2026 Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking , the average cost of operating a truck reached $2.336 per mile in 2025, a 3.4% increase from the previous year and the highest per-mile cost recorded in ATRI’s history. Even more telling, operating costs excluding fuel increased 4.2% to $1.854 per mile. The findings come at an important time for manufacturers, distributors and other freight shippers. Transportation costs are not simply determined by the price of diesel. Driver compensation, equipment, insurance, maintenance, tolls and other operating expenses all influence what it costs a carrier to put a truck on the road. For shippers, understanding these cost pressures is increasingly important when developing transportation budgets, negotiating freight rates and choosing a carrier. Trucking C...