For the first time in 2026, customized reports for multiyear participants will include year-on-year comparisons to more closely evaluate trends. (O2O Creative/Getty Images)
February 27, 2026 11:52 AM, EST
Key Takeaways:
- ATRI opened its 2026 Operational Costs of Trucking survey on Feb. 23 with data submissions for 2025 due April 24.
- The survey comes as carrier costs outpace rates for a third year, with 2024 data showing record non‑fuel expenses at $1.78 per mile despite lower fuel and maintenance costs.
- Participating fleets will receive customized benchmarking reports, including new multiyear comparisons, while ATA’s separate 2026 Driver Compensation Study closes March 30.
The American Transportation Research Institute on Feb. 23 launched its annual Operational Costs of Trucking survey. The deadline for participation is April 24.
Carrier costs have been rising faster than rates for more than three years in what has been the longest rate recession in industry memory, with 2025 failing to meet optimistic forecasts made at the start of the year.
Data for 2025 can be submitted online or by PDF via ATRI’s website: truckingresearch.org. All confidential data is protected and published only in anonymized averages.
The report tracks metrics including driver pay, equipment expenditures and insurance premiums, as well as key performance indicators such as non-revenue mileage, driver utilization, mileage between breakdowns and revenue per truck per week.
All participating fleets will receive a customized report comparing their costs and operations to an anonymized peer group of the same sector and size.
For the first time in 2026, customized reports for multiyear participants will include year-on-year comparisons to more closely evaluate trends over time.
“There are signs of growing opportunities for trucking in 2026, but only if fleets can maintain disciplined, nimble operations,” said Hirschbach Motor Lines Chief Financial Officer Andrew Hadland.
“ATRI’s Operational Costs of Trucking and the customized report we receive as participants are important inputs for ensuring healthy performance in our costs and operations despite economic headwinds,” Hadland added.
Hirschbach ranks No. 58 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America and No. 4 among refrigerated van fleets.
The previous Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking survey found that the average cost of operating a truck in 2024 slipped 0.4% versus year-ago levels to $2.26 per mile. However, non-fuel expenses increased 3.6% to $1.78 per mile, a record for non-fuel operating costs, ATRI said.
In 2024, fuel, repair and maintenance expenses fell year on year, but driver wages rose 2.4%; still, that was 0.5% below the level of inflation. ATRI noted that driver wages were the foremost factor in trucking’s cost increases in the three years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drivers themselves fret most about adequate compensation, according to the 21st ATRI critical issues survey, released in October. Truck parking was the No. 2 concern in 2025 for drivers.
A turbulent economic outlook topped the list of overall trucking industry concerns in 2025, with lawsuit abuse and insurance availability rising up the rankings, the survey found.
There were more than 4,200 respondents to the survey. Of those, 47% were from motor carriers and 30% were drivers.
American Trucking Associations launched its 2026 ATA Driver Compensation Study survey Jan. 13. The deadline for participation is March 30.
