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ATRI released its 2026 operating-cost report in August using 2025 carrier data. That benchmark is useful, but your own truck, lanes, equipment, and business structure determine your real cost.

What the 2026 report showed

  • Average operating cost reached $2.336 per mile in 2025.
  • Total cost increased 3.4% from the previous year.
  • Cost excluding fuel rose 4.2% to $1.854 per mile.

Numbers every small fleet should track

  • Fuel cost per mile
  • Equipment payments and interest
  • Insurance
  • Maintenance and tires
  • Driver pay and benefits
  • Tolls, permits, technology, and overhead
  • Empty miles, detention, and downtime

Do not overlook downtime

The repair invoice is only part of the cost. Towing, hotels, missed loads, replacement equipment, lost driving time, and customer problems can make one breakdown far more expensive.

A national benchmark shows the direction of the industry. Your own updated cost per mile tells you whether a specific load works for your business.

Calculate your own cost per mile

Add the operating costs for a consistent period, then divide by all business miles driven during that period. Use loaded and empty miles. Leaving out deadhead makes the cost look lower than it really is.

Fixed costs

  • Truck and trailer payments
  • Insurance
  • Licensing, permits, and subscriptions
  • Office and administrative overhead

Variable costs

  • Fuel and DEF
  • Maintenance and tires
  • Tolls and scales
  • Driver pay tied to miles or loads
  • Parking, lodging, and other trip expenses

Use more than one number

  • All-in cost per mile: The full cost of keeping the business operating.
  • Trip cash cost: The cash required to run a particular load right now.
  • Maintenance cost by unit: Helps identify equipment that is becoming expensive to keep.
  • Revenue per all mile: Shows what the truck earned after empty miles are counted.

Review the numbers monthly and after a large change in fuel, insurance, equipment payments, or maintenance.

Archive notice

This article reflects the ATRI report released in August 2026 using 2025 data. Readers should use the newest available report and their own current operating records.

How Capital Depot can help

If customer payment timing is putting pressure on fuel, repairs, insurance, or payroll, Capital Depot can help approved carriers explore a more predictable funding process.

Have questions about what this means for your trucking business? Call Capital Depot and let us help.



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