Trucking isn’t just about getting freight from Point A to Point B—it’s a business built on margins, efficiency, and cost control. Every mile driven comes with a price tag: fuel, driver wages, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and equipment financing. In an industry where costs keep rising, staying ahead means more than just working harder—it means working smarter.
This is why the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is calling on for-hire motor carriers of all sizes to contribute to its 2024 Operational Costs of Trucking Report.
This study is the gold standard in the industry—it provides the most accurate trucking cost data available and helps fleets make better financial decisions, benchmark expenses, and stay competitive. But to get the best, most relevant data, ATRI needs real numbers from real fleets—like yours.
Participating in this study isn’t just about helping the industry—it’s about helping your own business. When you submit your operational cost data, you receive a customized benchmarking report that lets you see how your fleet compares to similar-sized operations. These insights can help you:
Cut unnecessary expenses Improve fuel efficiency Negotiate better contracts Strengthen pricing strategies Boost overall profitability
And the best part? It’s completely confidential. ATRI ensures that all submitted data is aggregated and anonymized before publishing, so your company’s financial details remain private.
Why This Report Matters to You
Let’s be honest—trucking isn’t getting any cheaper. With rising fuel prices, unpredictable insurance hikes, growing wage demands, and increased maintenance costs, trucking businesses need accurate, up-to-date financial data to survive and thrive.
Many fleet owners find themselves asking the same questions:
- Are my driver wages competitive?
- Am I paying too much for insurance?
- How do my maintenance costs compare to similar fleets?
- Where am I losing money without realizing it?
Without industry benchmarks, these questions are hard to answer. But ATRI’s study gives you those answers. Instead of guessing where your business stands, you’ll get real-world data to make smarter, more informed decisions.
What ATRI is Collecting—and Why It Matters
The 2024 Operational Costs of Trucking Report will track the key expenses that determine profitability in the industry. ATRI is gathering cost data from owner-operators, small fleets, and major carriers to provide a complete financial snapshot of trucking.
For this year’s report, ATRI is specifically collecting data on:
Driver wages & benefits – Ensuring your pay structure stays competitive Equipment lease and purchase costs – Tracking truck and trailer expenses Insurance premiums – Identifying rising costs and trends in coverage Fuel & maintenance expenses – Understanding where efficiencies can be improved Non-revenue miles – Measuring the financial impact of empty miles Dwell time per stop – Helping fleets minimize lost time at loading docks
The power of this data is that it allows trucking businesses to see exactly where they stand compared to their peers. That means better budgeting, stronger pricing strategies, and more efficient operations.
Trucking Costs Keep Rising—Are You Keeping Up?
If you’ve been in the industry for even a few years, you’ve seen costs increase across the board. According to ATRI’s 2023 report, the cost per mile to operate a truck hit $2.27 per mile—a 0.8% increase from the previous year.
Here’s where trucking companies saw the biggest increases:
- Truck & trailer payments: Increased 8.8% to $0.36 per mile
- Driver wages: Rose 7.6% to $0.779 per mile
- Repair & maintenance costs: Climbed 3.1% to $0.202 per mile
- Insurance premiums: Jumped 12.5% to $0.099 per mile
- Fuel costs: Dropped 13.7% but still remain a major expense at $0.553 per mile
While the drop in fuel costs provided some relief, other expenses—especially insurance and maintenance—continue to climb.
If your business isn’t tracking costs effectively, you could be losing thousands of dollars every year without realizing it.
This is where ATRI’s report becomes invaluable. Knowing how your expenses compare to industry averages helps you find problem areas before they drain your bottom line.
How This Data Helps Fleets Stay Profitable
Numbers don’t lie. The data in ATRI’s Operational Costs of Trucking Report is used by fleets across North America to:
Adjust pricing to stay profitable – With accurate cost data, you can charge what your services are worth without guessing. Negotiate better contracts – When you know industry benchmarks, you have leverage at the negotiating table. Improve fleet efficiency – Spotting inefficiencies in fuel consumption, maintenance, and operations can save thousands. Plan smarter investments – Whether it’s leasing vs. buying equipment or adjusting driver pay, better data means better decisions.
According to Robert Howard, COO of Dohrn Transfer Company, access to ATRI’s data has been a game-changer.
“This information helps every carrier benchmark their financials and prepare for contract negotiations. Equally valuable are the customized insights into how our costs and performance measure up to our peers in this challenging freight market.”
In other words—you can’t fix what you don’t measure. ATRI’s study provides real solutions based on real numbers.
How to Participate and Get Exclusive Data
Submitting your data is quick, easy, and 100% confidential. ATRI allows carriers to submit their cost data online or via a simple PDF form.
For owner-operators, ATRI has created a streamlined version that makes participation even easier.
The deadline to submit data is Friday, April 25, 2025.
Participating fleets will receive early access to the final report, along with a customized benchmarking summary showing exactly how their fleet’s expenses compare to similar operations.
Take Control of Your Costs—Don’t Just Guess
The trucking industry is becoming more competitive every day. Smart fleet owners know that financial success isn’t just about making money—it’s about managing costs effectively.
By participating in ATRI’s 2024 Operational Costs of Trucking Report, you’ll gain powerful insights that can help you:
Stay competitive in a challenging freight market Identify ways to cut costs and improve efficiency Make better pricing and contract decisions Keep your business profitable for the long haul
Don’t leave your financial future up to chance. Be part of ATRI’s study and get the data you need to run a stronger, more profitable trucking business.
Submission Deadline: April 25, 2025
Submit Your Data Here
Gain exclusive access to our CDL & DOT Compliance articles with a trial at DOTDocs.com. And don’t forget to claim your FREE micro audit at THE ECLIPSE DOT MICRO AUDIT. Ready for seamless operations? Discover the difference today!