U.S. Trucking Costs Rose 3.4% to $2.336 a Mile in 2025, Outpacing 2.7% Inflation
Updated
Updated · FreightWaves · Jul 15
U.S. Trucking Costs Rose 3.4% to $2.336 a Mile in 2025, Outpacing 2.7% Inflation
3 articles · Updated · FreightWaves · Jul 15
Summary
$2.336 per mile marked average trucking operating costs in 2025, up from $2.260 in 2024, while costs excluding fuel climbed 4.2% to $1.854 per mile.
ATRI said freight rates and tonnage stayed flat versus 2024, leaving carriers to absorb inflationary pressure rather than offset it with stronger pricing.
21.5 cents per mile for repairs and maintenance, 10.6 cents for insurance and 5 cents for tires all rose, while driver wages increased a sub-inflationary 2.5% and benefits jumped 6.6%.
1.6% was the average rise in driver wage costs in the first two months of 2026, while starting bonuses fell to $1,733 from $2,122 and retention bonuses dropped to $1,474.
44.2% turnover in 2025, down from 48%, reflected a softer freight market with fewer openings, even as large truckload fleets still posted turnover above 70%.