Hey truckers, ever feel like your wallet’s playing tug-of-war with rising marginal costs while that’s big overall number finally eases up? ATRI’s just dropped their 2025 update on trucking operational costs, and it’s got some news that hits right in the cab.
According to the American Transportation Research Institute’s latest Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, the industry’s average cost to run a rig in 2024 clocked in at $2.26 per mile—a tiny 0.4% dip from the year before. That’s a breath of fresh air after years of climbing expenses, right? But don’t pop the champagne just yet. While the overall figure edged down (thanks in part to softer fuel prices), some key marginal costs shot up like a bad load on a steep grade. 🚛💸
Truck drivers, this means your take-home could be feeling the squeeze in spots like maintenance, tires, or even benefits—stuff that bites at the edges of your paycheck. For owner-ops, it’s a reminder to track those sneaky line items that can turn a decent run into a break-even haul. The report’s based on real fleet data, so it’s straight talk on what lanes and ops are costing us most right now.
ATRI’s been crunching these numbers for years, and this update shows the freight market’s still tough, with loads down but costs not fully cooling off. If you’re benchmarking your own setup, grab the full report from their site—it’s gold for negotiating rates or spotting where to cut back. 📊
Bottom line: That slight dip is progress, but watch those jumping marginals before your next PM. Know this before your next haul—could save you a few bucks on the road.
Share your take in the comments: What’s the biggest cost eater in your rig right now?
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