Report: Trucking Costs Climbed Steeply in 2022

The trucking industry continued to face higher costs in 2022, continuing the trend from 2021, according to a new report. 

Marginal costs increased 21.3 percent from 2021, according to a report from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), rising to a record $2.251 per mile. 

Fuel was the main culprit behind the jump, as those costs were up 53.7 percent in 2022 from 2021. In general, larger fleets saw an improved average operating margin from 2021 to 2022, while smaller fleets went in the other direction, according to the report. 

On the equipment side, supply chain challenges triggered an 18.6 percent increase in truck and tractor payments, with repair and maintenance costs rising 12 percent. 

With many companies trying to attract and retain drivers, wages increased 15.5 percent to $0.724 per mile, the report stated.