According to today's USDA Grain Transportation Report, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) recently released its 2023 update to An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking report.
According to the report, the estimated costs of operating a truck in 2022 were $2.251 per mile—the highest costs on record and the first time they surpassed $2 per mile.
This rise was due to a 54-% increase in the price of fuel from 2021 to 2022—the largest vehicle-based cost.
Also, from 2021 to 2022, driver wages rose 16%, reflecting ongoing challenges to attract and retain drivers.
Over the same period, truck/trailer lease or purchase payments rose 19%, largely because of supply chain delays. In addition, parts shortages and rising technician labor rates raised repair and maintenance costs 12%.
Large fleets’ average operating margins improved from 2021 to 2022, while small fleets’ operating margins declined.
Finally, from 2021 to 2022, driver turnover, detention times, and equipment use each improved for almost every fleet size and sector.