An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking: 2011 Update 

The Problem 

In late 2008, ATRI published An Analysis of the 

Operational Costs of Trucking in an effort to 

provide more accurate average cost data for 

motor carrier operations. Although several 

previous studies had conducted analyses of the 

more nebulous “value of travel time,” very few 

had accurately calculated the direct costs of 

trucking operations. Consequently, ATRI 

undertook research to document and quantify 

motor carriers’ key marginal costs, stratified by 

fleet size, sector and region of the country. After 

more than 1,000 requests for the original report, 

ATRI updated the 2008 publication based on 

2009 and first quarter (Q1) 2010 data. 

Research Approach 

In order to update the findings from the 2008 

ATRI Operational Costs of Trucking study, this 

research initiative identified 2009 and Q1 2010 

motor carrier costs derived directly from fleet 

operations. The resulting dataset could then be 

used by motor carriers as a high-level 

benchmarking tool and by government agencies 

for infrastructure improvement analyses. 

Methodology 

This research utilized an updated version of the 

survey that was previously administered in 2008. 

The survey, which was based on common 

industry metrics, was beta-tested with several 

motor carriers. Respondents included truckload 

(TL), less-than-truckload (LTL) and specialized 

carriers of various sizes that operated in different 

regions of the country. Survey responses were 

aggregated and analyzed. 

Based on feedback from the 2008 study, ATRI 

revised its per-truck speed calculation 

methodology to better reflect the range of 

speeds at which trucks operate. ATRI also 

updated its methodology to weight survey 

responses to reflect the national average for-hire 

sector breakouts. 

To reflect these methodological changes and 

allow for year-over-year comparisons, 2008, 

2009 and Q1 2010 cost per mile (CPM) and cost 

per hour (CPH) figures included in the report are 

based on the revised methodology and are not 

directly comparable to the previous figures 

presented in the Operational Costs of Trucking

report published in 2008. 

Findings 

The average marginal CPM was $1.45 in 2009 

and $1.49 in Q1 2010 for the for-hire segment of 

the trucking industry. These figures were lower 

than the average marginal CPM of $1.65 found 

in the revised 2008 operational cost analysis. 
Average Marginal Costs per Mile, 2008, 2009, Q1 2010 

Motor Carrier Marginal 

Expenses 2008 2009 

Q1 

2010 

Vehicle-based 

Fuel & Oil Costs $0.633 $0.405 $0.465 

Truck/Trailer Lease or 

Purchase Payments $0.213 $0.257 $0.235 

Repair & Maintenance $0.103 $0.123 $0.120 

Truck Insurance 

Premiums $0.055 $0.054 $0.052 

Permits and Licenses $0.016 $0.029 $0.023 

Tires $0.030 $0.029 $0.026 

Tolls $0.024 $0.024 $0.024 

Driver-based 

Driver Wages $0.435 $0.403 $0.404 

Driver Benefits $0.144 $0.128 $0.142 

TOTAL† $1.653 $1.451 $1.491 

These costs can then be translated from per-mile 

calculations to hourly figures, using an 

empirically-derived average industry operational 

speed of 39.98 miles per hour. The total 

average industry CPH was $59.61 in Q1 2010, 

which was higher than the $58.00 found in 2009, 

but below the newly revised $66.07 found in 

2008. 

Average Marginal Costs per Hour, 2008, 2009, Q1 2010 

Motor Carrier Marginal 

Expenses 2008 2009 

Q1 

2010 

Vehicle-based 

Fuel & Oil Costs $25.30 $16.17 $18.59 

Truck/Trailer Lease or 

Purchase Payments $8.52 $10.28 $9.39 

Repair & Maintenance $4.11 $4.90 $4.81 

Truck Insurance 

Premiums $2.22 $2.15 $2.06 

Permits and Licenses $0.62 $1.15 $0.92 

Tires $1.20 $1.14 $1.06 

Tolls $0.95 $0.98 $0.95 

Driver-based 

Driver Wages $17.38 $16.12 $16.17 

Driver Benefits $5.77 $5.11 $5.67 

TOTAL† $66.07 $58.00 $59.61 

Fuel and driver wages (excluding benefits) 

continued to be the largest cost centers for 

carriers, constituting 58 percent of the average 

operating cost in Q1 2010. Lease or purchase 

payments were the third largest cost center, 

constituting 16 percent of costs in Q1 2010, 

followed by driver benefits at 10 percent, repair 

 

† Line items may not sum to total shown due to rounding.

and maintenance at 8 percent, and insurance at 

3 percent. 

Share of Total Marginal Cost, 2008, 2009, Q1 2010 

Motor Carrier Marginal 

Expenses 2008 2009 

Q1 

2010 

Vehicle-based 

Fuel & Oil Costs 38% 28% 31% 

Truck/Trailer Lease or 

Purchase Payments 13% 18% 16% 

Repair & Maintenance 6% 8% 8% 

Truck Insurance 

Premiums 3% 4% 3% 

Permits and Licenses 1% 2% 2% 

Tires 2% 2% 2% 

Tolls 1% 2% 2% 

Driver-based 

Driver Wages 26% 28% 27% 

Driver Benefits 9% 9% 10% 

TOTAL† 100% 100% 100% 

The rise in average marginal cost experienced 

between 2009 and Q1 2010 is expected to 

continue based on macroeconomic and industry 

trends. Given the rise in fuel prices that was 

experienced in 2010 and is forecasted to 

continue through 2011 and 2012, motor carrier 

average marginal fuel costs are almost certain to 

rise. Furthermore, the freight demand increases 

associated with the economic recovery are 

expected to create both a driver shortage and a 

requirement for carriers to upgrade their aging 

fleets. All of these factors will continue to place 

upward pressure on motor carrier marginal 

operating costs in the foreseeable future. 

To receive a copy of this report and other ATRI 

studies, please visit: WWW.ATRI-ONLINE.ORG

ATRI’s primary mission is to conduct transportation 

research with an emphasis on the trucking industry’s 

essential role in the U.S. and international marketplace.