📉 ATRI Report: Rising Costs Push Fleets Into the Red — Is the Freight Game Broken?

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Introduction – When the wheels turn, but the profits vanish

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) just dropped its highly anticipated 2025 Ops Costs Report, and the results ain’t pretty: Truckload carriers averaged a -2.3% operating margin.

Translation? More fleets are running loads at a loss — and it ain’t just about fuel prices this time.

From insurance premiums to equipment costs to repair bills that could buy a used car, non-fuel operating expenses are choking out margins. And with freight rates still floating in the shallow end of the pool, carriers big and small are feeling the squeeze.

Let’s unpack what this report really means — and whether trucking is still worth it.

Key Stats – What’s happening to fleet profits?

📉 Average operating margin: -2.3% – That means for every dollar brought in, truckload fleets are losing 2.3 cents. Multiply that across millions of miles? Yeah… ouch.

💸 Non-fuel costs up big – Driver wages, maintenance, equipment financing, and insurance have all skyrocketed.

🛠️ Repair costs – Parts are harder to find, labor rates are up, and downtime is eating into profits like never before.

🚚 Smaller fleets hit harder – With less buying power and higher per-truck costs, independent carriers are being bled dry.

📦 Contract vs spot market – Many carriers locked in contracts that no longer cover rising expenses — and spot rates? Still flatlined.

Multiple Perspectives – Who’s feeling the pain?

👨‍🔧 Fleet owners – “We’re hauling freight just to keep drivers working and trucks moving — there’s no money in it anymore.” Many say they’re operating in survival mode.

🚛 Drivers – Some are getting raises… but others are seeing their bonuses or miles cut back. "They told me fuel was the problem. Now it’s insurance. Next it'll be air."

💼 Brokers – “We’re stuck in the middle. Shippers want rock-bottom rates, and carriers want to cover their costs. Everyone’s mad.”

📊 Analysts – Some economists warn this could lead to a wave of small fleet closures, while others say it’s a temporary correction after pandemic-era profits.

What’s Causing It – Not just diesel this time

Fuel always gets the blame, but the ATRI report shows that non-fuel costs are the real culprit in 2025:

Insurance premiums are rising fast, especially for small fleets and O/Os.

Truck payments are insane — thanks to higher interest rates and expensive new tech.

Maintenance is pricier than ever, with older trucks needing more TLC and fewer shops offering fast turnarounds.

Wages are up (good!), but without revenue to match, it becomes a drain on thin margins.

It’s like trying to fill a bucket with holes in the bottom. You pour more in (freight), but it keeps leaking out in repairs, premiums, and payments.

The Ripple Effect – What this means for drivers and the industry

📉 Fleet shutdowns – We’re already seeing more MC numbers go inactive, and expect that trend to grow as Q3 approaches.

🧾 Rate pressure – Shippers will use this data to justify lower contract renewals, even though carriers are bleeding.

📦 Service quality – Expect slower freight cycles, longer lead times, and more driver turnover as carriers cut costs.

⚠️ Risk of a freight cliff – If too many fleets drop out, capacity shrinks fast — and we could see a sudden rate spike followed by another crash.

The Bottom Line – Is this the new normal for trucking?

It might be time to accept that the "easy money" days are over. This ATRI report shows us what many truckers already know:

“We’re working harder, for less, with more stress than ever.”

But it’s also a wake-up call.

If you’re running a fleet or hauling loads yourself, you’ve got to:

Trim fat where possible — cut deadhead miles, renegotiate contracts, and automate admin work.

Diversify — look at specialized freight, niche lanes, or premium services.

Plan an exit strategy — not necessarily out of trucking, but out of the rat race.

Because this industry isn’t guaranteed to pay what it used to — unless you evolve.

💬 Are you feeling the cost crunch? What’s killing your margin? Drop a comment and let’s get real about what’s going on out here.

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