The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has released its 2025 Operational Costs of Trucking report, and the numbers tell a sobering truth. While the industry's average cost per mile dropped slightly to $2.260 in 2024 (a modest 0.4% decrease from 2023), small carriers and owner-operators are under more pressure than ever.For independent truckers, this report isn't just a collection of statistics; it's a wake-up call. In a market with falling spot rates, rising fixed expenses, and tighter margins, running lean and staying liquid is no longer optional. It's the only way to stay in the game.
Let's break down what this means—and what small fleets can do about it.
For small carriers and owner-operators, the biggest hit in 2024 wasn't just rising costs—it was the sharp drop in spot market rates. While the cost per mile declined slightly, spot rates fell by nearly 15–20% year-over-year, especially in the van, reefer, and flatbed sectors.
That growing gap between revenue and expenses pushed many small fleets dangerously close to operating at a loss.
Unlike large fleets, small carriers can't rely on long-term contracts to shield themselves from market volatility. Every load is a gamble—booked at market prices that often don't reflect rising operating costs. In this environment, many are forced to work harder, haul more miles, and earn less.
The 2025 ATRI report confirms what small carriers already know: fixed costs remain stubbornly high, regardless of how much freight you're moving. But for owner-operators and small fleets, these costs cut deeper.
According to the report:
Whether you haul five loads a week or just one, these overhead costs remain constant. When freight slows down or spot rates drop, each mile you run carries more financial pressure, and each idle day chips away at your margins.
To make matters worse, with equipment payments up more than 52% since 2019, newer trucks have become increasingly out of reach. The result? Many small carriers rely on outdated equipment, resulting in higher maintenance costs. When breakdowns occur and there's no backup unit, downtime becomes financially devastating.
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Fuel averaged $0.419 per mile in 2024, still one of the largest expenses for small fleets. While prices stabilized somewhat in early 2025, they remain unpredictable, particularly with the ongoing global risks and regional price disparities.
Unlike large fleets, most small businesses can't delay purchases or negotiate bulk fuel pricing. Many owner-operators are left paying retail prices, often without access to reliable surcharge mechanisms.
ATRI notes that while fuel costs fell in 2024, non-fuel costs rose 3.6%, offsetting any relief at the pump. That's why fuel cards with rebates have become essential tools for improving margins— yet many small fleets still aren't taking advantage of them.
ATRI's report confirms that dwell time, detention, and empty miles continue to rise. While large fleets may absorb these inefficiencies across broader operations, for small fleets, every unpaid hour and unproductive mile hits home.
According to ATRI:
That means nearly one out of every six miles generates zero revenue, and it adds up quickly.
To make matters worse, the driver-to-truck ratio has dropped to 0.93, indicating that many trucks are sitting idle or underutilized. For small operations, even a slight delay or missed opportunity can result in lost income for the week.
The 2025 report emphasizes the importance of benchmarking and cost visibility as essential to thriving in this market. However, many small carriers lack the necessary software or the time to analyze those numbers.
Without insight into actual cost per mile, load profitability, or fuel efficiency, small fleets risk underpricing loads or accepting freight that loses money.
The good news: You don't need complex enterprise software to fix this—even basic tools can give you the clarity you need. Start by tracking your key numbers weekly:
With this kind of data, you gain the power to say no to bad freight—and yes to smarter decisions.
Read more: The Essential KPIs Trucking Companies Must Track for Success.
Whether you operate one truck or one hundred, the FMCSA holds everyone to the same standards, but small carriers face the full weight of these mandates without the support teams large fleets rely on:
Small carriers often handle paperwork between loads while also managing dispatch, billing, and maintenance. This makes it far easier to miss a deadline, overlook a regulation, or incur fines that eat directly into already slim margins.
And in 2025, with growing scrutiny around safety and operational transparency, staying audit-ready is more important—and more burdensome—than ever.
The cost of non-compliance isn't just financial—it's operational. A missed update or paperwork error can lead to delays, DOT audits, or even the suspension of authority. For small fleets, that's a risk they can't afford.
Surviving—and thriving—requires making the most of every tool and partnership available to you. Here are some concrete steps that can make a difference:
The 2025 ATRI report confirms what many small carriers already feel: it's getting harder to stay afloat, let alone grow. Even in a year where costs per mile decreased slightly, the path to profitability for small carriers and owner-operators has only gotten steeper.
But with better cost control, faster payments, and smarter fuel strategies, small carriers can regain an edge—even in a tight market.
If you're an owner-operator or run a small fleet, now is the time to focus on efficiency, cash flow, and flexibility.
At Summar Financial, we specialize in helping small carriers and owner-operators take control of their cash flow and lower their operating costs.
Thousands of carriers trust us to support their business on the road. If you're ready to stop chasing payments and start focusing on growth, we're ready to help.
👉 Contact us today to get started.