Between June and September of 2026, our research team built a weighted model of average owner-operator cost per mile using operating cost benchmarks, owner-operator financial data, and trends in fuel, equipment, insurance, and financing costs.
The national average owner-operator cost per mile in 2026 is $1.53, excluding the owner’s own pay, with costs ranging from roughly $1.01 to $2.03 per mile depending on the variables broken down below by section. Each category and figure is benchmarked across 2020, 2023, and 2026.
Average Owner-Operator Cost per Mile by Hauling Category: 2026
The table below compares modeled 2026 cost per mile for the eight hauling categories most common among owner-operators. The equipment and insurance figures reflect an established operator with a clean record.
| Hauling Category | Avg. Cost per Mile | Typical Annual Miles | Est. Annual Operating Cost | Insurance Cost per Mile | Primary Cost Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Van | $1.54 | 96,000 | $147,840 | $0.12 | Fuel at 2026 diesel prices, about 44% of total cost |
| Refrigerated (Reefer) | $1.77 | 105,000 | $185,850 | $0.14 | Reefer unit fuel and service on a trailer that costs roughly twice as much as a dry van |
| Flatbed | $1.69 | 92,000 | $155,480 | $0.15 | Securement gear, oversize permits, and exposed-cargo claims |
| Tanker / HAZMAT | $1.83 | 88,000 | $161,040 | $0.24 | Higher liability minimums, hazmat registration, and tank washouts |
| Car Hauler | $1.80 | 95,000 | $171,000 | $0.17 | Trailers and hydraulics that cost $100,000 or more, plus high cargo limits |
| Intermodal Drayage | $2.03 | 55,000 | $111,650 | $0.24 | Low annual miles, port wait time, and chassis fees |
| Hotshot (Class 3 to 5 with gooseneck) | $1.01 | 100,000 | $101,000 | $0.09 | Lighter equipment and fuel economy near 12 mpg keep fuel and payments low |
| Box Truck (26 ft) | $1.03 | 80,000 | $82,400 | $0.08 | Lower-value equipment offset by stop-and-go local miles |
The data reveals that equipment and insurance, not fuel, create most of the spread between hauling categories. A reefer operator burns more fuel than a dry van operator, but the bigger gap comes from a trailer that costs about twice as much and a premium near $14,900 a year. Drayage posts the highest cost per mile of any category because a truck running 55,000 miles spreads the same fixed costs across roughly half the miles of an over-the-road unit.
Average Owner-Operator Cost per Mile by Authority Age (New vs. Established): 2026
The table below tracks how cost per mile falls as a dry van operation’s authority matures. A leased-on operator is included as a benchmark.
| Authority Age | Avg. Cost per Mile | Avg. Annual Insurance Premium | Insurance Cost per Mile | Typical Annual Miles | Primary Cost Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Authority (0 to 12 months) | $1.80 | $15,900 | $0.20 | 80,000 | New entrant pricing, insurance down payments of 20% to 25%, and brokers that restrict new MC numbers |
| Year 2 (13 to 24 months) | $1.64 | $13,900 | $0.16 | 88,000 | More standard-market insurers start quoting after a clean first year |
| Year 3 (25 to 36 months) | $1.58 | $12,600 | $0.14 | 93,000 | Loss runs and CSA data now support better pricing |
| Established (3 to 5 years) | $1.54 | $11,800 | $0.12 | 96,000 | Full broker access and competitive insurance renewals |
| Veteran (5+ years) | $1.48 | $11,000 | $0.11 | 98,000 | Lower equipment debt, direct shipper freight, and established fuel discounts |
| Leased to a Carrier (benchmark) | $1.33 | $5,100 | $0.05 | 100,000 | Carrier holds primary liability; operator covers bobtail, physical damage, and occupational accident |
Data shows that a first-year authority costs about 26 cents more per mile than the same truck three to five years later. Insurance explains roughly 8 cents of that gap, and the rest comes from fewer annual miles, higher financing rates, and limited broker access while the authority is new. Leased-on operators post the lowest cost per mile at $1.33 because the carrier carries primary liability, though they give up control over rates and freight selection in exchange.
Average Owner-Operator Cost per Mile by Safety Compliance Rating (CSA & Inspection History): 2026
The table below shows how CSA percentiles, roadside out-of-service (OOS) history, and safety ratings shift cost per mile for an established dry van operation. Intervention thresholds sit at the 65th percentile for Unsafe Driving and Hours of Service and the 80th percentile for Vehicle Maintenance.
| Safety Profile | Avg. Cost per Mile | Est. Annual Insurance Premium | Premium vs. Peer Median | Operational Effect | Primary Cost Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All BASICs below 50th percentile, clean inspections | $1.50 | $10,400 | 8% to 15% lower | Fewer inspections and more weigh station bypasses | Preferred underwriting tier with standard-market insurers |
| Near peer median, no alerts | $1.54 | $11,800 | Baseline | Standard inspection frequency | Standard-market pricing |
| Insufficient data (no percentile) | $1.55 | $12,200 | About 3% higher | Underwriters lean on driver MVRs and loss runs | No percentile reads as unknown risk, not a clean record |
| One BASIC above intervention threshold | $1.59 | $14,800 | 15% to 40% higher | More roadside targeting and possible FMCSA warning letters | Unsafe Driving, HOS, or Vehicle Maintenance above threshold |
| Two or more vehicle OOS orders in 12 months | $1.62 | $14,200 | About 20% higher | Roadside repairs, tows, and missed delivery windows | Brake and tire defects found at the roadside |
| Multiple BASICs above threshold | $1.68 | $17,100 | 40% or more higher | Some brokers and shippers screen the carrier out | Placement pushed into excess and surplus lines markets |
| Conditional safety rating | $1.76 | $18,900 | 50% to 60% higher | Fewer available loads and lower annual miles | Restricted broker access and nonstandard insurance markets |
In essence, safety record moves cost per mile through two channels: the insurance premium and time lost at the roadside. During CVSA’s 2026 International Roadcheck, 19% of inspected vehicles were placed out of service, and brake problems accounted for 39.1% of those orders. An operator with a conditional rating pays an estimated 26 cents more per mile than a clean-record peer, a gap of roughly $21,000 a year at 82,000 miles.
Average Owner-Operator Cost per Mile by Financing and Procurement Structure: 2026
The table below compares six common ways owner-operators acquire a tractor, modeled on an established dry van operation. New sleepers now run above $170,000 after tariff-related increases, while the average used Class 8 retail price sat near $61,000 in mid-2026.
| Financing / Procurement Structure | Avg. Cost per Mile | Equipment Cost per Mile | Typical Rate and Terms | Est. Monthly Payment | Primary Cost Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truck Owned Outright (7+ years old) | $1.35 | $0.03 | No tractor financing | $240 (trailer only) | Repair costs near $0.27 per mile and weaker fuel economy |
| New Truck, Prime Credit | $1.54 | $0.44 | 5% to 8% APR, 60 months, 10% to 15% down | $2,980 | High purchase price, offset by warranty coverage and better fuel economy |
| Late-Model Used Truck, Prime Credit | $1.47 | $0.27 | 8% to 12% APR, 60 months, 15% down | $1,630 | Lower purchase price with moderate repair exposure |
| Older Used Truck, Subprime Credit | $1.56 | $0.25 | 18% to 30% APR, 48 months, 25% to 40% down | $1,420 | Interest cost plus repair costs on a high-mileage truck |
| Carrier Lease-Purchase | $1.57 | $0.47 | Weekly payments of $850 to $1,000, balloon common | $3,700 to $4,300 | Above-market truck pricing and settlement deductions |
| Full-Service Lease | $1.49 | $0.40 (includes maintenance) | Fixed monthly, 36 to 60 months | $3,200 | Predictable payment that bundles most maintenance |
The cheapest structure on a monthly statement is not always the cheapest per mile. A paid-off truck posts the lowest cost at $1.35, but that figure carries no replacement reserve, and its repair costs run more than double those of a new truck under warranty. Carrier lease-purchase programs land at $1.57 per mile, higher than a used truck financed at prime rates, even though the lease-purchase operator’s insurance bill is far smaller.
Owner-Operator Cost per Mile Trends by Category: 2020 to 2026
The table below anchors the report by comparing ATRI’s reported 2020 and 2023 industry line items with our modeled 2026 figures. It also tracks the owner-operator categories covered above over the same period.
| Category | 2020 | 2023 | 2026 | Total % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel (industry, per mile) | $0.308 | $0.553 | $0.630 | +105% |
| Truck and Trailer Payments (industry, per mile) | $0.271 | $0.360 | $0.412 | +52% |
| Repair and Maintenance (industry, per mile) | $0.148 | $0.202 | $0.221 | +49% |
| Insurance Premiums (industry, per mile) | $0.087 | $0.099 | $0.113 | +30% |
| Tires (industry, per mile) | $0.043 | $0.046 | $0.048 | +12% |
| Tolls (industry, per mile) | $0.037 | $0.034 | $0.044 | +19% |
| Permits and Licenses (industry, per mile) | $0.016 | $0.009 | $0.008 | -50% |
| Driver Wages (industry, per mile) | $0.566 | $0.779 | $0.834 | +47% |
| Driver Benefits (industry, per mile) | $0.171 | $0.188 | $0.219 | +28% |
| Total Industry Marginal Cost (per mile) | $1.646 | $2.270 | $2.529 | +54% |
| Industry Cost Excluding Fuel (per mile) | $1.338 | $1.717 | $1.899 | +42% |
| Owner-Operator, National Average, All Categories (per mile) | $0.96 | $1.35 | $1.53 | +59% |
| Owner-Operator, Dry Van (per mile) | $0.97 | $1.36 | $1.54 | +59% |
| Owner-Operator, Reefer (per mile) | $1.12 | $1.57 | $1.77 | +58% |
| Owner-Operator, Flatbed (per mile) | $1.06 | $1.49 | $1.69 | +59% |
| Owner-Operator, Tanker / HAZMAT (per mile) | $1.12 | $1.60 | $1.83 | +63% |
| Owner-Operator, Car Hauler (per mile) | $1.10 | $1.58 | $1.80 | +64% |
| Owner-Operator, Intermodal Drayage (per mile) | $1.27 | $1.80 | $2.03 | +60% |
| Owner-Operator, Hotshot (per mile) | $0.64 | $0.90 | $1.01 | +58% |
| Owner-Operator, Box Truck (per mile) | $0.66 | $0.92 | $1.03 | +56% |
| New Authority, Year 1 (per mile) | $1.13 | $1.60 | $1.80 | +59% |
| Veteran Authority, 5+ Years (per mile) | $0.93 | $1.31 | $1.48 | +59% |
| Leased to a Carrier (per mile) | $0.84 | $1.18 | $1.33 | +58% |
| Clean CSA Profile (per mile) | $0.94 | $1.33 | $1.50 | +60% |
| Conditional Safety Rating (per mile) | $1.07 | $1.54 | $1.76 | +64% |
| Truck Owned Outright (per mile) | $0.84 | $1.19 | $1.35 | +61% |
| Carrier Lease-Purchase (per mile) | $1.00 | $1.40 | $1.57 | +57% |
| Established Owner-Operator Insurance Premium (annual) | $8,100 | $10,200 | $11,800 | +46% |
| New Authority Year 1 Insurance Premium (annual) | $10,900 | $13,600 | $15,900 | +46% |
The data reveals that fuel is the single largest driver of the six-year increase, more than doubling per mile as diesel moved from about $2.55 a gallon in 2020 to more than $5.40 by August 2026. Every owner-operator category rose between 56% and 64%, faster than ATRI’s 54% industry-wide increase, because owner-operator budgets exclude driver wages and leave fuel and equipment a larger share of every mile. Insurance rose 30% per mile across the industry, but the annual premium for an established owner-operator climbed 46%, reflecting how thin a single truck’s claims history looks to an underwriter.
The Importance of Owner-Operator Costs per Mile
The cost of running a truck as an owner-operator has risen roughly 60% since 2020, and 2026 added a fuel shock on top of structural increases that never let up. Even in 2025, when diesel held steady, ATRI recorded higher costs in nearly every line item, led by tolls, maintenance, and tires; and early 2026 data shows insurance rising faster than any other expense.
Each category that was broken down moves cost per mile on their own, and they stack: a first-year authority hauling reefer freight on a subprime-financed older truck faces a far higher cost floor than a veteran dry van operator with a paid-down truck and a clean CSA profile. Rates have finally started to catch up, with ATBS reporting that fuel-adjusted spot rates crossed its cost-adjusted profitability threshold in the second quarter of 2026, but carrier-contracted owner-operator rates were still flat at $2.08 per mile in 2025. The operators best positioned for the rest of 2026 are the ones who control the costs they can: a clean inspection record, the right financing structure, and an insurance program priced against their actual risk.
Contact Truck Writers to see how your insurance program compares with these per-mile benchmarks and where your premium can come down.
Sources
- American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). “New ATRI Report Details Accelerating Costs and Low Profitability Despite Cuts.” ATRI. July 15, 2026. https://truckingresearch.org/2026/07/new-atri-report-details-accelerating-costs-and-low-profitability-despite-cuts/
- Jeremy Wolfe. “Trucking Operational Costs Hit Record $2.336 per Mile, ATRI Reports.” FleetOwner. July 22, 2026. https://www.fleetowner.com/operations/article/55392569/atri-report-breaks-down-class-8-truck-operating-costs-by-region-and-expense-category
- Alvaro Otoya. “2026 Trucking Costs: What Small Carriers Need to Know (ATRI).” Summar Financial. July 31, 2026. https://summar.com/atri-trucking-costs/
- Matt Cole. “Trucking’s 2025 Operating Costs Hit All-Time High.” Overdrive. July 16, 2026. https://www.overdriveonline.com/business/article/15830180/2025-trucking-costs-surge-to-alltime-high-will-rates-keep-up
- Heavy Duty Trucking Staff. “ATRI: Average Truck Operating Cost Reaches Record $2.336 Per Mile.” Heavy Duty Trucking. July 15, 2026. https://www.truckinginfo.com/news/trucking-fleets-faced-record-operating-costs-during-third-year-of-freight-recession
- TruckTok Staff. “Cost to Operate a Truck Hit Record $2.34 per Mile in 2025, ATRI Says.” TruckTok. July 15, 2026. https://trucktok.live/cost-to-operate-a-truck-hit-record-2-34-per-mile-in-2025-atri-says/
- Alex Leslie, ATRI. “State of the Industry: Costs, Techs, and New Concerns.” Fullbay. n.d. https://www2.fullbay.com/rs/823-QJJ-687/images/State-of-the-Industry-Costs-Techs-and-New-Concerns.pdf
- Transport Topics Staff. “ATRI Report: Cost of Operating a Truck Up 6.6% in 2023.” Transport Topics. July 3, 2024. https://www.ttnews.com/articles/atri-truck-cost-2023-rise
- Heavy Duty Trucking Staff. “ATRI: Lower 2020 Cost Per Mile Reflects Less Spend on Fuel, Driver Benefits.” Heavy Duty Trucking. December 23, 2021. https://www.truckinginfo.com/news/atri-drop-in-2020-cost-per-mile-reflects-less-spend-on-fuel-driver-benefit
- ATBS Staff. “How Did Owner-Operators Perform in 2025?” ATBS. April 16, 2026. https://www.atbs.com/post/how-did-owner-operators-perform
- Advanced Trucking. “What Owner-Operators Actually Make in 2026.” Advanced Trucking. August 2026. https://advancedtrucking.net/what-owner-operators-actually-make/
- Kenzie Thompson. “Average Cost of Trucking Insurance: A 2026 Breakdown.” Truck Writers. August 28, 2026. https://truckwriters.com/blog/average-cost-of-trucking-insurance/
- OOIHub Staff. “New Authority Trucking Insurance Cost 2026.” Owner Operator Insurance Hub. April 25, 2026. https://owneroperatorinsurancehub.com/blog/new-authority-trucking-insurance.html
- AtoB Staff. “Owner Operator Truck Insurance Cost Statistics for 2026.” AtoB. 2026. https://www.atob.com/blog/owner-operator-truck-insurance-cost-statistics
- Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). “CVSA Releases 2026 International Roadcheck Results.” CVSA. August 2026. https://cvsa.org/news/2026-roadcheck-results/
- Foley Carrier Services. “What CSA Score Is Too High? FMCSA Intervention Thresholds 2026.” Foley. March 23, 2026. https://www.foleyservices.com/articles/what-csa-score-is-too-high/
- TruckComplianceHQ Staff. “CSA Score Explained: How It’s Calculated and How to Fix It.” TruckComplianceHQ. April 26, 2026. https://truckcompliancehq.com/blog/csa-score-explained
- Summar Financial Staff. “How CSA Scores Affect Trucking Insurance Premiums.” Summar Financial. August 22, 2026. https://summar.com/csa-scores-trucking-insurance-premiums/
- Brobas Capital. “Semi Truck Financing: Real Rates from 5.49% (2026 Update).” Brobas Capital. 2026. https://brobascap.com/learn/semi-truck-financing-guide
- Truck Dispatch Experts. “Should You Buy a Truck in 2026? Equipment Price Guide.” Truck Dispatch Experts. March 21, 2026. https://truckdispatchexperts.com/resources/truck-trailer-prices-2026-guide/
- ACT Research. “U.S. Used Truck Market Trends, Classes 3 to 8.” ACT Research. August 2026. https://www.actresearch.net/resources/blog/us-classes3-8-used-trucks-blog
- Commercial Carrier Journal Staff. “Used Class 8 Truck Sales Hit Nearly Five-Year High in March.” Commercial Carrier Journal. April 29, 2026. https://www.ccjdigital.com/trucks/article/15823508/used-class-8-truck-sales-hit-nearly-fiveyear-high-in-march