Business · Updated Oct 2026
Owner-operator cost per mile: what it costs to run a truck in 2026 (with a worked example)
Your cost per mile is everything you spent in a period divided by every mile you drove in that period, loaded and empty. The best public benchmark is ATRI's: carriers averaged $2.336 a mile in 2025, or $1.854 without fuel. ATRI calls the 2025 total "a record."[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab) That's a fleet average from ATRI's carrier survey, not an owner-operator number, and it includes company driver wages and benefits.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab) Use it as a reality check, then run your own numbers below.
Fixed vs variable costs
Fixed costs:
- Truck and trailer payments (purchase or lease). ATRI's 2025 average was 40.4¢ a mile: 28.3¢ for trucks and 12.1¢ for trailers.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Insurance. ATRI's 2025 average premium cost was 10.6¢ a mile.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab) On your own authority, the federal minimum for "For-hire (In interstate or foreign commerce, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds)" carriers of "Property (nonhazardous)" is $750,000 in public liability.[7] Source: 49 CFR 387.9: Financial responsibility, minimum levels (eCFR) (opens in a new tab)
- Permits and licenses: IRP plates, UCR, Form 2290, state permits. ATRI's 2025 average was 0.8¢ a mile.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Form 2290 (heavy vehicle use tax) is due for trucks of 55,000 lb taxable gross weight or more. IRS's own example puts the full-period tax for an 80,000-pound truck at $550 for the July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 tax period.[4] Source: IRS: Instructions for Form 2290 (Rev. July 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- UCR for a carrier with 0–2 trucks is $46 for "Registration Years Beginning in 2025 and Ending in 2026" and $55 for "Registration Year 2027 and Subsequent Years."[5] Source: 49 CFR Part 367: UCR fees (eCFR) (opens in a new tab)
Variable costs:
- Fuel. ATRI's 2025 average was 48.2¢ a mile, the biggest single line after driver wages.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Repair and maintenance. 21.5¢ a mile in 2025.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Tires. 5.0¢ a mile.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Tolls. 4.3¢ a mile, a record.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
ATRI's full 2025 breakdown, in cents per mile:
| Line item (2025) | ¢ per mile |
|---|---|
| Driver wages | 81.8 |
| Fuel | 48.2 |
| Truck/trailer lease or purchase payments | 40.4 |
| Repair and maintenance | 21.5 |
| Driver benefits | 21.0 |
| Truck insurance premiums | 10.6 |
| Tires | 5.0 |
| Tolls | 4.3 |
| Permits and licenses | 0.8 |
| Total | 233.6 |
Source: ATRI, Table 8, 2025 data.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab) Without driver wages and benefits, the vehicle costs add up to $1.308 a mile (our math from the same table).
Worked example (one truck, 110,000 miles)
Example. Every input below is an assumption for illustration, not an average or a quote. Swap in your own numbers. The only figures taken from official sources are the Form 2290 tax[4] Source: IRS: Instructions for Form 2290 (Rev. July 2026) (opens in a new tab), the UCR fee[5] Source: 49 CFR Part 367: UCR fees (eCFR) (opens in a new tab) and the diesel price.[2] Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration: Weekly U.S. No. 2 Diesel Retail Prices (opens in a new tab)
| Cost (Example) | Per year | ¢ per mile |
|---|---|---|
| Truck payment, $2,300 a month | $27,600 | 25.1 |
| Trailer payment, $550 a month | $6,600 | 6.0 |
| Insurance (liability, cargo, physical damage), $1,100 a month | $13,200 | 12.0 |
| IRP plates (varies by state and miles) | $2,400 | 2.2 |
| Form 2290, 80,000 lb, full year | $550 | 0.5 |
| UCR, 0–2 trucks, 2026 | $46 | 0.04 |
| ELD, phone and software, $90 a month | $1,080 | 1.0 |
| Other permits, accounting, misc., $200 a month | $2,400 | 2.2 |
| Fixed subtotal | $53,876 | 49.0 |
| Fuel: 110,000 ÷ 6.5 MPG × $6.28 | $106,277 | 96.6 |
| Repair and maintenance, 20¢ a mile | $22,000 | 20.0 |
| Tires, 5.5¢ a mile | $6,050 | 5.5 |
| Tolls | $3,000 | 2.7 |
| Variable subtotal | $137,327 | 124.8 |
| Total | $191,203 | 173.8 |
- Example result: $191,203 ÷ 110,000 miles = about $1.74 a mile, before you pay yourself.
- One reason it's lower than ATRI's $2.336 is that ATRI's figure includes $1.028 a mile in driver wages and benefits.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Example: add $60,000 a year for your own pay and the cost becomes about $2.28 a mile.
- Fixed costs per mile shrink as miles go up. In this example, running 90,000 miles instead of 110,000 raises the fixed share from 49¢ to about 60¢ a mile.
How fuel price moves your cost per mile
Fuel cost per mile = diesel price ÷ your MPG. At $6.28 a gallon and 6.5 MPG, fuel is about 97¢ a mile.
- The U.S. average on-highway diesel price was $6.276 for the week of Oct. 19, 2026 (EIA).[2] Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration: Weekly U.S. No. 2 Diesel Retail Prices (opens in a new tab) See this week's price on our diesel page.
- In 2025, diesel averaged about $3.66, our simple average of EIA's 52 weekly U.S. prices for that year. So far in 2026 (42 weeks, Jan. 5 to Oct. 19) it has averaged about $5.10.[2] Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration: Weekly U.S. No. 2 Diesel Retail Prices (opens in a new tab)
- ATRI's 48.2¢ is a 2025 number. ATRI says 2025 was diesel's most stable year since the pandemic, and fuel cost per mile rose just 0.1¢ from 2024. It's also a fleet-wide average: in the truckload sector, fleets with more than 1,000 trucks spent 8.8¢ a mile less on fuel than fleets with fewer than 5 trucks, thanks to economies of scale and more fuel-efficient trucks.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Tractors in ATRI's survey averaged 7.43 MPG in 2025.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Example fuel cost per mile:
| Diesel price | 6.5 MPG | 7.43 MPG |
|---|---|---|
| $3.66 (2025 avg.) | 56¢ | 49¢ |
| $5.10 (2026 avg. so far) | 78¢ | 69¢ |
| $6.28 (week of Oct. 19, 2026) | 97¢ | 85¢ |
- Rule of thumb (Example math): at 6.5 MPG, every $1 a gallon adds about 15¢ a mile. At 110,000 miles, that's about $16,900 a year.
- For fuel tax reporting, see IFTA basics and the IFTA calculator.
Leased-on vs own authority: which costs change
Federal leasing rules decide what a lease has to spell out. The lease must give the carrier "exclusive possession, control, and use of the equipment" and "complete responsibility for the operation of the equipment" for the lease's duration.[3] Source: 49 CFR 376.12: Lease requirements (eCFR) (opens in a new tab)
- Insurance: the lease must "clearly specify the legal obligation of the authorized carrier to maintain insurance coverage for the protection of the public." It must also say who provides other coverage, "such as bobtail insurance," and the amount of any insurance charged back to you.[3] Source: 49 CFR 376.12: Lease requirements (eCFR) (opens in a new tab)
- Chargebacks: the lease must "clearly specify all items that may be initially paid for by the authorized carrier, but ultimately deducted from the lessor's compensation," with how each is computed. You get copies of the documents needed to check them.[3] Source: 49 CFR 376.12: Lease requirements (eCFR) (opens in a new tab)
- No forced purchases: the lease must say you're "not required to purchase or rent any products, equipment, or services from the authorized carrier as a condition of entering into the lease arrangement."[3] Source: 49 CFR 376.12: Lease requirements (eCFR) (opens in a new tab)
- Compensation "shall be clearly stated on the face of the lease or in an addendum," and delivered to you "prior to the commencement of any trip."[3] Source: 49 CFR 376.12: Lease requirements (eCFR) (opens in a new tab)
- On your own authority, you also pay FMCSA's $300 filing fee for each operating authority (MC number) you apply for.[6] Source: FMCSA: Get Operating Authority (Docket Number) (opens in a new tab)
- You also pay UCR for your own carrier.[5] Source: 49 CFR Part 367: UCR fees (eCFR) (opens in a new tab)
- ATRI's average carrier-contracted owner-operator rate was $2.08 a mile in 2025, down for a second year in a row.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- For your settlement rights, see CPM pay and settlements: leased owner-operators.
Rate per mile vs cost per mile: finding break-even
Break-even rate (Example math) = total costs ÷ paid (loaded) miles.
- Example: if 12% of your 110,000 miles are empty, you have 96,800 paid miles. $191,203 ÷ 96,800 = about $1.98 per loaded mile to break even before your own pay.
- Example: with $60,000 for your own pay, the loaded-mile target is about $2.60.
- Check what a load pays per mile with our pay calculator. See also truck driver per diem.
FAQs
How do you calculate cost per mile for a truck?
Add up every cost for a period: fixed costs like truck payment, insurance and permits, plus variable costs like fuel, tires, maintenance and tolls. Divide by every mile driven in that period, including deadhead. Example: $191,203 in costs over 110,000 miles is about $1.74 a mile before your own pay. ATRI's 2025 fleet average was $2.336.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
What is the average cost per mile for trucking in 2026?
The latest benchmark is ATRI's 2026 report, which covers 2025. Carriers averaged $2.336 a mile, which ATRI calls "a record," or $1.854 without fuel.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab) It's a fleet average that includes driver wages (81.8¢) and benefits (21.0¢), so it isn't a direct owner-operator number. Use it alongside your own math.
How much does fuel add to cost per mile?
Divide the diesel price by your MPG. At $6.28 a gallon and 6.5 MPG, fuel is about 97¢ a mile (Example math).[2] Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration: Weekly U.S. No. 2 Diesel Retail Prices (opens in a new tab) ATRI's 48.2¢ is lower because it reflects 2025, when diesel averaged about $3.66, and fleet-wide averages that include large fleets with lower fuel costs.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab) Check this week's price on our diesel page.
How much does it cost to become an owner-operator?
There's no single total. Start-up costs include a down payment or lease on the truck, FMCSA's $300 fee for your operating authority (MC number) if you get your own authority[6] Source: FMCSA: Get Operating Authority (Docket Number) (opens in a new tab), insurance (the federal minimum public liability for for-hire general freight is $750,000[7] Source: 49 CFR 387.9: Financial responsibility, minimum levels (eCFR) (opens in a new tab)), IRP plates, UCR ($46 for 0–2 trucks in 2026[5] Source: 49 CFR Part 367: UCR fees (eCFR) (opens in a new tab)), Form 2290 ($550 for the full period on an 80,000-pound truck, per IRS's example[4] Source: IRS: Instructions for Form 2290 (Rev. July 2026) (opens in a new tab)) and an ELD.
Is it cheaper to lease on or run your own authority?
Leased on, the lease must state the carrier's obligation to carry public liability insurance, your compensation, and every chargeback.[3] Source: 49 CFR 376.12: Lease requirements (eCFR) (opens in a new tab) On your own authority, you pay FMCSA's $300 operating-authority filing fee[6] Source: FMCSA: Get Operating Authority (Docket Number) (opens in a new tab), meet the $750,000 liability minimum for general freight[7] Source: 49 CFR 387.9: Financial responsibility, minimum levels (eCFR) (opens in a new tab) and pay UCR.[5] Source: 49 CFR Part 367: UCR fees (eCFR) (opens in a new tab) For comparison, ATRI's average contracted owner-operator rate was $2.08 a mile in 2025.[1] Source: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Sources
- American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, 2026 Update (PDF) (opens in a new tab). Report dated July 2026. Data year: 2025 operations (Table 8 line items, Table 16 owner-operator rates, fuel economy, fuel and equipment sections).
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Weekly U.S. No. 2 Diesel Retail Prices (opens in a new tab). Week of Oct. 19, 2026: $6.276. 2025 and 2026 year-to-date averages computed from the weekly series (as shown on truker.app/diesel, pulled 2026-10-23).
- 49 CFR 376.12: Lease requirements (eCFR) (opens in a new tab). eCFR up to date as of 2026-10-21. Last amended May 25, 2018 (83 FR 24228).
- IRS: Instructions for Form 2290 (Rev. July 2026) (opens in a new tab). Tax period July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
- 49 CFR Part 367: UCR fees (eCFR) (opens in a new tab). Fee tables as amended by final rule 91 FR 56063, published Sept. 1, 2026, effective Oct. 1, 2026.
- FMCSA: Get Operating Authority (Docket Number) (opens in a new tab). Last updated Apr. 20, 2026. Filing fees table: "Permanent Authority $300.00," with separate fees "for each kind of authority sought." The fee is set in 49 CFR 360.3T(f)(1).
- 49 CFR 387.9: Financial responsibility, minimum levels (eCFR) (opens in a new tab). eCFR up to date as of 2026-10-21. Last amended July 21, 2026 (91 FR 45660).