January 28, 2025
![Trucking Costs: 43 Stats for Fleet Owners and Drivers [2025]](https://cdn.buttercms.com/dkgIUFYQa61uGTLLoy3g)
Working in today's competitive trucking industry means understanding the latest trends in trucking costs. Knowing average fuel prices, driver wages, maintenance expenses, and other key statistics is a necessity, and by staying informed, you can make data-driven decisions.
These stats can help you optimize your fleet, negotiate better rates, and maximize your profitability. They may also give some insight into whether people would want to drive a truck for a living.
We've gathered a wide range of useful statistics for everyone, from fleet managers to independent drivers. Read on to learn valuable insights that can help you navigate challenges and increase your earnings in 2025.
Table of Contents:
The following are some of the most interesting findings from the 2025 trucking costs statistics:
1. Real wages for owner-operator truck drivers in the U.S. are roughly $65,774-$85,637. (FinditParts)
2. Fleet owners spend an average of $104,445 per truck per year and $77,512 per driver per year. (FinditParts)
3. In 2024, diesel prices were at their lowest in December at an average of $3.49 per gallon, and they were the highest in February at $4.04 per gallon. (Statista)
4. The state of Alaska has the highest average wages for heavy truck drivers at $65,870 and light truck drivers at $55,810. (FinditParts)
5. According to trucking rates for fleets of all sizes in 2024, the average fuel cost per mile was $0.61. (ATRI)
6. Over the last 20 years, the cost of crude oil accounted for 50% of the monthly average of U.S. diesel prices. (EIA)
7. The city with the highest average base pay for truck drivers is Chicago, at $62,320 for heavy truck drivers and $52,280 for light truck drivers. (FinditParts)
8. Independent contractors for truckload carriers made a median annual wage of $186,016 in 2023. (ATA)
Looking at real wages gives us a clearer picture of how much truck drivers take home after subtracting expenses. The reality is that high costs cut into truckers' take-home pay, potentially contributing to driver shortages.
Unlike most industries where employees are paid per hour or a flat salary, truckers are paid a bit differently. Truckers are paid per mile, meaning they don't make money during loading and unloading.
Median wage: $186,016
Total expenses: $100,379-$120,242
Real wages: $65,774-$85,637
Owner-operators make a median wage of roughly $186,016 per year, but their take-home wages are quite a bit lower after expenses. Below, you'll find some rough annual estimates for various expenses for independent drivers. Keep in mind that these are averages, and many miscellaneous expenses may not be accounted for in this list. Individual costs can vary widely depending on location, truck age and condition, interest payments on financed purchases, and preferences.
The real wages are pre-taxed amounts—remember that owner-operators can write off some of their expenses on their taxes. The current self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. Depending on the truck driver's filing status and tax bracket, their real wages may be slightly lower, even with the ability to write off some of their expenses.
Median wage: $57,760
Total expenses: $7,000-$10,000
Real wages: $47,000-$50,000
Like employees in other industries, fleet drivers have money deducted from their paychecks for health insurance (if provided). For food, truck stop overnight fees, and other life essentials like toiletries, fleet drivers typically get $69 per day when they're on the road for multiple days.
While their annual mean wage is $57,760, fleet truck drivers take home less than that. The BLS reports that health insurance alone can cost between $1,560 per year for single drivers and $6,099 for drivers with family coverage. When calculating insurance alongside miscellaneous expenses not covered per diem, real wages may be closer to $47,000-$50,000 per year.
Commercial drivers don't typically have to worry about as many expenses as owner-operators. Many fleet owners often pay the following expenses:
Companies with truck fleets make a large investment in their operations each year. Smaller fleets may have less than five trucks, while larger fleets can have over 1,000. We found that fleets spend roughly $104,445 per truck per year and $77,512 per driver per year on wages and benefits.
As noted above, fleet owners cover many of the expenses for their drivers as part of their operational costs. Based on ATRI's reported average miles driven of 80,159 per truck per year, here are the average expenses fleet owners can expect to pay each year per truck:
Annual cost per truck: $104,445
Annual cost per driver: $77,512
For more clarity into real wages, it's helpful to understand the specific expenses and some of the nuances. The following expenses are averages based on various sources, so they may be lower or higher for different truckers in different parts of the country.
Understanding the average cost of different semi-truck types as well as the cost difference of new and used semis can help you make informed decisions about your investment. The following data may even help you with negotiations when buying your next truck.
9. New semi-trucks can cost between $150,000 and $270,000. (My Little Salesman)
10. Day cab trucks are often the least expensive type of semi, costing about $100,000 to $150,000. (Matrack)
11. The average cost of used semi-trucks is between $30,000 and $80,000. Pricing depends on age, mileage, and overall condition. (altLINE)
12. Brand-new Freightliner Cascadias cost roughly $184,000. (Premier Truck Group)
13. Sleeper trucks depreciate by about 56% after five years. (EquipmentWatch)
14. The interest rate to finance a semi-truck is between 6% and 35%, but it can be as high as 99% for those with bad credit. (Bankrate)
15. New semi-trucks with advanced features can cost between $200,000 and $250,000. (Matrack)
16. Used sleeper trucks reached a five-year low, costing an average of less than $40,000 in 2020. (ATRI)
Fuel costs are a major expense for drivers and fleet owners alike because they directly impact profitability. Diesel prices have fluctuated significantly over the years, and recent trends indicate they may rise in the near future.
17. Over the last five years, average diesel prices were the lowest in 2020 at $2.55 per gallon, and they reached an average high in 2022 of $4.99. (EIA)
18. Fleets with five to 25 trucks pay the highest average fuel cost per mile at $0.73. Fleets with over 1,000 pay the least on average at $0.49. (ATRI)
19. The most popular form of alternative fuel for semi-trucks is compressed natural gas (CNG). (ATRI)
20. Fleets saved about 3% on fuel costs between 2023 and 2024. (ATRI)
21. Approximately 4% of trucks in one survey used alternative fuels with the majority turning to CNG, which was an average of $2.91 in October 2024. (ATRI and AFDC)
22. Fuel economy for fleets was an average of 6.61 miles per gallon in 2023, a 1% decrease from the previous year. (ATRI)
Recent data from ATRI reveals valuable insights into average daily mileage driven, a crucial factor when considering fuel costs. It shows that carrier trip lengths in 2023 closely mirrored those observed in 2022, potentially indicating a return to pre-pandemic norms after disruptions in 2020 and 2021. The majority of daily trips are regional, spanning 100 to 500 miles at 37%, with local trips making up 28% of the data.
For this data, mileage was weighted by the number of trucks in each fleet and by sector. While trip lengths provide a general overview of operational distances, the weighted average daily mileage data offers a more accurate reflection of actual truck usage.
Obtaining a CDL involves several expenses that can vary significantly. These costs typically include permit application fees, written and skills test fees, and potential costs for training courses. We list average costs below, but note that individual expenses may range from minimal fees to several hundred dollars depending on state regulations and training options.
23. The cost of a CDL can range from $2.50 to over $160, with an average cost of about $54. (Pride Transport)
24. The state with the highest CDL fee is New York at $164.50. (Pride Transport)
25. Some states don't have a permit application fee, and other states like Oklahoma have a fee as low as $4. (Pride Transport)
26. The only states that require a paid skills test are Washington, Oregon, Georgia, Hawaii, California, Connecticut, Alaska, Kansas, and Colorado. (Pride Transport)
27. The majority of states don't have a fee for the written test. (Pride Transport)
28. Training courses for a CDL can range from $4,000 to $12,000. (Pride Transport)
Some additional fees to consider are application, CDL road test, and CDL endorsement fees. Similar to the other fees, not all states have them and the cost can vary.
Maintaining a semi-truck is an ongoing expense that fleet owners and independent drivers shouldn't overlook. Regular maintenance is crucial for ensuring safety, reliability, and fuel efficiency.
29. The median maintenance cost for fleets is $21,242 per year per truck. (ATRI)
30. One report found that maintenance costs for semi-trucks only rose by 0.2% year-over-year between Q4 of 2022 and 2023. (TMC)
31. The cost of semi-truck parts dropped over 2% between 2022 and 2023, leading to lower maintenance costs. (TMC)
32. Semi-truck tires cost an average of $0.46 per mile. (ATRI)
Truck driver salaries can vary depending on factors like experience, type of freight hauled, company size, and location. Companies typically offer a base salary, but compensation can also include bonuses, overtime pay, and benefits like health insurance and retirement plans.
Independent truck drivers have a different income structure, relying more on factors like freight rates, fuel costs, and maintenance expenses to determine their earnings.
33. The average pay for truck drivers rose by $0.92 in 2023, making the average pay $36.99 per hour. (ATRI)
34. The median annual wage for drivers at private carriers rose by 12% between 2021 and 2023 to $95,114. (ATA)
35. The trucking industry spends roughly $0.77 per mile on driver wages and $0.18 per mile on driver benefits. (ATRI)
36. The state with the lowest pay for truck drivers is West Virginia at $48,460 per year. (FinditParts)
37. The annual mean wage for truckers is $57,760. (BLS)
38. Truckers make an average of $0.40 to $0.50 per mile. (Melton)
Beyond core operational costs, there are some interesting statistics that showcase often-overlooked trucking costs. This section explores some additional findings from various studies, including the impact of traffic congestion, the financial consequences of trucking accidents, and the costs associated with driver detention.
39. A 2007 study found the average cost of a crash involving a commercial truck weighing 10,000 pounds or more was $146,349 in today's dollars. (FinditParts)
40. The national cost of traffic congestion for trucks rose to $108.8 billion in 2022, a 15% increase from 2021. (ATRI)
41. There was over $32 billion worth of wasted fuel due to traffic congestion in 2022. (ATRI)
42. Refrigerated truck drivers lose an average of almost $1,300 per year from driver detention. (ATRI)
43. Drivers wasted over $286 million worth of fuel while idling during driver detention in 2023. (ATRI)
Navigating the complexities of trucking costs requires careful planning and a proactive approach. If you're a fleet manager, these stats can help you with budget forecasts and competitive wages for drivers. As an independent driver, you can see where many of your expenses are going and where you may be able to budget in the future. Overall, this data can help you optimize your business with informed decisions to improve profitability.
You can manage your costs more effectively with the help of FinditParts. We offer a wide range of high-quality semi-truck parts at competitive prices. From engines and transmissions to brakes and tires, we have everything you need to keep your trucks running smoothly and efficiently. Browse our inventory today, and take advantage of FinditParts Pro, your all-in-one platform for finding truck parts with great prices.
Total expenses for truck driver real wages were found by finding average price ranges from various sources. The estimates were based on drivers driving an average of 62,000 miles per year and being on the road four nights per week.
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