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As we turn the calendar to 2026, American shippers are facing a freight transportation landscape that's challenging, competitive, and rapidly evolving. According to recent research from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) — the leading not-for-profit research organization for the trucking industry — operational costs, workforce trends, cargo risks, and critical industry pressures are reshaping how goods move across the United States.
For medium-to-large shippers, these insights aren't just statistics — they're signals for strategic action. Here's how you can leverage ATRI's latest findings to boost reliability, reduce costs, and strengthen supply chain performance in 2026.
What ATRI's 2025 Research Reveals About the Freight Market
ATRI's 2025 Operational Costs of Trucking report reveals a freight market under significant stress. While overall operating costs declined slightly to $2.26 per mile, non-fuel operating costs reached a record high of $1.779 per mile — a 3.6% increase from 2024.
Here's what's driving these pressures:
Truck and trailer payments rose 8.3% to a record $0.39 per mile
Driver benefits increased 4.8%, nearing $0.20 per mile
Operating margins fell below 2% across all fleet sectors
The freight recession continues into its third year, with demand remaining soft despite elevated costs
For shippers, this data paints a critical picture: carriers are operating in an environment where costs are up but rates remain compressed. Understanding this dynamic is essential for building sustainable partnerships and avoiding service disruptions.
Understanding Carrier Cost Pressures—And What That Means for Shippers
ATRI's research shows that while fuel costs have stabilized, total non-fuel operating costs are at record highs. Things like truck payments, insurance, driver benefits, and maintenance expenses grew in 2024, squeezing carrier profitability and margins.
For shippers, this means:
Carriers are under pressure to protect margins — and may be less flexible on pricing than in past cycles
Cost volatility at the carrier level often translates to pressure on contract rates and accessorials
Carriers with thin margins may reduce service quality or exit unprofitable lanes entirely
According to ATRI, inefficient administrative processes cost carriers an average of 15-20% of their operating budget. When shippers contribute to operational friction — through detention delays, unclear documentation, or poor communication — carriers pass those costs back through higher rates or service restrictions.
What you can do:
Improve visibility and data accuracy in your own operations. When shipment exceptions, detention, and paperwork delays are reduced, carriers have lower idle costs — which helps keep freight moving on schedule and your rates more predictable.
Consider tools like dock appointment scheduling to eliminate wait times and improve carrier turnover. When carriers can plan their schedules confidently, they're more willing to commit capacity to your lanes at competitive rates.
Understanding how fuel surcharges work can also help you model total freight costs more accurately and avoid surprises in volatile markets.
Workforce Shifts Are a Supply Chain Risk Shippers Can't Ignore
ATRI's demographic research highlights a shift in the U.S. trucking workforce: drivers are aging, younger entrants are fewer, and women remain significantly underrepresented. The industry is facing a structural capacity challenge that won't resolve quickly.
Why this matters to shippers:
Capacity constraints become more likely as driver turnover and retirements accelerate
Reliability risks increase during peak seasons or tight capacity periods
Service quality may decline if carriers struggle to staff routes adequately
ATRI data shows that driver wages increased 2.4% in 2024, but turnover remains high — particularly at smaller carriers who can't match the compensation packages of mega-fleets. This creates a ripple effect throughout the supply chain.
What you can do:
Build stronger partnerships with carriers who invest in:
Driver experience tools that reduce friction and frustration
Clear communication channels between dispatch, drivers, and shippers
Modernized onboarding and retention programs
Technology that reduces driver friction — like easy mobile document uploads, real-time delivery confirmation, and streamlined loading/unloading protocols — can help carriers retain drivers and keep your freight moving.
Shippers who make it easier for drivers to do their jobs (shorter detention times, clear instructions, respectful treatment) become preferred customers — which translates to better service and priority capacity allocation.
Cargo Theft Isn't Just a Carrier Problem—It's a Shipper Cost Driver
ATRI research shows that cargo theft in the U.S. remains a significant financial risk, costing carriers and logistics providers millions annually and disrupting supply reliability. The problem has grown more sophisticated, with organized theft rings targeting high-value freight.
Implications for shippers:
Product loss isn't just a recovery cost — it affects inventory availability and customer satisfaction
Replacements and delays add hidden logistical costs that can ripple through your supply chain
Insurance premiums increase for both carriers and shippers operating in high-risk corridors
According to industry estimates, cargo theft costs the U.S. supply chain over $15-30 billion annually. For shippers, this means higher rates, more stringent carrier requirements, and potential service disruptions in theft-prone regions.
What you can do:
Use digital tools that:
Strengthen proof of delivery tracking, with time-stamped photos or signatures
Speed up dispute resolution by providing clear documentation chains
Provide secure, validated records that help carriers reduce risk and insurers improve claims turnaround
When you have robust documentation and real-time visibility, you can identify anomalies faster and work with carriers to implement security measures where they matter most. This collaborative approach reduces risk for everyone in the supply chain.
Why Operational Excellence Is Your Competitive Advantage in 2026
ATRI's findings show carriers are navigating a "freight recession," where costs are up but freight demand and rates remain soft, hurting operating margins. For shippers, this environment means operational excellence isn't optional — it's competitive advantage.
When carriers can operate more efficiently with you — fewer unnecessary miles, better document flows, predictable schedules — they're more willing to commit capacity to your lanes and maintain service levels even during tight markets.
What you can do:
Centralize transport documentation so carriers have instant access to orders, instructions, and delivery requirements
Automate order and delivery confirmations to eliminate phone tag and email chains
Share real-time fleet and delivery status so everyone works from the same information
Reducing friction doesn't just benefit carriers — it improves your on-time performance, inventory planning, and customer experience. In a market where carriers have choices about which shippers to prioritize, operational excellence becomes a differentiator.
Modern transportation management systems and dock scheduling platforms can help you achieve this without adding complexity or headcount. The ROI comes from reduced exceptions, faster invoice cycles, and stronger carrier relationships.
Your 2026 Supply Chain Action Checklist
With the freight market still adjusting to cost pressures, workforce shifts, and emerging risks, your supply chain strategy for 2026 should start with data-driven operational improvements.
Here's a simple checklist to kick off your year:
✅ Digitize and streamline delivery documentation — Eliminate paper trails and manual data entry that slow down carriers and increase errors
✅ Improve visibility into real-time transport status — Give your team and your carriers a single source of truth for shipment progress
✅ Focus on secure proof-of-delivery tools — Protect against cargo theft and disputes with time-stamped, photo-verified delivery confirmation
✅ Collaborate with carriers around capacity and workforce challenges — Make it easier for drivers to work with you through reduced detention, clear communication, and respectful treatment
✅ Turn supply chain data into strategic insights — Use operational data to identify cost drivers, service gaps, and opportunities for improvement
✅ Implement dock appointment scheduling — Reduce wait times, improve yard safety, and help carriers operate more efficiently at your facilities
With the right tools in place, shippers can turn industry headwinds into opportunities for collaboration and differentiation. The carriers who work with you most efficiently will prioritize your freight when capacity gets tight.
Make 2026 the Year You Lead with Smarter Shipping Operations
The ATRI research makes something clear: the trucking industry is not standing still, and neither should your supply chain strategy. When you equip your teams with modern technology and insights, you improve efficiency, strengthen carrier relationships, and protect your service levels — even during periods of cost pressure and market change.
Understanding the challenges your carrier partners face — from rising non-fuel costs to workforce pressures to cargo theft risks — helps you become a shipper of choice. And in a tight capacity environment, being a preferred customer means better service, more reliable capacity, and more stable pricing.
At Dashdoc, we help American shippers and carriers get on the same page — from order to delivery — with visibility, automation, and real-time workflows that reduce paperwork and risk. Our dock appointment scheduling platform and transportation management tools are designed to make collaboration effortless.
Ready to make 2026 your best logistics year yet? Book a demo with our team and discover how Dashdoc can help you turn ATRI's insights into operational advantage.