The Trucking Industry is Experiencing Increased Maintenance Costs
Why maintenance costs are climbing and what fleets should know
Inflation, supply chain issues and increased labor expenses are driving up the cost of maintenance for Class 8 tractors.
“The entire industry has experienced cost increases, and we are no different,” said Chris Hough, vice president of maintenance design and engineering for Penske Truck Leasing.
Rising maintenance costs reflect broader increases in trucking operating expenses, according to the American Transportation Research Institute’s (ATRI’s) annual An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking: 2026 Update report.
The report found that the industry-average cost to operate a truck reached $2.336 per mile, the highest in the report's history and 3.4% above the prior year. Excluding fuel, operating costs rose 4.2% to $1.854 per mile, outpacing the 2.7% general inflation rate.
Repair and maintenance costs, which include parts, labor and roadside service, rose 8.6% to an industry average of 21.5 cents per mile, making it the second-largest percentage increase of any cost category after tolls.
In addition to increasing parts and labor costs, fleets are keeping equipment longer. ATRI also reported increases in average truck age and annual mileage per truck, both of which can increase maintenance needs. “Anytime a unit’s life cycle is extended, whether by time or mileage, fleets are faced with increased maintenance requirements,” Hough said.
ATRI expects repair and maintenance costs to keep rising at elevated rates, citing tariffs on imported components and on the steel, aluminum and copper used to manufacture parts domestically.
Penske includes maintenance with its full-service leases. “It removes many of the unforeseen expenses and unknowns that come with ownership,” Hough said. Penske's Dynamic PM® services also tailor preventive maintenance to each vehicle's age, condition, specifications and trends.