Prices at the pump fuel this year’s list of top trucking concerns

October 22, 2026

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) releases its 22nd Annual Top Industry Report, revealing fuel costs remain the top concern and including new and repeat issues. The top issues include:  

Fuel Prices,
Lawsuit Abuse Reform,
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) and Insurance Cost/Availability,
Artificial Intelligence regarding trucking, and
Diesel Emissions Regulations.

Despite some positive signs in the freight economy emerging, the rising cost of diesel fuel topped out this year at $6.50 per gallon. The small-to-mid size fleets can’t pump the brakes on these accelerating operating costs, sending that issue to the top spot.

The economy held the top spot on the report 3 years previously, dropping to number 6 in this year’s report. Workforce issues returned to the top 10 this year, with driver shortage and compensation both ranking in the top 10 as well.

Who participated?

Nearly half of the respondents were motor carrier executives with truck drivers and freight stakeholders, each representing a little over a quarter of those who participated. The cost of fuel and truck parking remained at the top of the breakdown of their responses, with lawsuit abuse ranking first among the motor carrier responses, and fuel prices and drivers’ shortages taking a close second.

The goal of the annual analysis is to not only recognize the top concerns, but also to diagnose how the industry can manage or contain the effects of the issues on the industry.

To view the full report, visit ATRI’s website.

Publish Date

October 22, 2026

Author

Erin Kelsey

Type

Industry News

Industries

{not populated}