The trucking industry has faced many challenges since the start of the 2020s. With ongoing issues like global disruptions, economic instability and rising costs, it’s easy to feel like each year is more difficult than the last.
For carriers to survive in a rapidly changing landscape, it’s important to understand the issues and trends shaping the outlook for trucking. Read on to learn about the top challenges facing the truck transportation industry in 2026.
Economic & Freight Market Instability
Volatility has become the new normal in trucking, and 2026 has been no exception. The economy remains a major source of anxiety for trucking businesses, ranking as the top industrywide concern for three straight years.
In just the past few months, your business has likely had to navigate the pressures caused by global disruptions like tariff disputes, regional conflicts and climate-related events. Most notably, these pressures have had a major impact on the freight market, leading to uneven demand and shifting seasonal patterns.
While some sectors have remained strong, others have lagged as businesses cut production due to reduced consumer spending. As a result, many companies — particularly small- and medium-sized fleets — are struggling to budget, forecast and maintain consistent revenue.
Rising Operational Costs
As if economic and freight market uncertainty weren’t enough, trucking companies nationwide have also had to deal with record-high operating costs.
According to the American Trucking Research Institute (ATRI), nonfuel operating costs reached $1.779 per mile in 2025, the highest ever recorded. Additionally, each of the following individual expenses reached record highs in average cost per hour, per ATRI’s annual report.
- Truck and Trailer Payments – $15.70
- Insurance Premiums – $4.11
- Tires – $1.90
- Tolls – $1.51
- Driver Pay – $32.10
- Driver Benefits – $7.93
When including fuel, total operational costs declined slightly from the previous year. However, following a surge in diesel prices during Q1, it’s fair to expect a significant increase in your average fuel cost per mile in 2026.
The combination of rising costs and market instability has created significant challenges for the trucking industry. Many carriers have had to make major adjustments, including exiting the market or filing for bankruptcy. With that in mind, it’s more important than ever for your trucking business to make every dollar count.
Driver Shortage and Aging Workforce
The demand for trucking and freight transportation is still very high. However, there’s a growing gap between the industry’s needs and the number of available, qualified drivers.
According to industry groups, “qualified” is the key word here, as the quantity of professional drivers has become less of a concern in recent years. In fact, many CDL holders apply for positions but fall short of meeting the high safety standards in place.
On the flip side, some professional drivers and industry advocates argue that the real problem is with retention, as trucking companies often deal with high turnover rates because of issues like:
- Low pay
- Lack of benefits
- Unpredictable schedules
- Long stretches away from home
- Poor working conditions
Regardless, the trucking workforce is aging, with most sectors having median ages in the early 40s and early 50s. To keep freight moving, carriers will need to do more to retain older drivers and incentivize young, qualified talent to join their teams.
Nuclear Verdicts
While the ATRI noted that the economy was the top concern for the trucking industry, second place was a bit of a surprise: nuclear verdicts and lawsuit abuse reform.
Nuclear verdicts are defined as jury awards of $10 million or more resulting from commercial vehicle accident lawsuits. Trucking companies are increasingly targeted each year, and verdicts are only getting larger. In 2024, the trucking industry experienced 15 verdicts totaling more than $4.1 billion.
Nuclear verdicts can have lasting, devastating effects for trucking companies. While larger fleets might be able to withstand these financial hits, small- and medium-sized fleets might not be so lucky.
With many smaller carriers already operating on thin margins, your company will need to increase its emphasis on safety and training to ensure long-term survival.
Regulatory Changes
The trucking industry is currently undergoing a major regulatory shift. The changes introduced in 2026 are centered around driver qualification rules and stricter equipment tracking. As a result, you will need to closely monitor your costs.
Some major regulatory changes include:
- ELD Revocations – The FMCSA has officially given enforcement officers the authority to immediately place vehicles out of service for using ELDs that were revoked from the FMCSA Registered ELD list.
- English Language Proficiency – The CVSA has officially added English Language Proficiency to the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria. While the rule has been on the books for years, it is now being strictly enforced and will result in a truck being taken off the road.
- MC Number Elimination – To help prevent fraud, the FMCSA no longer uses Motor Carrier numbers. Instead, the organization has transitioned to using USDOT numbers as the sole federal identifier for all motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders.
- Motus Implementation – Launched in December 2025, Motus is the FMCSA’s new online platform that replaces outdated legacy systems and serves as a centralized location to manage your USDOT number, operating authority and insurance filings.
Turn to a Trusted Partner for Help
Trucking is never easy, but having a team you trust by your side makes it simpler. Backed by 40+ years of experience and financial strength, RTS can help you navigate the industry’s most pressing challenges and thrive in any type of market.
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