Extra miles, disciplined cost management, and long-term commitment to carriers are key takeaways from ATBS’ latest market outlook.
Mike Hosted, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at ATBS, a leading financial advisory and accounting firm serving truck drivers recently led the company’s mid-year industry webinar. His opening remarks acknowledged what most drivers already feel: the current freight environment is tough, with higher costs and fewer easy opportunities.
But his conclusion painted a more optimistic picture. According to ATBS data, drivers who stay consistent, manage expenses, and are willing to take on extra or less desirable routes are actually improving their earnings, despite market headwinds.
Market Challenges and Rising Costs
Hosted emphasized the financial pressures drivers face today, pointing to rising expenses across multiple categories. Maintenance in particular has become a heavy burden, with parts and labor climbing steadily. A look at truck payments also showed a growing financial strain, especially for newer operators.
Yet, his message was clear: drivers who keep their trucks on the road, strategically accept challenging freight, and spread fixed costs across more miles are finding ways to stay profitable.
“Nothing has gotten easier in trucking,” Hosted said. “But the ones who stay the course and run smart are seeing their incomes climb.”
ATBS’ unique perspective comes from its large client base of independent owner-operators and company drivers, making its financial insights highly representative of industry trends.
Staying With a Carrier Pays Off
Driver turnover is one of the biggest income killers in trucking. Hosted highlighted ATBS data showing that those who stay with their carriers long-term enjoy significant income gains compared to drivers who frequently jump from job to job.
In fact, drivers with more than a year of tenure at the same company recorded about a one-third increase in income compared to those who switched quickly. Since the industry’s income bottomed out in late 2023, non-turnover drivers have steadily grown their net earnings in every ATBS study.
While not every carrier is perfect, Hosted stressed that many reliable and profitable companies are out there, and staying put with the right one can pay off big.
Incomes Recovering After Post-Crash Dip
For ATBS clients, income trends tell an interesting story.
– Top one-third of drivers: Peaked at $164,929 in mid-2022, dipped to $150,006 by late 2022, but recovered to $161,082 in mid-2025.
– Bottom one-third: Fell from $61,029 in mid-2022 to $57,066 at the end of that year and has barely budged since, sitting at $57,192 in mid-2025.
– Top 10% performers: Rose sharply from $206,058 in mid-2023 to $224,715 by mid-2025.
The data underscores Hosted’s key message: the best-performing drivers are those taking extra freight, managing expenses, and extending their range. Those who stay passive or avoid challenging lanes are struggling to regain income momentum.
Costs: Fuel Relief vs. Rising Maintenance
On the cost side, ATBS reported a mixed picture:
- Fuel: Down more than 10% year-over-year, easing one of the largest variable costs for drivers.
- Variable operating costs: Declined 5.6% between July 2024 and July 2025, averaging $65,016 annually.
- Fixed costs: Increased modestly by 2.1% to $57,564.
- Maintenance: The biggest problem area up across all equipment types, with dry van operators paying $1,711 more, reefers up $2,745, and flatbeds up $486.
Hosted warned about the dangers of deferred maintenance, as many drivers delay service due to financial stress. But with modern trucks relying heavily on sensors and electronics, postponing maintenance often leads to breakdowns that can sideline operations entirely.
Used Truck Market: Tariffs Push Prices Higher
Another major factor Hosted discussed was truck acquisition costs. While used truck prices had been trending down, new tariffs on imported heavy-duty vehicles are expected to reverse that trend.
“Nobody’s buying new trucks right now because they’re too expensive and they’re about to get even more expensive,” Hosted said. With fewer new orders, the demand for used trucks is likely to rise, pushing prices upward.
This creates a squeeze: incomes may be improving for some drivers, but not fast enough to offset rising equipment costs.
Large Fleets Gain Ground While Smaller Ones Struggle
Industry consolidation also played a role in Hosted’s outlook. Smaller fleets are struggling with turnover and declining service quality, while larger fleets are capitalizing.
Big carriers are reportedly winning back freight, securing 2–3% rate increases, and projecting volume growth of 8–12% over the next year. For drivers, this means opportunities may be stronger at established, financially stable fleets.
Strategies for Driver Success
Beyond the raw data, Hosted laid out practical steps drivers can take to succeed in today’s market.
- Track the numbers: Know your fixed daily costs, variable cost per mile, and fuel margins.
- Take extra loads: A single additional 500-mile load at ATBS’ average rate assumptions can generate $565 in profit. Adding just one per month equals $6,780 in annual profit and two loads doubles that.
- Extend your range: The best-paying freight often runs through high-cost, high-traffic areas like the Northeast corridor. Though tolls and fuel are higher, rates more than compensate.
- Commit to your carrier: Stability pays. Longer tenure translates directly into higher net income.
- Avoid deferred maintenance: Cutting corners today often leads to expensive downtime tomorrow.
The trucking market is undeniably difficult, but as ATBS’ data shows, it isn’t hopeless. Drivers who treat trucking like a business tracking expenses, maximizing revenue opportunities, and staying consistent, are not only surviving but thriving.
As Hosted summed it up: “The most successful drivers are the ones who go the extra mile, both literally and financially.”
