The 2026 Owner-Operator CPM & Lane-Rate Index

A dated operating-cost benchmark, then a separate model

ATRI’s July 15, 2026 release reports an industry operating-cost benchmark of $2.336 per mile for 2025, including fuel, and $1.854 excluding fuel. These are historical industry benchmarks, not measured current costs for a solo owner-operator. Read ATRI’s primary release.

The following is a separate hypothetical one-truck cost model, using 9,000 total miles per month and the stated cost assumptions. It is not a typical operation or a survey result. Build your own complete budget in the cost-per-mile calculator.

National spot averages — September 2026

DAT’s national monthly broker-to-carrier spot averages, in USD per loaded mile, including fuel. These are historical market context, not lane-specific quotes. They are not directly comparable with an individual carrier’s cost per total mile.

Use the same mileage basis to test an offer

For a hypothetical offer of $3.00 per paid mile, unpaid miles equal to 15% of paid miles reduce revenue to $3.00 ÷ 1.15 = about $2.61 per total mile. If your own complete cost were $2.20 per total mile, the modeled difference would be about $0.41 per total mile before income tax. These are example inputs, not a market quote or an estimate of typical profit. Use an actual offer and your own costs in the load-profit calculator.

Do not subtract ATRI’s annual industry cost benchmark from DAT’s later monthly rate average and call the result profit: the periods, carrier populations and mileage bases differ.

What drivers are actually reporting

Crowd-sourced, self-reported, unverified — informational only, not a price recommendation. Lanes appear once at least three drivers have reported them. Add your lane →

Methodology & sources

Operating cost

ATRI’s primary release, July 15, 2026: $2.336 per mile including fuel and $1.854 excluding fuel, covering 2025. A historical industry benchmark, not a current individual owner-operator budget.

Diesel

U.S. EIA on-highway diesel, $6.276/gal for the week of October 19, 2026, released October 20.

Spot benchmarks

DAT September 2026 monthly averages (published October 13), USD per loaded mile, including fuel; national broker-to-carrier averages, not lane quotes.

Lane rates

Crowd-sourced from drivers via TruckMargin; aggregated and shown only at ≥3 independent reports per lane.

Benchmarks checked October 23, 2026. Reported benchmarks, hypothetical models and unverified driver submissions remain separate. TruckMargin provides estimates for planning only and is not financial, tax, or accounting advice.