Fleet maintenance costs rise amid parts and labor pressures

Fleet operators are facing rising operational costs driven by increasing repair, maintenance, and parts expenses. According to the American Transportation Research Institute’s 2026 analysis, repair and maintenance costs for trucking fleets have risen to approximately 21.5 cents per mile, marking an 8.6% year-over-year increase.

Tire costs have also grown by 6.4% to roughly 5 cents per mile, influenced in part by tariffs on raw materials and rubber. These factors have contributed to a record high overall per-mile trucking cost of $2.336, a 3.4% increase from the previous year. These upward trends in parts shortages, labor rates, and tariffs are affecting various sectors, including construction, landscaping, and waste management.

To mitigate these rising expenses, industry data suggests a shift from reactive to preventative maintenance. Reactive repairs are significantly more expensive per event than scheduled servicing. For heavy vehicle operators, implementing structured maintenance schedules based on manufacturer intervals can help avoid high repair bills, vehicle downtime, and regulatory compliance risks.