Fuel prices ranked as the trucking industry’s top concern in the American Transportation Research Institute’s 22nd annual Top Industry Issues report. Nearly 3,100 industry stakeholders participated in the survey, which identified concerns ranging from insurance costs and availability to driver staffing and artificial intelligence.

The results highlight cost pressures facing trucking businesses, including small and midsize fleets. Lawsuit Abuse Reform, Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA), and Insurance Cost/Availability also appeared among the leading issues.

“With operating costs continuing to climb overall, this spike in fuel costs is particularly painful for small- to mid-size fleets,” said Ben Banks, president of TCW. “ATRI’s annual analysis is so essential for trucking to not only quantify the issues, but more importantly, to understand what we can collectively do as an industry to address each.”

Staffing Concerns Return to the Top 10

After ranking first for three consecutive years, the Economy dropped to sixth overall. ATRI described the shift as reflecting cautious optimism among motor carriers.

Driver Shortage returned to the top 10 at fifth, while Driver Retention ranked 10th. Driver Compensation remained on the list in ninth place, and Artificial Intelligence in Trucking and Diesel Emissions Regulations both remained top 10 concerns after debuting in 2025.

Drivers and Carriers Rank Priorities Differently

Fuel prices were a concern across respondent groups, but their other priorities differed. Truck drivers, including owner-operators and company drivers, ranked Fuel Prices, Truck Parking, and Driver Compensation as their top three issues. Motor carriers ranked Lawsuit Abuse Reform, Fuel Prices, and Driver Shortage highest.

Motor carrier executives and personnel accounted for more than 48% of respondents, while truck drivers represented 26%. Other freight stakeholders, including suppliers, driver trainers, and law enforcement, made up the remaining respondents.

The report also includes a separate analysis of law enforcement respondents, who ranked Electronic Logging Device Fraud as their top concern. State-specific analyses were provided for states with sufficient survey participation.

The findings were released during the 2026 American Trucking Associations Management Conference and Exhibition. The full report is available through ATRI’s website.