Diesel keeps climbing and small trucking businesses are on their own

I’ve been in the trucking industry for over 14 years and right now it feels like small operators are completely on our own.

Diesel prices keep climbing, insurance is through the roof, maintenance costs never stop, and IFTA taxes just keep adding up. On top of that, truck prices went insane after COVID and many of us are still paying for equipment we bought when prices were inflated.

Freight rates haven’t kept up with any of it.

A lot of us took on debt during COVID just trying to survive and keep freight moving. Now we’re dealing with inflation, higher operating costs, and market uncertainty with tariffs and supply chain changes. Meanwhile the government seems to have moved on and there’s no real help in sight for small trucking businesses.

People think trucking companies are making money because freight is always moving, but the reality for many small operators is we’re barely keeping the wheels turning.

It feels like the message is: figure it out yourself or get out of the industry.

Is anyone else feeling this pressure right now?