Auto Transport Costs Surge: Carrier Pay Up 22.8%, Consumer Prices Up 14.6%

**Implied Volatility / Movement:** Normal

Carrier pay per mile in the U.S. auto transport sector saw a substantial increase of 22.8% during the first half of 2026, a significant shift after two years of minimal movement. This rise, which began in March, occurred as consumer prices for auto shipping rose at a slower pace of 14.6% over the same period. The disparity indicates that brokers absorbed a portion of the increased costs, rather than passing them entirely to consumers.

The report, based on 30 months of shipment data through June 2026, highlights that fuel prices were a primary trigger for the cost jump. Retail diesel prices rose from $3.72 per gallon in February to $4.92 in March and reached a peak of $5.60 in May, coinciding with the peak in carrier pay. Input cost increases were broad, affecting all distance bands above 500 miles with a 21% to 24% rise.

Further data indicates a rise in repricing and cancellations, with 46% of completed shipments exceeding their booked price and a 24.8% increase in cancellations. Orders cancelled due to insufficient booking rates for carriers rose from 1.45% to 4.64% of all bookings. The report also noted shifts in vehicle types, with SUVs comprising 43.9% of shipments, sedans at 27.9%, and electric vehicles at 5.5%. Residential pickups accounted for 76.9% of shipments with a recorded origin type.