BTS 26-19

Today, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released the change in the costs faced by consumers for transportation goods and services, from January 2025 to January 2026, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The annual change in CPI is a measure of inflation.

The CPI for all transportation goods and services fell 1.1% from January 2025 to January 2026. Transportation dampened 7.4% to the 2.4% increase in the price of all goods and services, per the CPI. Motor vehicle maintenance and repair contributed the most to inflation, rising 4.9% year-over-year and contributing 2.1% to the annual change in the price of all goods and services. By item, the top three contributors to inflation in January 2026 were:

• Motor vehicle maintenance and repair: +2.1%
• Airline Fare: +0.9%
• Motor vehicle insurance: +0.7%

The top three items dampening transportation’s contribution to inflation in January 2026 were:

• Gasoline (all types): -9.3%
• Used cars and trucks: -2.5%
• Leased cars and trucks: -1.0%

For additional information and for interactive charts on transportation's role in the economy and changes (trends) over time, please visit BTS’ Transportation Economic Trends.