Trucking industry statistics help explain how goods move across the United States, how much freight transportation contributes to the economy, and what truck drivers and trucking businesses can expect from the market. For owner-operators and fleet owners, these figures are more than interesting facts. They can help with budgeting, rate negotiations, equipment decisions, and long-term planning.
The U.S. trucking industry handles freight for manufacturers, retailers, farms, construction companies, warehouses, and consumers. However, industry growth does not automatically mean every carrier is profitable. Freight demand, competition, fuel expenses, maintenance, and driver availability all influence business results.
In this guide, we cover important trucking industry statistics, explain what the numbers mean, and show how trucking professionals can use them to make better decisions.
Note: Statistics in this article come from published government and industry reports. Each figure has its own reporting period, so the year is identified where possible. Verify the latest releases before publishing updates.
1. How Big Is the U.S. Trucking Industry?
Trucking is one of the most important parts of the U.S. freight transportation system. Trucks connect ports, factories, farms, distribution centers, retail stores, and residential delivery locations.
According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), trucks transported approximately 72.7% of the nation’s freight by weight in 2024. The ATA also estimated that the nation’s trucking freight bill reached $906 billion in gross freight revenue in 2024, covering primary freight shipments.
These figures demonstrate the scale of the industry. They also show why trucking conditions can affect many other businesses, from grocery retailers to manufacturers.
Source: American Trucking Associations — Economics and Industry Data.
Why trucking plays such an important role
Trucking offers flexibility that other freight modes cannot always provide. A truck can collect goods from a manufacturing facility, transport them to a distribution center, and deliver them close to the final customer.
Rail, ships, and aircraft remain important for specific types of freight and long-distance transportation. Trucks often provide the first or last part of the journey, even when another transportation mode handles the middle portion.
For trucking businesses, this means demand can come from many industries. However, a slowdown in retail, construction, manufacturing, or imports can affect different freight segments in different ways.
2. Trucking Freight Tonnage and Revenue Statistics
Freight tonnage measures the weight of goods transported. Freight revenue measures the money generated by transportation services. Both are useful, but they tell different stories.
The ATA estimated that U.S. domestic trucking transported approximately 11.27 billion tons of freight in 2024. Its estimated $906 billion freight bill for the same year provides another view of the industry’s economic size.
Source: ATA trucking statistics and economic data.
What these figures mean for carriers
High freight tonnage does not guarantee high rates. If many trucks are available to haul the freight, carriers may face strong competition. Conversely, a lane with limited truck capacity can sometimes offer better rates even when shipment volume is relatively modest.
Consider two examples:
- Carrier A hauls a large number of loads but accepts low rates and drives many empty miles.
- Carrier B hauls fewer loads but selects profitable routes, limits deadhead miles, and controls operating costs.
Carrier B may generate stronger profits despite moving less freight.
That is why trucking businesses should track their own revenue per mile, cost per mile, and net profit rather than relying only on national revenue figures.
Freight activity can change quickly
Industry statistics are often published monthly, quarterly, or annually. Annual figures help show the industry’s overall scale, while monthly reports can provide a more immediate view of market conditions.
The ATA publishes its For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index, which tracks changes in trucking activity among participating for-hire carriers. It is useful for identifying broader movements in freight demand, but it does not represent every trucking company or every equipment type.
Check the ATA Truck Tonnage Index updates for recent figures.
3. How Many Trucking Companies Are in the USA?
The United States has a large number of motor carriers, and most operate relatively small fleets.
According to ATA data based on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) records, the United States had almost 580,000 active motor carriers registered with FMCSA that owned or leased at least one tractor as of June 2025.
The same ATA data shows that:
- 91.5% of these carriers operated 10 or fewer trucks.
- 99.3% operated 100 or fewer trucks.
Source: ATA — Economics and Industry Data.
These figures highlight the importance of small and midsize businesses in American trucking.
What this means for owner-operators
You do not necessarily need a large fleet to participate in the trucking industry. Many businesses operate with one truck or a small group of trucks.
However, a smaller operation may have fewer resources to absorb an unexpected repair, a slow-paying customer, or a period of weak freight demand.
Owner-operators should pay particular attention to:
- Maintaining a repair and emergency reserve.
- Tracking income and expenses consistently.
- Building relationships with reliable brokers and shippers.
- Comparing loads by total trip profitability.
- Avoiding excessive debt when expanding.
A growing fleet can increase revenue, but it also adds insurance, equipment, maintenance, and administrative expenses. Before buying another truck, calculate whether your current freight opportunities can support the additional costs.
Check carrier information before choosing a business partner
Carriers and owner-operators can use FMCSA resources to review relevant company and safety information. Before entering a business arrangement, confirm the company’s identity, authority, and other information appropriate to the relationship.
Official resource: FMCSA Company Snapshot.
4. Truck Driver Employment and Wage Statistics
Truck driver employment figures help explain the size of the workforce and provide useful context for people considering a trucking career.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers held approximately 2.22 million jobs in 2025. The BLS projects employment in this occupation to reach approximately 2.305 million jobs by 2035, an increase of 4%.
The BLS also projects about 214,500 openings per year, on average, from 2025 through 2035. Many openings are expected to result from workers leaving the occupation or the workforce, rather than from newly created positions alone.
The reported median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $58,640 in May 2025.
Source: BLS — Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
What the employment figures tell us
The trucking workforce is substantial, and the BLS expects demand for heavy truck drivers to continue over the coming decade.
However, these numbers need careful interpretation. The median wage is not the guaranteed income for every driver. Pay varies with the employer, route, experience, equipment, schedule, and compensation structure.
Company drivers may receive mileage pay, hourly pay, salary, bonuses, or a combination. Owner-operators earn business revenue but must also pay operating expenses, taxes, insurance, equipment costs, and other bills.
For this reason, a driver’s wage and an owner-operator’s gross revenue should never be compared as if they were the same measure.
How drivers can use employment statistics
Drivers considering a new job should compare more than advertised pay. Review home time, benefits, equipment condition, schedule expectations, detention policies, and the reliability of the employer.
Owner-operators should compare their net business income with the compensation and benefits available through other arrangements before deciding whether to remain independent.
5. Trucking Operating Costs and Profitability
Operating expenses are among the most useful trucking industry statistics for small carriers and independent truck owners.
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) reported that the average cost of operating a truck reached $2.336 per mile in 2025, according to its 2026 operational-cost report. That was 3.4% higher than in 2024.
ATRI also reported that operating costs excluding fuel increased to $1.854 per mile, a rise of 4.2%.
Several expense categories increased during 2025, including:
- Tolls, up 13.2%.
- Repair and maintenance, up 8.6%.
- Driver benefits, up 6.6%.
- Tires, up 6.4%.
Source: ATRI — 2026 Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking.
These are industry benchmarks, not fixed costs that apply to every truck. Your results will depend on annual mileage, equipment, fuel economy, financing, insurance, routes, and other operating details.
Why cost per mile matters
Cost per mile helps a trucking business estimate how much it needs to earn to cover its expenses.
For example, imagine your total annual operating expenses are $180,000 and your truck travels 100,000 total miles during the year.
Your operating cost per mile would be:
$180,000 ÷ 100,000 = $1.80 per mile
This is an illustrative example, not an industry average. Make sure your expense calculation includes the costs relevant to your business.
Also, use total miles, including empty miles, when calculating your overall cost per mile. Otherwise, you may underestimate the cost of running your truck.
Revenue per mile is not the same as profit
Suppose you receive a load payment of $2,000. That payment is revenue, not profit. You still need to account for fuel, tolls, maintenance, insurance, truck payments, driver compensation, and other applicable costs.
A high-paying load may be less attractive if it requires substantial empty travel or leaves you in an area with few reload options.
Use your cost figures to set a minimum acceptable rate, and review your results regularly.
For more guidance, see our internal article on how to calculate owner-operator profit.
6. Cross-Border Trucking Statistics: Trade With Canada and Mexico
International trade is another important part of the U.S. trucking market.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported that trucks moved approximately $1.039 trillion in freight between the United States and Canada and Mexico in 2025. This was an increase of about 0.7% compared with 2024.
BTS reported the following truck-transported trade values for 2025:
- U.S.–Canada freight: approximately $712.8 billion across all transportation modes, with trucks carrying a substantial portion.
- U.S.–Mexico freight: approximately $872.8 billion across all transportation modes, with trucks carrying a substantial portion.
The combined value of all modes of transportation between the United States and these two neighboring countries was approximately $1.6 trillion in 2025.
Source: BTS — Transborder Freight Data Annual Report: 2025.
Why cross-border trade matters
Trucks play a major role in moving manufactured goods, consumer products, agricultural commodities, and industrial materials across North American supply chains.
However, the total value of cross-border trade is not the same as trucking company revenue. The BTS figures cover the value of goods transported, not the amount paid to carriers.
Businesses interested in cross-border freight should research border procedures, documentation, insurance requirements, customs processes, and applicable operating rules before entering this market.
7. How to Use Trucking Industry Statistics to Make Better Decisions
Statistics become more valuable when you connect them to your own business.
A national report might show rising operating costs, but it cannot tell you exactly how much your truck spends on fuel. A driver employment report may describe the broader labor market, but it cannot tell you whether a particular carrier offers a good compensation package.
Use industry data as context, then compare it with your own records.
Track these numbers every month
1. Revenue per total mile
Divide your trucking revenue by total miles driven. This helps show whether your revenue is keeping pace with your truck’s actual mileage.
2. Cost per mile
Include relevant fixed and variable costs. Track fuel, maintenance, insurance, financing, permits, tolls, and other expenses.
3. Deadhead percentage
Calculate empty miles as a percentage of total miles. A high percentage may indicate that you need better reload planning or different freight lanes.
4. Maintenance spending
Track scheduled maintenance separately from unexpected repairs. This can help you identify recurring problems and plan equipment replacement.
5. Cash flow
Monitor when invoices are issued, when customers pay, and when your major bills are due. A profitable month can still create financial stress if cash arrives too late.
6. Profit by lane or customer
Compare the results from different routes and customers. A lane that looks attractive based on gross rates may perform poorly after empty miles, waiting time, tolls, and other costs are included.
Use statistics when negotiating freight rates
Market reports can provide context for discussions about operating expenses and freight conditions. Still, a broad industry average does not establish the correct rate for a specific shipment.
When negotiating, consider your actual costs, equipment requirements, trip distance, timing, and available alternatives. Use market data alongside your own records rather than treating one national figure as a guaranteed rate.
8. Where to Find Reliable Trucking Industry Statistics
For accurate research, start with sources that clearly identify their reporting period, methodology, and definitions.
- American Trucking Associations (ATA): Economics and Industry Data for freight revenue, tonnage, carrier counts, employment, and other industry facts.
- American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): Operational Costs of Trucking for cost-per-mile benchmarks and operating-cost research.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Truck Driver Occupational Outlook for employment, wages, and projections.
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS): Transborder Freight Data for trade figures involving the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): Company Snapshot for carrier information and relevant safety records.
Before quoting a statistic, confirm its year and definition. For example, the number of truck drivers employed in an occupation is not the same as the number of people employed across all trucking-related jobs. Similarly, the value of freight moved is not the same as carrier revenue.
Using the correct measure makes your content more trustworthy and helps readers make better decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the most important trucking industry statistics?
Useful measures include freight revenue, tonnage, carrier counts, driver employment, wages, operating costs, and cross-border freight activity. Owner-operators should also track their own cost per mile, revenue per mile, and net profit.
2. How much revenue does the U.S. trucking industry generate?
The ATA estimated the U.S. trucking freight bill at approximately $906 billion in 2024 for primary freight shipments. This is a historical industry estimate, so check the ATA’s latest data before using it as a current-year figure.
3. How many trucking companies operate in the United States?
ATA data based on FMCSA records reported almost 580,000 active U.S. motor carriers registered with FMCSA that owned or leased at least one tractor as of June 2025. The exact number depends on the definition and reporting date.
4. What is the average cost per mile for trucking?
ATRI reported an average operating cost of $2.336 per mile for 2025 in its 2026 report. Individual businesses may have substantially different costs, so calculate your own figure before setting rates.
5. Are truck driver jobs expected to grow?
The BLS projects employment for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers to increase 4% between 2025 and 2035, with about 214,500 openings per year on average during that period. These projections may change as new data becomes available.
6. Where can I find current U.S. trucking statistics?
Start with ATA, ATRI, BLS, BTS, and FMCSA. These organizations publish industry data, employment figures, operating-cost reports, freight statistics, and carrier information.
Conclusion
Trucking industry statistics show how important trucks are to the U.S. economy, but they also reveal the financial pressures facing carriers and owner-operators. Freight revenue, tonnage, employment, carrier counts, and operating costs each tell a different part of the story.
For trucking professionals, the most useful approach is to combine reliable industry reports with accurate business records. Monitor your cost per mile, control empty miles, evaluate customers and routes, and maintain a realistic cash-flow plan.
Whether you operate one truck or manage a larger fleet, understanding trucking industry statistics can help you make better decisions about rates, equipment, expansion, and long-term business planning.
- ATA — Economics and Industry Data — industry size, freight tonnage, revenue, and carrier statistics.
- ATRI — Operational Costs of Trucking — operating-cost benchmarks and profitability context.
- BLS — Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — employment, wage, and career projections.
- BTS — Transborder Freight Data — official cross-border freight statistics.
- FMCSA — Company Snapshot — carrier information and safety-related research.
Publication reminder: Figures in this article refer to the stated reporting periods, including 2024, 2025, and the 2026 reports that summarize 2025 results. Verify the latest available releases before updating the article to reflect new data.
