WASHINGTON — Trucking activity in the United States remained unchanged in April after increasing 1% in March, according to the American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index.
“April’s unchanged tonnage level is more impressive when considering that the index increased a total of 4.7% since the end of 2025 and hasn’t decreased so far in 2026,” said Bob Costello, ATA chief economist. “The index is back to levels last seen during the fall of 2022.”
In April, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 117.8. The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, increased 3.5% from the same month in 2025, down slightly from March’s 3.7% increase. During the first four months of the year, tonnage was up 2.6% from the same period last year. In 2025, the tonnage index was flat compared to the 2024 average.
March’s SA increase was revised up slightly from what was first reported on April 21.
The not seasonally adjusted index, which calculates raw changes in tonnage hauled, equaled 116.8 in April, 3.4% below March’s reading of 120.9.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
