WASHINGTON — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is publishing the 2026 edition of American Trucking Trends, its annual industry data compendium about the state of the U.S. trucking sector.
“Trucking’s reach extends into every corner of the economy. Trends quantifies that impact and puts that invaluable data at business leaders’ fingertips,” said Bob Costello, ATA chief economist. “The latest figures show areas of improvement, including modest growth in freight tonnage and industry revenue. But those gains must be viewed in the context of fierce economic headwinds, as motor carriers continue to contend with escalating operational costs and largely uneven freight volumes. By revealing both the progress and the pressure points within our industry, Trends is essential for making sound business decisions.”
Key Findings
The key findings in this year’s report include:
- Trucks moved 11.46 billion tons of freight in 2025, up from the 11.27 billion tons hauled the previous year.
- In 2025, the industry saw revenues at $936.4 billion, up from $906 billion in 2024.
- Trucking employed 8.5 million people in industry-related jobs, including 3.45 million professional drivers in 2025.
- The industry remains one made up of small businesses, with 91.1% of carriers operating 10 or fewer trucks and 99.2% operating fewer than 100 power units.
- Trucks moved 68% of surface trade between the U.S. and Canada, and 86% of goods across the Mexican border in 2025.
Trends are the Cornerstone of Trucking
This year’s version of Trends also includes important data about household goods movements, the broader macroeconomy and more.
“Reliable data is one of the most powerful tools we have to tell trucking’s story and demonstrate our industry’s indispensable role in the economy,” said Henry Hanscom, ATA chief advocacy & public affairs officer. “Trends forms a cornerstone of ATA’s successful advocacy efforts by enabling our federation to more effectively push for policies that strengthen trucking, support drivers and the supply chain and keep our economy moving.”
ATA American Trucking Trends 2026 is available for purchase at here. Click here to read about the previous edition.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe.
