U.S. Trucking Industry Statistics (2026)

Comprehensive 2026 trucking industry data covering market size, fleet composition, employment, freight volume, and rate trends in the United States.

Key numbers

Total trucking industry revenue: 987.0 (ATA American Trucking Trends)
Tons of freight moved by truck: 11.46 (ATA American Trucking Trends)
Share of all U.S. freight tonnage carried by truck: 72.6 (ATA American Trucking Trends)
Active for-hire motor carriers: 577,000 (FMCSA)
Class 8 trucks registered: 4.06 (ATA American Trucking Trends)
Total truck drivers employed: 3.55 (BLS Occupational Employment)
Driver shortage estimate: 78,000 (ATA Driver Shortage Report)
Average dry van spot rate: 2.19 (DAT Trendlines)
Average reefer spot rate: 2.51 (DAT Trendlines)
Average flatbed spot rate: 2.46 (DAT Trendlines)
Average diesel price (national): 3.74 (EIA Weekly Diesel)
Owner-operators (single-truck carriers): 350,000+ (FMCSA)

Trucks move nearly 73% of all U.S. freight by tonnage.
98% of for-hire carriers operate fewer than 20 trucks, making the industry overwhelmingly small-business.
Spot rates remain 12% below the 2022 peak but stabilized in late 2025.