ATA: trucks hauled 11.46 billion tons in 2025 as revenue hit $936.4 billion
The 2026 edition of American Trucking Trends shows modest gains, 3.45 million drivers, and an industry still made up almost entirely of small fleets.
Trucking grew a little in 2025, but the American Trucking Associations says the gains came under heavy cost pressure.
ATA released the 2026 edition of American Trucking Trends, its annual data book on the U.S. industry, on October 26.
The key numbers
| Measure | 2024 | 2025 | |---|---|---| | Freight tonnage | 11.27 billion tons | 11.46 billion tons | | Industry revenue | $906 billion | $936.4 billion |
ATA also reported for 2025:
- 8.5 million people in trucking-related jobs, including 3.45 million professional drivers
- 91.1% of carriers run 10 or fewer trucks
- 99.2% run fewer than 100 power units
- trucks moved 68% of U.S.-Canada surface trade and 86% of goods across the Mexican border
What ATA says it means
"The latest figures show areas of improvement, including modest growth in freight tonnage and industry revenue," said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. "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."
Henry Hanscom, ATA's Chief Advocacy & Public Affairs Officer, said the report "forms a cornerstone of ATA's successful advocacy efforts."
Why it matters for small fleets
The small-fleet share is the number to remember. With more than nine in ten carriers running 10 trucks or fewer, rising costs land mostly on small businesses. ATA's tonnage and revenue growth for 2025 was about 1.7% and 3.4%.
This year's edition also covers household goods moves and the wider economy. ATA sells the full report through ATABusinessSolutions.com.