Archives



Freight News, Logistics, Road


Truck Tonnage Higher, But Market Still Soft, ATA

[ July 24, 2026   //   ]

U.S. for-hire truck tonnage edged up 0.1 percent in June following a revised 3.2 percent decline in May, though volumes remained below year-earlier levels as freight demand continued to soften, according to the American Trucking Associations.

ATA’s seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose to 113.1 in June, based on 2015 equaling 100. Despite the monthly increase, the index was down 0.1 percent from June 2025, marking the second consecutive year-over-year decline after five straight months of annual gains.

“While tonnage was little changed during June, there was a definite weakening in volumes during the second quarter as the index contracted a total of 4.1 percent during April and May,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. He added that while the broader U.S. economy remains on solid footing, “the freight economy isn’t as strong,” although reduced trucking capacity over the past year has eased pressure on fleets.

During the first half of 2026, truck tonnage remained 1.4 percent above the same period last year, supported by stronger first-quarter freight volumes. The not seasonally adjusted index rose 2.7 percent from May to 116.5.

Trucking accounts for nearly 73 percent of domestic freight tonnage, making the index a closely watched measure of freight demand and broader supply chain activity.

Tags: