Economics and Industry Data

Trucks moved roughly 72.7% of the nation's freight by weight in 2024. That is just one of many statistics calculated and tracked by American Trucking Associations' economics department. 

For more on Trucking Economics, follow Bob Costello, Chief Economist for American Trucking Associations, at @ATAEconBob

Revenue:

In 2024, the nation's trucking freight bill was estimated at $906 billion in gross freight revenues (primary shipments only).

Tonnage:

In 2024, the nation's domestic truck tonnage shipped was estimated at 11.27 billion tons of freight transported (primary shipments only).

Taxes:

• $30.26 billion paid by commercial trucks in federal and state fuel taxes in 2023.
• 24.4¢ in federal fuel tax paid for each gallon of diesel fuel as of January 2025.
• 18.4¢ in federal fuel tax paid for each gallon of gasoline as of January 2025.
• 31.8¢ paid on average in state fuel tax for each gallon of diesel fuel as of 2023.
• 29.9¢ paid on average in state fuel tax for each gallon of gasoline as of 2023.

Number of Trucks:

• 14.89 million single-unit (2-axle, 6-tire or more) and combination trucks registered in 2023, representing 5% of all motor vehicles registered.

Mileage:

• 329.86 billion miles traveled by single-unit and combination trucks in 2023.
• 195.76 billion miles traveled by combination trucks in 2023.

Number of Companies:

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, as of June 2025, there were almost 580,000 active US motor carriers registered with FMCSA that own or lease at least one tractor. Out of those carriers:

• 91.5% operate 10 or fewer trucks.
• 99.3% operate 100 or fewer trucks.

International Trucking:

• Trucks transported 67% of the value of surface trade between the U.S. and Canada in 2024.
• Trucks transported 85% of the value of surface trade between the U.S. and Mexico in 2024.

Employment:

• 8.4 million people employed throughout the economy in jobs that relate to trucking activity in 2024, excluding the self-employed.
• 3.58 million truck drivers employed in 2024 (a decrease of 0.8% from 2023).

See Economics Products