Tonnage Remains at Highest Levels since 2022
Washington – Trucking activity in the United States remained unchanged in April after increasing 1% in March, according to the American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index.
“April’s unchanged tonnage level is more impressive when considering that the index increased a total of 4.7% since the end of 2025 and hasn’t decreased so far in 2026,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “The index is back to levels last seen during the fall of 2022.”
In April, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 117.8. The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, increased 3.5% from the same month in 2025, down slightly from March’s 3.7% increase. During the first four months of the year, tonnage was up 2.6% from the same period last year. In 2025, the tonnage index was flat compared to the 2024 average.
March’s SA increase was revised up slightly from what was first reported in our April 21 press release.
The not seasonally adjusted index, which calculates raw changes in tonnage hauled, equaled 116.8 in April, 3.4% below March’s reading of 120.9.
Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 72.7% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 11.27 billion tons of freight in 2024.* Motor carriers collected $906 billion, or 76.9% of total revenue earned by all transport modes.
Both indices are dominated by contract freight, as opposed to traditional spot market freight. The tonnage index is calculated on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.
* 2024 estimates include forecasts.