American Trucking Associations
Ata Truck Tonnage Index March 2022 625ffe2c91293

ATA Truck Tonnage Index rises 2.4% in March

April 20, 2022
The seasonally adjusted for-hire index is 3.8% above the March 2021 figures from American Trucking Associations, which tracks contracted freight in the U.S. This was the eighth straight month-to-month gain.

American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 2.4% in March after rising 0.7% in February. The March index was 118.8 (2015=100) versus 116.1 in February.

“It is important to note that ATA’s for-hire tonnage data is dominated by contract freight with minimal amounts of spot market loads,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “And clearly contract freight was solid in March, witnessing the largest sequential gain since May 2020. March was also the eighth straight month-to-month improvement, with a total increase of 7.4% over that period.

“During the first quarter, the index rose 2.4% from the final quarter of 2021 and increased 2.6% from a year earlier. While there might be some recent softness in the spot market, for-hire contract freight tonnage remains solid and is only limited by lack of capacity, both drivers and equipment, at contract fleets.”

See also:  Pent-up demand keeps softening freight market moving

Compared with March 2021, the seasonally adjusted index increased 3.8%, which was the seventh straight year-over-year gain and the largest over that period. In February, the index was up 3.2% from a year earlier. In 2022, year-to-date and compared with the same period in 2021, tonnage was up 2.6%. (February’s increase was revised higher since ATA’s initial reporting last month.)

The non-seasonally-adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 123.9 in March—17.9% above the February level (105.1). In calculating the index, 100 represents 2015. ATA’s For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index is dominated by contract freight instead of spot market freight.

Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 72.5% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 10.23 billion tons of freight in 2020. Motor carriers collected $732.3 billion, or 80.4% of total revenue earned by all transport modes.

ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and is 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.

About the Author

FleetOwner Staff

Our Editorial Team

Kevin Jones, Editorial Director, Commercial Vehicle Group

Josh Fisher, Editor-in-Chief

Jade Brasher, Senior Editor

Jeremy Wolfe, Editor

Jenna Hume, Digital Editor

Eric Van Egeren, Art Director

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

The 20:1 Solution: Unlocking the ROI of a Modern Asset Maintenance Solution

Discover how modern fleet maintenance software can drive step-change improvements in shop efficiency, cost control and vehicle productivity, along with how to calculate the ROI...

Digital and AI Solutions for Rideshare Safety

Anyline’s study, “How Digital AI Solutions Can Enhance Rideshare Safety,” reveals rideshare drivers are overly confident in their tire knowledge, risking passenger safety. Download...

Introducing the World’s First Mobile Tire Tread Scanner

Anyline’s innovation allows accurate tire tread measurement via any mobile device, ensuring legal compliance for fleets. Read more and find out how you can cut operating costs...

Modernizing Fleet Tire Maintenance

Anyline conducted an in-depth survey of nearly 200 U.S.-based fleet professionals from diverse industries. Learn why modernizing fleet maintenance is crucial for safety and efficiency...