Trucking By the Numbers 2025

Trucking remains the most critical component of the U.S. economy. Fleets move the majority of the nation’s freight by value (63%). Trucks keep grocery shelves full and construction on schedule. Most of those trucks are operated by fleets with five or more power units, even though those fleets represent less than 20% of the net carrier population. The value of truck fleets can hardly be overstated.

Yet “value” is something fleets are sorely wanting in this market’s recession. Freight demand and rates remain depressed, largely due to a stagnant economy and excess trucking capacity. The average dry van spot rate is $2.03 per mile, while the average operating cost for a truck is $2.26 per mile—without accounting for many overhead costs.

The low value of hauls is bringing carriers’ margins into the red. The average for-hire truckload operating margin fell to -2.3%, according to the American Transportation Research Institute’s (ATRI’s) 2024 survey data. Many for-hire companies, especially larger fleets, are shrinking their operations.

The problem is further worsened with the addition of tariffs, business decision paralysis, slowing job growth, and elevated interest rates. The economy is the top industry concern for the third year in a row in ATRI’s latest industry issues survey.

While for-hire suffers hard times, private fleets are growing. Many private fleets had to trim their capacity, but private fleets overall added roughly 90,000 power units. The National Private Truck Council found that private fleets continue to grow the volume of shipments they move. Most (77%) of these carriers did not generate a profit, according to NPTC, but they allowed greater cost control and operational certainty.

Operating with less concern for profitability seems to pay off when managing drivers, who tend to be better paid under private fleets. Private carriers’ driver turnover (18.4%) is a fraction of for-hire driver turnover, which is almost always over 30% and regularly exceeds 50%.

Yet amid all this turbulence, the industry still improves. Technologies are finding new ways to combat fraud, improve fuel efficiency, and save labor. Carriers are improving their safety at every step, for one; although insurance costs continue to rise, the overall number of large truck crashes is still declining—roughly by 3% each year.

FleetOwner gathered the latest trends, challenges, and statistics across several industry organizations. Trucking By the Numbers 2025 defines today’s trucking industry across the next several pages of charts, figures, and datapoints.

Overview: Carrier composition, costs, and impact

The general state of today's trucking industry, as told by fleet composition, costs, and economic impact.

For-hire vs. private: (coming Dec. 16)

How the industry's for-hire and private segments compare—operational stats, driver turnover, and more.

Economics & trade: (coming Dec. 18)

Trucking's most important freight-driving markets have remained stagnant for years. The tariff environment is no help.

Safety & cargo theft: (Dec. 19)

The industry continues to improve its safety and reduce deadly crashes. Cargo theft, meanwhile, is rising.