November 21, 2025
Trucking activity in the United States fell again in October
Trucking activity in the United States fell in October, pushing the level down to the lowest since January. Specifically, truck freight tonnage decreased 2.1% after falling 0.8% in September, according to the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index.
"October's weakness shows the freight market remains very difficult, dropping the most of any single month since January 2024," said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. "As a result, the level of freight was the lowest since January 2025. Compared with a year earlier, tonnage experienced its largest decline in 2025."
In October, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 111.9, down from 114.3 in September. The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, contracted 1.8% from the same month last year after increasing 0.9% in September. Year-to-date, compared with the same period in 2024, tonnage was unchanged.
Source: ATA