January 22, 2026
American truck freight tonnage increased slightly in December
Trucking activity in the United States increased slightly in December, but volumes remained at low levels after significant declines in September and October. Specifically, truck freight tonnage increased 0.4% after rising 0.2% in November, according to the American Trucking Associations' advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index.
"Despite two consecutive gains, tonnage remains at low levels as the freight metric contracted a total of 2.7% in September and October," said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. "Soft manufacturing and construction activity are continuing to suppress freight levels, as they did for much of last year. For 2025 in total, tonnage rose just 0.1% over the 2024 average, although it was the first annual gain since 2022."
In December, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 112.9, up from 112.4 in November. The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, increased 0.9% from the same month in 2024 after decreasing the two previous months on a year-over-year basis.
Source: ATA