Trucking Industry Poised for Remarkable Growth: A Look at the ATA's Freight Forecast to 2035

The trucking industry is on the brink of a transformative decade, as highlighted by the latest findings in the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) “Freight Transportation Forecast 2024 to 2035” report, published in collaboration with S&P Global Market Intelligence.  Despite challenges over the past few years, trucking remains the cornerstone of freight transportation in the United States, poised for significant growth in both tonnage and revenue by 2035.

Key Highlights from the ATA Forecast

  1. Unmatched Dominance in Freight Movement
    By 2035, trucking is projected to move an astounding 13.99 billion tons of freight, up from 11.27 billion tons in 2024.  This represents an impressive 76.8% share of the freight market, reaffirming the industry’s essential role in the nation’s supply chain.
  2. Revenue Growth on the Horizon
    The forecast indicates that trucking revenues are set to climb from $906 billion in 2024 to $1.46 trillion by 2035.  This substantial growth underscores the sector's ability to adapt to economic shifts while maintaining its dominance in freight logistics.
  3. Performance Across Other Modes
    While trucking’s market share continues to grow, other freight modes, such as rail and air cargo, are also experiencing shifts:
    • Rail freight: Coal shipments are declining, with rail’s share of carload tonnage expected to dip slightly, though rail intermodal tonnage is projected to rise modestly.
    • Air and waterborne cargo: Both modes are set for moderate growth, reflecting the diversification of freight movement strategies.
    • Pipeline transport: Gains are expected as demand for energy-related freight stabilizes.

Trucking: A Cornerstone of the Supply Chain

As ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello points out, trucking comprises 72.7% of tonnage and 76.9% of revenue in 2024, a share expected to hold steady through the next decade.  This consistency demonstrates the reliance of the U.S. economy on trucking to connect production, distribution, and retail markets.

ATA President and CEO Chris Spear emphasizes the critical role of understanding freight trends in shaping industry policies.  “Knowledge is power,” Spear notes, urging policymakers to leverage this data for decisions that support the trucking industry and the economy.

Why Trucking’s Role is Irreplaceable

At its core, trucking is the beginning and the end of many supply chain journeys.  From last-mile delivery of e-commerce packages to the transport of raw materials to factories, trucks play an integral role in keeping goods flowing.  This ubiquitous presence ensures that the trucking industry remains resilient, even in times of uncertainty or unusual market conditions.

Trucking in the Era of Emerging Trends

The supply chain is continuously evolving, with new technologies and trends reshaping logistics:

  • Digital brokerage platforms streamline freight matching and improve operational efficiency.
  • Last-mile delivery innovations are reducing delivery times for consumers.
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) is enabling smarter route planning and predictive maintenance for fleets.

These advancements, coupled with trucking’s adaptability, ensure that the industry will not only meet the forecasted growth but will also play a pivotal role in the future of logistics.

Looking Ahead

As the trucking industry prepares to transport nearly 14 million tons of freight by 2035, it’s clear that its role as a backbone of the U.S. economy is stronger than ever.  The growth projections from the ATA’s forecast are a call to action for policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to invest in infrastructure, technology, and workforce development to sustain this upward trajectory.

For a deeper dive into these trends and data, consider exploring the full ATA report available at ATA Business Solutions.

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