58% of Truckloads Underutilized: Breaking Down the 2024 Freight Study

In a year defined by economic uncertainty and rapidly shifting logistics demands, one trend is raising eyebrows across the freight and supply chain industry: more than half of truckloads in 2024 ran underutilized.

According to a new study conducted by Flock Freight and Drive Research, 58% of truckloads last year moved with significant unused space, up sharply from 43% in 2023.  In real terms, that translates to 34 linear feet of trailer space left empty—meaning every third truck on the road could have been completely consolidated into another.

The Hidden Cost of Empty Trailers

This growing inefficiency is not just a logistical oversight; it’s a serious financial and environmental concern.  While lower freight rates in a soft market have made it more tolerable for shippers to pay for empty space, the long-term costs—in emissions, fuel, and lost capacity—paint a more troubling picture.

“We’re seeing more half-empty trucks on the road than ever before,” said Chris Pickett, Chief Commercial Officer of Flock Freight.  “What shippers truly need is a solution that lets them pay only for the space they use, without sacrificing service quality or cargo security.”

What the Data Reveals

The study, which surveyed 1,000 transportation decision-makers across industries like retail, industrial machinery, and consumer goods, revealed several critical challenges beyond underutilization:

  • On-time delivery is everything: Nearly half of shippers booked full truckloads not out of necessity, but out of fear that alternative options wouldn’t deliver on time.  With the average enterprise paying $6.2 million annually in OTIF late fees, service performance has become the top priority.
  • Freight fraud and theft are costly: Over 1% of shipments were impacted by theft or fraud in 2024, with enterprise shippers losing an average of $9.9 million annually.  High-value sectors like tech, food, and CPG were particularly vulnerable.
  • Rising demand meets rigid infrastructure: As retailers demand faster, in-full deliveries, shippers are being forced to prioritize speed over efficiency, often defaulting to expensive truckload options—even when trailers aren’t fully utilized.

Road Scholar Transport: A Practical Solution to Freight Inefficiency

For shippers seeking to optimize freight utilization and reduce costs, Road Scholar Transport offers tailored solutions that address the challenges highlighted in the study.

Dimensional Freight Solutions:  For those with large, odd-sized, non-palletized freight, Road Scholar doesn’t apply dimensional weight pricing, which can lead to significant cost savings.  Our approach ensures that shippers aren't penalized for the size of their freight, making it an ideal choice for oversized or uniquely shaped items.   View our dimensional freight solutions here.

Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Services:  Our LTL program is designed to maximize efficiency by allowing shippers to pay only for the portion of the trailer they use.  With features like real-time tracking and a .0001% claim record, Road Scholar ensures that shipments are both cost-effective and secure.  Click here to learn more about our LTL services.

By leveraging these services, shippers can avoid the pitfalls of underutilized truckloads, ensuring that their freight moves efficiently and cost-effectively without compromising on delivery performance or cargo security.

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