2025 Trucking Perspectives: What the Latest Survey Reveals About Industry Challenges and Opportunities

The trucking industry has long been considered a bellwether for the U.S. economy, and the 2025 Trucking Perspectives survey offers an inside look at how carriers and shippers view the road ahead.  This year’s responses paint a picture of cautious optimism, ongoing workforce struggles, and evolving service offerings—all against the backdrop of shifting policy and economic uncertainty.

Economic Outlook: Guarded Optimism

While 22% of carriers now see the economy trending upward—a 6% rise from last year—the overwhelming majority (70%) remain in the middle ground, acknowledging both growth potential and risk.  The takeaway?  Truckers are hopeful but far from declaring the economy fully back on track.

Truckers’ Biggest Concerns: People First

The most pressing challenge is clear: drivers.  Recruitment, retention, and training now top the list for 70% of carriers, marking a sharp 23-point jump from 2024.  This reflects not only the industry’s aging workforce but also intensifying competition for younger talent.

Other notable challenges include:

• Insurance costs and liabilities (50%)
• Price pressure from customers and competitors (50%)
• Equipment costs (48%)—though down 10 points over the past two years, offering a bit of relief
• Supply chain disruptions (33%), likely tied to tariff policy shifts
• Rising demands for faster deliveries and more capacity, both climbing sharply in 2025

Interestingly, sustainability requirements and electric vehicles slid in priority, reflecting changes in the regulatory and policy environment.  And despite the hype, autonomous trucks barely register as a concern, cited by just 2% of respondents.

Shippers’ Pain Points: Costs and Cargo Theft

For shippers, financial stress remains the dominant theme.  Transportation costs are still the number one concern (74%), but what stands out most this year is the surge in cargo theft worries—up from just 12% in 2023 to 48% today.  That makes security the second-biggest concern for shippers, signaling a shift in risk management priorities.

Other areas shippers flagged include competitive pricing pressure (42%), customer service (40%), and rising insurance costs (39%).  Matching supply and demand efficiently also remains an ongoing challenge.

Expanding Services: Beyond Truckload

Carriers are no longer just moving freight—they’re diversifying.  A striking 83% now operate a freight brokerage or logistics division, a 7-point jump from last year.  Logistics services have overtaken truckload as the most commonly offered solution, with 87% of carriers providing them, followed closely by truckload (83%), brokerage (76%), and less-than-truckload (69%).

Expedited shipping, fueled by e-commerce expectations, has also surged—climbing from 49% to 63% in just two years.  Overall, most carriers are adding rather than shedding services, reinforcing their role as end-to-end partners rather than simple transport providers.

Commodities and Coverage: Where the Wheels Roll

Construction and building materials continue to dominate freight categories, with 85% of carriers serving the sector.  Retail/e-commerce, automotive, and consumer packaged goods also remain strong.  However, service for high-value freight and agriculture has dropped significantly in recent years, hinting at shifting priorities or risk management strategies.

In terms of reach, most carriers (63%) now operate across North America, while U.S.-only operators dipped slightly to 35%.  Global coverage, however, remains rare at just 2%.

Certifications: SmartWay Leads the Pack

When it comes to certifications, the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program remains the gold standard, held by 83% of carriers.  HazMat (69%) and C-TPAT (48%) follow, while other certifications like ACC Responsible Care have seen notable declines.

Shippers’ Decision Drivers: Reliability First

For shippers choosing a carrier, reliability is king (89%)—even more important than cost (81%).  Customer service has also risen sharply in importance, climbing 16 points in one year to reach 70%.  Safety (51%) and capacity (50%) remain critical but are losing ground compared to past years, while sustainability is now at the bottom of the list (18%).

Legislative Landscape: Driver Mandates Take the Spotlight

Policy continues to shape trucking’s future, and in 2025, driver-related mandates are the top legislative concern, cited by 56% of carriers.  Infrastructure, while still significant at 48%, has seen a steep drop in perceived importance since 2023.  Energy and sustainability policy also declined in focus, while healthcare, vehicle weight, and the Highway Trust Fund barely registered.

Final Takeaway

The 2025 Trucking Perspectives survey shows an industry that is evolving rapidly—adding services, managing costs, and grappling with workforce shortages—all while shippers refocus on cargo security and reliability.  The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities for carriers that can adapt quickly and deliver more than just freight.