The History of Trucking: How an Industry Built the Backbone of the American Economy
The trucking industry is so deeply woven into modern life that it’s easy to forget it hasn’t always been there. Long before overnight deliveries, just-in-time inventory, and nationwide supply chains, moving goods across the country was slow, expensive, and limited by geography. The history of trucking is the story of how innovation, regulation, and resilience transformed transportation—and ultimately reshaped the American economy. Before Trucks: Railroads, Horses, and Dirt Roads In the late 1800s and early 1900s, freight movement relied heavily on railroads, waterways, and horse-drawn wagons. Rail dominated long-haul transport, while wagons handled short local deliveries. Roads were often unpaved, inconsistent, and unreliable, making over-the-road freight impractical for anything beyond short distances. Everything changed with the introduction of the internal combustion engine. The Birth of Trucking (1900s–1920s) The first commercial trucks appeared...