Freight Ton-Mileage Could Increase 49% by 2045
Ton-miles on the U.S. transportation system are projected to grow by 49% in the next 30 years, according to new freight projections from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the Federal Highway Administration.

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Ton-miles on the U.S. transportation system are projected to grow by 49% in the next 30 years, according to new freight projections from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the Federal Highway Administration.
The transportation system is projected to carry 7.6 trillion ton-miles in 2045, up from the 5.1 trillion ton-miles it supported in 2015, according to version 4.3 of the Freight Analysis Framework. Verison 4.3 is the first release of ton-mile numbers from the updated FAF series that uses a base year of 2012.
Last march, BTS and FHWA also released the projections for freight value and tonnage. FAF data is available for the base year of 2012, the recent years of 2013-2015, and forecasts from 2020 through 2045 in five-year intervals. Users can also use the FAF data Tabulation tool to create and download customized FAF4 summary tables.
More Fleet Management

Color Match Smarter: Tools That Restore & Perform
For fleet managers and collision repair professionals keeping heavy-duty trucks on the road, getting the color right the first time isn't just about appearance — it's about efficiency, turnaround time, and bottom-line results. Discover how today's digital color tools are transforming the repair process from guesswork to precision.
Read More →
FMCSA Pauses Biennial-Update Enforcement Amid Motus Transition
Carriers whose updates were due on or after June 1 have more time, while FMCSA works to stabilize its new registration system and warns of phishing sites impersonating its new carrier registration system, Motus.
Read More →
2026 Blueprint for Countering Smarter Supply Chain Theft
Cargo theft is no longer just the cost of doing business. It's a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise exploiting vulnerabilities across your fleet, drivers, and supply chain.
Read More →
How Telematics Improves Visibility, Control, and Performance in Refrigerated Fleets
Explore how telematics help refrigerated fleets improve visibility, uptime, efficiency, compliance, and cargo protection across connected cold chain operations.
Read More →
What the U.S.-Canada Trade War Means for Trucking
Escalating U.S.-Canada tariffs could disrupt cross-border freight, reduce truck volumes, raise costs, and create new uncertainty for carriers on both sides of the border.
Read More →
What Are Trucking’s Top Concerns for 2026?
The American Transportation Research Institute wants to know what's worrying trucking fleet managers, drivers, and other stakeholders in its annual Industry Issues survey.
Read More →
American Trucking Associations Looks for a New Leader
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear abruptly left his job at the association on August 21, at a pivotal time for the trucking industry.
Read More →
Public Wi-Fi Cybersecurity Risks: How Truck Drivers and Fleets Can Protect Their Data
Public Wi-Fi can expose truck drivers and fleets to credential theft, malware, and other cyber threats. Here’s how to reduce the risk on the road.
Read More →
For Nicky Cupp, Fleet Innovation Starts With Frustration
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Nicky Cupp turns everyday pain points at Fraley & Schilling into opportunities for better technology and smarter processes.
Read More →
Adam Buttgenbach’s Approach to Electric Trucks: Start With Where They Fit
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Adam Buttgenbach helped PepsiCo build one of North America’s largest EV fleets by focusing on where electric trucks make operational sense.
Read More →


