
Freight volumes are projected to grow nearly 29% over the next 11 years, according to a report released by American Trucking Associations.
Freight volumes are projected to grow nearly 29% over the next 11 years, according to a report released by American Trucking Associations.

The forecast predicts growth for intermodal.

Freight volumes are projected to grow nearly 29% over the next 11 years, according to a report released by American Trucking Associations.
The report projects a 28.6% increase in freight tonnage and an increase in freight revenues of 74.5% to $1.52 trillion in 2026.
ATA’s "U.S. Freight Transportation Forecast to 2026" was produced in collaboration with IHS Global Insight.
“The outlook for all modes of freight transportation remains bright,” said Economist Bob Costello, ATA’s chief economist. “Continued population growth, expansion of the energy sector and foreign trade will boost trucking, intermodal rail and pipeline shipments in particular.”
The report also concluded that trucking will still be the dominant mode of freight transportation, but that its share of the tonnage will dip slightly from 68.8% currently to 64.6% in 2026. The railroad’s share of freight tonnage is forecasted to decrease from 14.2% in 2015 to 12.3% in 2026. Intermodal freight will be the second fastest growing mode at 4.5% annually through 2021 and 5.3% after that.
ATA also projects that the number of Class 8 trucks will grow from 3.56 million units in 2015 to 3.98 million in 2026.
The Forecast can be purchased as a bound volume or downloadable PDF here or by calling 1-888-821-3468.

C.H. Robinson is waiving fees on fuel cards and cash advances for April and May, aiming to help carriers offset rising diesel costs tied to geopolitical instability.
Read More →
Looking for trucking-related conventions, expos, and other events? Heavy Duty Trucking has developed this list of national and larger regional trucking shows and events.
Read More →
After years of steady, methodical progress, Peter Voorhoeve says the OEM’s latest lineup isn’t just evolutionary. It’s delivering real, measurable gains for fleets right now.
Read More →
BeyondTrucks says its new RateAgents can turn plain-language rate logic into working code, starting with fuel surcharges — a critical but notoriously complex piece of carrier revenue.
Read More →
Soft freight conditions persist, but aging fleets, strong order intake, and new-product momentum signal a more optimistic second half of 2026, Volvo Trucks North America says.
Read More →
Cargo theft is evolving from regional smash-and-grab operations to sophisticated fraud schemes. Strategic theft now accounts for roughly a third of cargo crime, with incidents rising sharply in recent years. Here’s how the schemes work — and what fleets can do to protect themselves.
Read More →
Heavy Duty Trucking's Top 20 Products awards recognize the best new products and technologies. Check out the award presentations at the 2026 Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting.
Read More →
The Detroit® Gen 6 engine platform proves that real progress doesn’t require a complete redesign. Built on 20 years of trusted technology, these engines are designed for efficiency, stronger performance, and greater reliability than before. And they do it all while complying with 2027 EPA standards on every mile.
Read More →
The 2026 ACT Expo is focusing heavily on what organizer Erik Neandross calls trucking's digital frontier. This interview excerpt dives into artificial intelligence, zero-emission vehicles, and tips to make sense of it all.
Read More →
There's an amazing amount of new technology for trucking out there. For fleets, the challenge is figuring out what’s real, what’s hype, and what’s worth investing in.
Read More →