Trucking activity in the United States slipped again in April as the freight market remained choppy early in the second quarter. 

That news is according to the American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index.

No Freight Recovery in Sight

According to the report, North American truck freight tonnage decreased 0.3% after contracting 1.5% in March. 

“After surging 2.8% in February, and hitting the highest level since late May 2024, tonnage fell a combined 1.8% in March and April,” said ATA chief economist Bob Costello. “Unfortunately, a recovery that was expected this year hasn’t transpired as the industry deals with a freight market in flux from tariffs and softening economic indicators.”

In April, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 113.0, down from 113.3 in March. 

The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, was up 0.1% from the same month last year, the fourth straight year-over-year increase, albeit the smallest increase over this period. 

The not seasonally adjusted index, which calculates raw changes in tonnage hauled, equaled 112.0 in April, 2.2% below March’s reading of 114.6. 

An Economic Barometer

ATA noted that trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy. The industry represents 72.7% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. 

Trucks hauled 11.27 billion tons of freight in 2024. Motor carriers collected $906 billion, or 76.9% of total revenue earned by all transport modes. 

Both indices are dominated by contract freight, as opposed to traditional spot market freight. The tonnage index is calculated on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s.

This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.