Trucking activity in the United States surged 3% in February, marking the largest sequential increase in several years. 

February’s gains followed a slight decline in January, according to the American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index. 

A Robust Gain

In February, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 115.2, up from 111.9 in January. The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, was up 0.6% from the same month last year, the second straight year-over-year increase, which hasn’t happened since early 2023.

“After a scant 0.1% decline in January, which wasn’t bad considering the harsh winter weather and California wildfires, truck tonnage had a robust gain in February” said ATA chief economist Bob Costello. “This outcome fits well with our growing optimism for the truck freight market after a two-year recession. Some of the gain in February was due to accelerated imports early in the year as shippers rushed to bring products into the U.S. before tariffs hit. Even accounting for this, the first two months of the year were positive, all things considered, indicating that the freight recovery has indeed begun.”

The not seasonally adjusted index, which calculates raw changes in tonnage hauled, equaled 104.8 in February, 4.7% below January’s reading of 110.0. 

ATA recently revised the seasonally adjusted index back five years as part of its annual revision.

A Leading Economic Indicator

ATA noted that trucking serves as a reliable 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.