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Truck Tonnage Index Shows Robust Growth in April

The April Truck Tonnage Index rebounded from a dip in March, indicating a robust freight environment, according to the American Trucking Associations.

May 22, 2018
Truck Tonnage Index Shows Robust Growth in April

The ATA Truck Tonnage Index has shown an average annual gain of 8% so far this year - a good sign for the economy.

Source: ATA

1 min to read


The April Truck Tonnage Index rebounded from a dip in March, indicating a robust freight environment, according to the American Trucking Associations.

ATA’s truck tonnage index represents the trucking industry’s share of domestic freight transportation and is used as a barometer for the U.S. economy as a whole.

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The index increased 2.2% from the previous month, equaling a reading of 112.5 and continuing a steady upward trajectory in 2018. The index has increased 9.5% compared to April 2017, and is averaging an 8% annual gain so far in 2018, easily outpacing the 3.8% average from last year.

Without seasonal adjustment, the April Truck Tonnage Index equaled 109.2, which is actually 4.8% below the previous month’s 114.7.

“Truck freight tonnage remains robust; I don’t think we’ve even seen the traditional spring freight season yet. Plus, the produce season was also delayed due to a cold snap in early spring,” said Bob Costello, ATA chief economist. “Longer-term, strength in consumption, factory output, and construction should keep truck freight tonnage solid for the quarters ahead.”


Related: Truckload Linehaul, Intermodal Rates Hover Near Record Highs

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