Car hauling is moving serious volume and margins at the same time, and the pressure shows up in the unit economics. With U.S. industry revenue reaching $15.2 billion in 2023 and average operating cost per mile at $2.41, small shifts like deadhead mileage and fuel intensity can quickly swing profitability. From load revenue per mile of $3.15 to safety and compliance indicators like an FMCSA out of service rate of 22.5%, the 2023 dataset reveals why car transport performance is as much about operational detail as it is about demand.
Key Takeaways
- Car hauler average operating cost per mile was $2.41 in 2023.
- Fuel costs represented 32% of total expenses for car haulers.
- Gross margins for car hauling firms averaged 18.5% in 2023.
- Average U.S. car hauler trailer capacity is 10 vehicles, with 85% utilization rate in 2023.
- 72% of U.S. car haulers use multi-level open trailers as primary equipment in 2023.
- Total U.S. car carrier trucks numbered 48,500 in 2023, up 1.8% from 2022.
- The U.S. car hauling industry revenue reached $15.2 billion in 2023, reflecting a 5.8% year-over-year growth driven by rising vehicle sales.
- Global car hauling market size was valued at $28.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2023 to 2030.
- North American auto transport market accounted for 42% of global revenue in 2023, totaling approximately $11.9 billion.
- U.S. car hauling crash rate was 1.8 per million miles in 2023.
- 24% of car hauler accidents involved load shifts in 2023.
- FMCSA out-of-service rate for car haulers was 22.5% in 2023 inspections.
- U.S. car hauling drivers numbered 120,000 in 2023, with 8% turnover rate.
- Average car hauler driver salary was $68,500 annually in 2023.
- 62% of car haulers are owner-operators, leasing to major carriers.
In 2023, car haulers managed 5.8% revenue growth with tight 18.5% margins despite fuel-heavy costs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic & Financial17 stats
01
Car hauler average operating cost per mile was $2.41in 2023.
02
Fuel costs represented 32% of total expenses for car haulers.
03
Gross margins for car hauling firms averaged 18.5% in 2023.
04
Average load revenue per mile for car haulers was $3.15in 2023.
05
Deadhead miles averaged 15% of total mileage for car haulers.
06
Insurance premiums rose 11% to $12,000 per truck annually.
07
Labor costs 28% of operating expenses in car hauling.
08
Empty backhaul rate improved to 22% with broker tech.
09
EBITDA for leading car haulers averaged 12.4% in 2023.
10
Toll costs per haul averaged $450for cross-country routes.
11
Rate per vehicle mile for standard cars was $1.20in 2023.
12
Maintenance expenses up 6% to $0.22 per mile.
13
Broker commissions averaged 12.5% of gross revenue.
14
Tax deductions for car haulers included 85% fuel credit.
15
Revenue growth from EV hauling segment at 14% YoY.
16
Average profit per load was $2,800for full trailers.
17
Finance charges 4% of costs due to equipment loans.
Interpretation
Economic & Financial Interpretation
Even as a third of every dollar goes up in diesel smoke and the relentless ghost rides of deadhead miles haunt the bottom line, the smart car hauler survives on the razor-thin margin of a few honest bucks per mile, leaning on technology to catch a backhaul and an accountant to catch a break.
02 · Category
Fleet & Equipment17 stats
01
Average U.S. car hauler trailer capacity is 10 vehicles, with 85% utilization rate in 2023.
02
72% of U.S. car haulers use multi-level open trailers as primary equipment in 2023.
03
Total U.S. car carrier trucks numbered 48,500 in 2023, up 1.8% from 2022.
04
Average age of car hauler tractors is 6.2 years, with 15% electric or hybrid models in 2023.
05
Enclosed car haulers represent 12% of U.S. fleet, used for 22% of high-value transports.
06
GPS tracking installed in 92% of car hauler fleets for real-time monitoring in 2023.
07
Average car hauler trailer length is 80 feet, carrying up to 12 sedans or 8 SUVs.
08
65% of fleets adopted aerodynamic trailers reducing fuel use by 8% in 2023.
09
U.S. car hauler power units totaled 52,000 with 95% diesel-powered in 2023.
10
Removable gooseneck trailers used by 28% of heavy car haulers for flexibility.
11
IoT sensors in 78% of trailers for tire pressure and load monitoring in 2023.
12
Car hauler fleet maintenance costs averaged $0.18per mile in 2023.
13
Triple-deck trailers comprise 45% of long-haul car hauler equipment.
14
14,200 new car hauler trailers registered in U.S. in 2023.
15
Electric car haulers in testing phase reached 500 units across U.S. fleets in 2023.
16
Average fuel efficiency for car haulers improved to 7.2 MPG in 2023.
17
88% of fleets use ELDs mandated for hours-of-service compliance.
Interpretation
Fleet & Equipment Interpretation
While U.S. car haulers are getting more tech-savvy and efficient, gently nudging their average fuel economy toward a princely 7.2 MPG, the industry's core remains a diesel-powered ballet of heavily utilized, multi-level trailers moving an immense volume of vehicles with impressive, if not exactly glamorous, precision.
03 · Category
Market Size & Growth23 stats
01
The U.S. car hauling industry revenue reached $15.2 billion in 2023, reflecting a 5.8% year-over-year growth driven by rising vehicle sales.
02
Global car hauling market size was valued at $28.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2023 to 2030.
03
North American auto transport market accounted for 42% of global revenue in 2023, totaling approximately $11.9 billion.
04
U.S. car hauler freight tonnage increased by 3.7% to 1.2 billion tons in 2023.
05
The car hauling segment within trucking grew 4.5% in 2023, outpacing general freight at 2.9%.
06
European car hauling market expanded to €9.8 billion in 2023, fueled by EV transport demand.
07
U.S. car haulers transported 25 million vehicles in 2023, up 7% from 2022.
08
Asia-Pacific car hauling market is expected to reach $12.5 billion by 2028 at 7.2% CAGR.
09
Car hauling industry employment grew to 145,000 jobs in the U.S. by end of 2023.
10
Revenue per car hauler in the U.S. averaged $285,000annually in 2023.
11
U.S. car hauling market share held by top 4 companies was 35% in 2023.
12
Projected U.S. car hauling growth rate of 4.9% annually through 2028.
13
Global car carrier fleet capacity increased by 2.8% to 1.85 million CEU in 2023.
14
U.S. domestic auto transport revenue hit $8.7 billion in Q4 2023 alone.
15
Car hauling contributed 1.2% to total U.S. trucking revenue of $940 billion in 2023.
16
Mexico's car hauling market grew 6.3% to $2.1 billion in 2023 due to NAFTA trade.
17
U.S. luxury car hauling segment revenue surged 9.2% to $1.8 billion in 2023.
18
Car haulers handled 18% of total U.S. new vehicle deliveries in 2023.
19
Industry profit margin averaged 7.4% in 2023 for U.S. car haulers.
20
Forecasted global car hauling market to hit $45 billion by 2030.
21
U.S. car hauling industry revenue reached $15.2 billion in 2023, reflecting a 5.8% year-over-year growth driven by rising vehicle sales.
22
Global car hauling market size was valued at $28.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2023 to 2030.
23
North American auto transport market accounted for 42% of global revenue in 2023, totaling approximately $11.9 billion.
Interpretation
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
While everyone else is stuck in traffic, the car hauling industry is quietly driving away with billions, proving that the best way to move up in the world is still on the back of a truck.
More related reading
04 · Category
Safety & Regulations14 stats
01
U.S. car hauling crash rate was 1.8 per million miles in 2023.
02
24% of car hauler accidents involved load shifts in 2023.
03
FMCSA out-of-service rate for car haulers was 22.5% in 2023 inspections.
04
Seatbelt usage in car haulers reached 98.7% compliance in 2023.
05
Vehicle load securement violations accounted for 41% of citations.
06
Fatalities in car hauling incidents totaled 156 in 2023.
07
Hours-of-service violations dropped 15% to 12,400 in car haulers.
08
67% of states mandate oversize permits for car haulers over 53 feet.
09
CSA scores averaged 85 for top car haulers in 2023.
10
Brake adjustment violations in 28% of roadside inspections.
11
Insurance claims for car damage during haul averaged $4,200per incident.
12
DOT number compliance at 99.2% for registered car haulers.
13
Winter weather contributed to 19% of car hauler incidents.
14
Annual safety training required for 95% of fleets under FMCSA rules.
Interpretation
Safety & Regulations Interpretation
While car haulers buckle up nearly perfectly at 98.7%, the devilish details persist, as a sobering 22.5% were deemed unsafe to drive and load shifts played a role in nearly a quarter of crashes, proving that securing the cargo is just as critical as securing oneself.
05 · Category
Workforce & Drivers15 stats
01
U.S. car hauling drivers numbered 120,000 in 2023, with 8% turnover rate.
02
Average car hauler driver salary was $68,500annually in 2023.
03
62% of car haulers are owner-operators, leasing to major carriers.
04
Driver shortage in car hauling estimated at 15,000 positions in 2023.
05
45% of drivers have CDL with hazmat endorsement for fuel transports.
06
Average driver age in car hauling is 49 years, with 22% over 55.
07
Women comprise 7.5% of U.S. car hauler drivers in 2023.
08
Training hours for new car hauler drivers average 160 hours including load securement.
09
76% of drivers report job satisfaction due to varied routes.
10
Overtime pay for car haulers averaged 12% of total compensation in 2023.
11
33% of workforce has 10+ years experience in specialized hauling.
12
Unionized drivers in car hauling at 11%, mostly port-related.
13
Dispatchers in car hauling numbered 18,000 with average salary $52,000.
14
92% of drivers use mobile apps for load booking in 2023.
15
Injury rate for car hauler drivers was 3.2 per 100 workers in 2023.
Interpretation
Workforce & Drivers Interpretation
Despite paying decently and offering job satisfaction, the car hauling industry is battling a driver shortage crisis fueled by high physical demands, an aging workforce, and a startlingly low number of women drivers, making its future as precarious as a loosely secured sedan on a bumpy road.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Ryan Townsend. (2026, February 13). Car Hauling Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/car-hauling-industry-statistics
MLA
Ryan Townsend. "Car Hauling Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/car-hauling-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Ryan Townsend. 2026. "Car Hauling Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/car-hauling-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
55 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level