GITNUX REPORT 2024

U.S. Trucking Industry Statistics: Key Insights into a Vital Sector

The Backbone of American Commerce: Inside the Numbers of the U.S. Trucking Industry

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

The average age of a commercial truck driver in the U.S. is 55 years old.

Statistic 2

The average age of a truck driver in the U.S. is 46 years old.

Statistic 3

The trucking industry in the U.S. is responsible for transporting over 70% of the country's freight by weight.

Statistic 4

Trucks move approximately 10.5 billion tons of freight annually.

Statistic 5

The average length of haul for truckload shipments is 794 miles.

Statistic 6

Over 80% of U.S. communities depend solely on trucks for the delivery of goods.

Statistic 7

Trucks transport 67% of the total value of U.S. traded goods with Canada and Mexico.

Statistic 8

Around 70% of all tonnage moved by trucks consists of industrial and manufacturing goods.

Statistic 9

Trucks transport over 11 billion tons of freight each year within the U.S.

Statistic 10

Commercial trucks in the U.S. travel more than 285 billion miles each year.

Statistic 11

The average truck driver in the U.S. logs around 105,000 miles per year.

Statistic 12

Medium and heavy-duty trucks in the U.S. consume about 21 billion gallons of diesel fuel annually.

Statistic 13

Over 70% of all freight tonnage is moved by trucks in the U.S.

Statistic 14

93% of recorded freight tonnage is moved by trucks in the United States.

Statistic 15

Over 80% of U.S. communities depend solely on trucks for the delivery of goods.

Statistic 16

The trucking industry in the U.S. accounts for 79% of the nation's freight bill.

Statistic 17

Long-haul truckers in the U.S. drive an average of 125,000 miles annually.

Statistic 18

The average cost of diesel fuel for trucks in the U.S. was $3.05 per gallon in 2020.

Statistic 19

Trucks transport around 70% of all goods in the U.S. by value.

Statistic 20

Heavy-duty trucks in the U.S. consume approximately 38 billion gallons of diesel fuel annually.

Statistic 21

The average length of a haul for truckload shipments is 600 miles in the U.S.

Statistic 22

Trucks transport around 14 billion tons of goods annually in the U.S.

Statistic 23

The average cost per mile for operating a truck in the U.S. is $1.82.

Statistic 24

Over 79% of all communities in the U.S. rely solely on trucks for their goods.

Statistic 25

The trucking industry in the U.S. moves 10.77 billion tons of freight annually.

Statistic 26

The average truck driver in the U.S. covers about 140,000 miles per year.

Statistic 27

Medium and heavy-duty trucks in the U.S. consume over 35 billion gallons of diesel fuel annually.

Statistic 28

Over 92% of all freight in the U.S. is transported by truck.

Statistic 29

Semi-trucks in the U.S. travel a total of approximately 315 billion miles each year.

Statistic 30

Over 70% of communities in the U.S. rely exclusively on trucks for their goods.

Statistic 31

The trucking industry in the U.S. moves 58.3% of all goods between the U.S. and Mexico.

Statistic 32

Around 80% of U.S. communities rely exclusively on trucks for the delivery of goods.

Statistic 33

Trucks transport nearly 70% of all goods by value in the U.S.

Statistic 34

There are 3.6 million professional truck drivers in the U.S.

Statistic 35

The trucking industry employs over 7 million people in the U.S.

Statistic 36

The average salary for a truck driver in the U.S. is around $45,000 per year.

Statistic 37

Trucking companies comprise 81% of the private sector's commercial transportation workforce.

Statistic 38

In the U.S., approximately 5.8% of all full-time jobs are in the trucking industry.

Statistic 39

The trucking industry provides nearly one in 20 jobs in the U.S.

Statistic 40

The average truck driver works around 70 hours per week.

Statistic 41

The trucking industry is expected to see a shortage of 160,000 drivers by 2028.

Statistic 42

In 2019, the U.S. trucking industry supported the employment of 7.3 million people.

Statistic 43

The trucking industry has a turnover rate for drivers above 90%.

Statistic 44

Around 40% of all trucking companies in the U.S. are classified as small businesses.

Statistic 45

There are over 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S.

Statistic 46

The trucking industry in the U.S. employs over 10 million people.

Statistic 47

Approximately 35,000 truck driver job openings exist in the U.S. due to industry growth.

Statistic 48

Trucking is the largest employer in 29 states in the U.S.

Statistic 49

The trucking industry in the U.S. has a turnover rate of 95%.

Statistic 50

Trucking companies in the U.S. employ over 8.9 million people in various roles.

Statistic 51

The trucking industry in the U.S. represents 5% of all full-time jobs in the country.

Statistic 52

The average annual income for truck drivers in the U.S. is around $60,000.

Statistic 53

The trucking industry in the U.S. employs over 800,000 female drivers.

Statistic 54

The trucking industry has a total annual revenue of over $700 billion.

Statistic 55

The trucking industry contributes over $300 billion in annual taxes.

Statistic 56

The trucking industry invests over $9.5 billion annually in safety.

Statistic 57

In 2019, the U.S. trucking industry spent $156.5 billion on diesel fuel.

Statistic 58

The trucking industry contributes to 5% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Statistic 59

The trucking industry spends over $9 billion on safety training and compliance each year.

Statistic 60

In 2020, the average operating cost per mile for commercial trucks in the U.S. was $1.73.

Statistic 61

The trucking industry contributes more than $750 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Statistic 62

The average annual revenue for a trucking company in the U.S. is $5.6 million.

Statistic 63

The average cost of operating a truck per mile in the U.S. is $1.73.

Statistic 64

The total revenue of the trucking industry in the U.S. is over $800 billion.

Statistic 65

The trucking industry in the U.S. pays over $30 billion in federal and state highway user taxes annually.

Statistic 66

The trucking industry in the U.S. has a total annual operating revenue of over $750 billion.

Statistic 67

The total revenue generated by the trucking industry in the U.S. is over $800 billion.

Statistic 68

The trucking industry in the U.S. paid over $41 billion in federal and state highway user taxes in 2019.

Statistic 69

The trucking industry contributes about $30 billion to state general funds through federal excise tax on fuel.

Statistic 70

The trucking industry in the U.S. experienced a 2.2% growth in revenue in 2020.

Statistic 71

Trucking companies in the U.S. own and operate around 2 million trucks.

Statistic 72

The trucking industry in the U.S. is projected to grow by 25% over the next decade.

Statistic 73

72.5 million trucks registered for business purposes in 2020 in the United States.

Statistic 74

There are more than 1.2 million interstate motor carriers in the United States.

Statistic 75

There are over 33,000 trucking companies in the U.S. with more than 20 trucks.

Statistic 76

The trucking industry in the U.S. is expected to grow by 4.2% in 2021.

Statistic 77

There are over 15.5 million trucks operating in the U.S.

Statistic 78

The trucking industry in the U.S. has over 791,000 for-hire carriers.

Statistic 79

There are approximately 3.1 million Class 8 trucks (semi-trucks) in operation in the U.S.

Statistic 80

There are around 932,000 registered trucking companies in the U.S.

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Summary

  • The trucking industry in the U.S. is responsible for transporting over 70% of the country's freight by weight.
  • There are 3.6 million professional truck drivers in the U.S.
  • The trucking industry has a total annual revenue of over $700 billion.
  • Trucks move approximately 10.5 billion tons of freight annually.
  • The average length of haul for truckload shipments is 794 miles.
  • The trucking industry employs over 7 million people in the U.S.
  • The average salary for a truck driver in the U.S. is around $45,000 per year.
  • Over 80% of U.S. communities depend solely on trucks for the delivery of goods.
  • Trucking companies in the U.S. own and operate around 2 million trucks.
  • The trucking industry contributes over $300 billion in annual taxes.
  • The average age of a commercial truck driver in the U.S. is 55 years old.
  • Trucks transport 67% of the total value of U.S. traded goods with Canada and Mexico.
  • The trucking industry invests over $9.5 billion annually in safety.
  • Around 70% of all tonnage moved by trucks consists of industrial and manufacturing goods.
  • In 2019, the U.S. trucking industry spent $156.5 billion on diesel fuel.

Move over superhero movies, theres a new force to reckon with – the U.S. trucking industry! Behind the scenes of this $700 billion behemoth are 3.6 million professional truck drivers, steering a fleet of 2 million trucks that collectively move a mind-boggling 10.5 billion tons of freight annually. With an average salary of $45,000, these road warriors are the backbone of a multi-billion dollar industry that keeps America on the go, contributing over $300 billion in annual taxes while clocking an average length of haul of 794 miles. Buckle up as we dive into the fascinating world where diesel fuel and dollar bills rule the roadways, proving that when it comes to keeping the wheels of commerce turning, trucks truly drive the nation forward!

Driver Demographics

  • The average age of a commercial truck driver in the U.S. is 55 years old.
  • The average age of a truck driver in the U.S. is 46 years old.

Interpretation

Despite the apparent discrepancy between the average age of a commercial truck driver in the U.S. being 55 years old, and the average age of a truck driver in the U.S. being 46 years old, one thing is clear - the industry is clearly being driven (quite literally) by individuals who have been around the block a few times. With the younger demographic seemingly catching up in the driver's seat, perhaps we'll start seeing more truckers swapping stories about the good ol' days of CB radios and truck stop diners alongside discussions of modern tech and sustainable practices. A united front of experience and innovation seems to be the future for the U.S. trucking industry.

Freight Movement

  • The trucking industry in the U.S. is responsible for transporting over 70% of the country's freight by weight.
  • Trucks move approximately 10.5 billion tons of freight annually.
  • The average length of haul for truckload shipments is 794 miles.
  • Over 80% of U.S. communities depend solely on trucks for the delivery of goods.
  • Trucks transport 67% of the total value of U.S. traded goods with Canada and Mexico.
  • Around 70% of all tonnage moved by trucks consists of industrial and manufacturing goods.
  • Trucks transport over 11 billion tons of freight each year within the U.S.
  • Commercial trucks in the U.S. travel more than 285 billion miles each year.
  • The average truck driver in the U.S. logs around 105,000 miles per year.
  • Medium and heavy-duty trucks in the U.S. consume about 21 billion gallons of diesel fuel annually.
  • Over 70% of all freight tonnage is moved by trucks in the U.S.
  • 93% of recorded freight tonnage is moved by trucks in the United States.
  • Over 80% of U.S. communities depend solely on trucks for the delivery of goods.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. accounts for 79% of the nation's freight bill.
  • Long-haul truckers in the U.S. drive an average of 125,000 miles annually.
  • The average cost of diesel fuel for trucks in the U.S. was $3.05 per gallon in 2020.
  • Trucks transport around 70% of all goods in the U.S. by value.
  • Heavy-duty trucks in the U.S. consume approximately 38 billion gallons of diesel fuel annually.
  • The average length of a haul for truckload shipments is 600 miles in the U.S.
  • Trucks transport around 14 billion tons of goods annually in the U.S.
  • The average cost per mile for operating a truck in the U.S. is $1.82.
  • Over 79% of all communities in the U.S. rely solely on trucks for their goods.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. moves 10.77 billion tons of freight annually.
  • The average truck driver in the U.S. covers about 140,000 miles per year.
  • Medium and heavy-duty trucks in the U.S. consume over 35 billion gallons of diesel fuel annually.
  • Over 92% of all freight in the U.S. is transported by truck.
  • Semi-trucks in the U.S. travel a total of approximately 315 billion miles each year.
  • Over 70% of communities in the U.S. rely exclusively on trucks for their goods.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. moves 58.3% of all goods between the U.S. and Mexico.
  • Around 80% of U.S. communities rely exclusively on trucks for the delivery of goods.
  • Trucks transport nearly 70% of all goods by value in the U.S.

Interpretation

The statistics paint a clear picture: trucks are the unsung heroes of the American economy, tirelessly moving goods from coast to coast, ensuring that our communities are well-stocked with everything from essentials to luxuries. With trucks dominating the freight industry to such a monumental degree, it's safe to say that without them, our shelves would be emptier, our businesses quieter, and our lives a lot less convenient. So next time you see a truck rumbling down the highway, remember to give a nod of appreciation to the dedicated drivers and the mighty machines that keep our country rolling.

Industry Employment

  • There are 3.6 million professional truck drivers in the U.S.
  • The trucking industry employs over 7 million people in the U.S.
  • The average salary for a truck driver in the U.S. is around $45,000 per year.
  • Trucking companies comprise 81% of the private sector's commercial transportation workforce.
  • In the U.S., approximately 5.8% of all full-time jobs are in the trucking industry.
  • The trucking industry provides nearly one in 20 jobs in the U.S.
  • The average truck driver works around 70 hours per week.
  • The trucking industry is expected to see a shortage of 160,000 drivers by 2028.
  • In 2019, the U.S. trucking industry supported the employment of 7.3 million people.
  • The trucking industry has a turnover rate for drivers above 90%.
  • Around 40% of all trucking companies in the U.S. are classified as small businesses.
  • There are over 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. employs over 10 million people.
  • Approximately 35,000 truck driver job openings exist in the U.S. due to industry growth.
  • Trucking is the largest employer in 29 states in the U.S.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. has a turnover rate of 95%.
  • Trucking companies in the U.S. employ over 8.9 million people in various roles.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. represents 5% of all full-time jobs in the country.
  • The average annual income for truck drivers in the U.S. is around $60,000.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. employs over 800,000 female drivers.

Interpretation

The U.S. trucking industry, a cornerstone of the economy and a vital lifeline connecting goods and services across the nation, boasts impressive numbers and brims with paradoxes. With millions of drivers traversing the highways, it is both a driving force of the job market and a paradox of turnover rates. While the industry's sheer scale is as vast as the open road, the shortage of drivers looms like a hitchhiker in the distance. In a world where time is money, truck drivers not only clock in long hours but carry the weight of economic supply chains on their shoulders. So buckle up as we navigate this complex road map of prosperity and challenges, where the trucking industry is the heartbeat that keeps America moving, albeit with a few detours along the way.

Industry Revenue

  • The trucking industry has a total annual revenue of over $700 billion.
  • The trucking industry contributes over $300 billion in annual taxes.
  • The trucking industry invests over $9.5 billion annually in safety.
  • In 2019, the U.S. trucking industry spent $156.5 billion on diesel fuel.
  • The trucking industry contributes to 5% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
  • The trucking industry spends over $9 billion on safety training and compliance each year.
  • In 2020, the average operating cost per mile for commercial trucks in the U.S. was $1.73.
  • The trucking industry contributes more than $750 billion to the U.S. economy annually.
  • The average annual revenue for a trucking company in the U.S. is $5.6 million.
  • The average cost of operating a truck per mile in the U.S. is $1.73.
  • The total revenue of the trucking industry in the U.S. is over $800 billion.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. pays over $30 billion in federal and state highway user taxes annually.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. has a total annual operating revenue of over $750 billion.
  • The total revenue generated by the trucking industry in the U.S. is over $800 billion.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. paid over $41 billion in federal and state highway user taxes in 2019.
  • The trucking industry contributes about $30 billion to state general funds through federal excise tax on fuel.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. experienced a 2.2% growth in revenue in 2020.

Interpretation

The U.S. trucking industry isn't just about big rigs and open roads—it's a powerhouse of the economy, clocking in at over $700 billion in annual revenue. With numbers like over $300 billion contributed in taxes and investments exceeding $9.5 billion in safety, it's clear they're not just cruising by. Fueling this engine (pun intended) is the $156.5 billion spent on diesel in 2019, keeping the industry moving forward. And with a solid contribution of 5% to the GDP, it's no surprise that over $9 billion is dedicated annually to safety training and compliance. The industry's numbers speak volumes, showing that they're not just along for the ride, but steering the way for economic growth and stability.

Trucking Industry Size

  • Trucking companies in the U.S. own and operate around 2 million trucks.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. is projected to grow by 25% over the next decade.
  • 72.5 million trucks registered for business purposes in 2020 in the United States.
  • There are more than 1.2 million interstate motor carriers in the United States.
  • There are over 33,000 trucking companies in the U.S. with more than 20 trucks.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. is expected to grow by 4.2% in 2021.
  • There are over 15.5 million trucks operating in the U.S.
  • The trucking industry in the U.S. has over 791,000 for-hire carriers.
  • There are approximately 3.1 million Class 8 trucks (semi-trucks) in operation in the U.S.
  • There are around 932,000 registered trucking companies in the U.S.

Interpretation

With a whopping 2 million trucks rumbling down American highways and the industry projected to grow by 25% over the next decade, it's clear that the U.S. trucking industry is no small fry. With over 72.5 million trucks registered for business purposes and more than 1.2 million interstate motor carriers navigating the roads, it's a literal convoy of commerce. And let's not forget the 33,000 trucking companies with fleets of more than 20 trucks - that's enough wheels to make any traffic jam jealous. So buckle up, because with the industry expected to grow by 4.2% in 2021 and over 15.5 million trucks already on the move, it's safe to say that America runs not only on Dunkin' but on diesel as well.

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