"Hauling Ahead: Trucking Set to Drive U.S. Freight into the Future with Soaring Tonnage by 2034"

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has forecasted that trucking will continue to be the leading method of freight transportation in the U.S., with an expected increase in truck tonnage to 14.2 billion tons by 2034. This projection underscores the trucking industry's substantial role, which, as of 2022, accounts for over 72% of freight tonnage and 79% of revenue in the sector. The ATA anticipates trucking's market share will remain steady over the next decade. Trucking revenue is also predicted to rise from $1.01 trillion in 2023 to $1.51 trillion in 2034. Conversely, rail carload tonnage is expected to dip slightly due to reduced coal and petroleum shipments, while rail intermodal revenues and air cargo tonnage are projected to grow. Pipeline freight tonnage is also expected to increase slightly. The ATA emphasizes the importance of these projections for policymakers and industry leaders in shaping future decisions.