{"id":18411,"date":"2023-08-03T06:53:07","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T13:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/?post_type=resources&p=18411"},"modified":"2025-09-23T11:19:39","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T18:19:39","slug":"is-the-trucking-industry-growing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/is-the-trucking-industry-growing","title":{"rendered":"Is the Trucking Industry Growing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the wake of the global pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and tense geopolitical conditions, Americans are seeing record fuel prices and inflation rates<\/a>. Trends like these are changing the trucking industry \u2014 perhaps for the better. Amidst all the uncertainty, many wonder if the trucking industry is growing, and the answer is a resounding yes! As consumer behavior continues to shift, having a strong trucking infrastructure is more critical than ever.<\/span><\/p>\n

Much like the hospitality and construction industries, the trucking industry has had to reevaluate standard practices due to the major shifts brought out by the pandemic. From the incorporation of technology on the road, to how companies recruit new talent, the trucking industry is not only growing, it’s changing, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s explore what the landscape of the trucking industry looks like, where it’s going, and how you can find success in this growing industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

How big is the trucking industry?<\/h3>\n

How much is the trucking industry worth? In a comprehensive report from Market Research Future<\/a>, the market worth of freight trucking is estimated to reach a staggering $4,032 billion by 2026. The data suggest that the distribution industry isn’t slowing down anytime soon. In their U.S. freight transportation forecast<\/a>, ATA estimates total freight tonnage will grow from an estimated 15.1 billion tons in 2021 to 19.3 billion tons by 2032. That’s a 28 percent increase, creating substantial room for those in the trucking industry to expand their services and offering plenty of opportunities to secure a new position for those looking to join the industry for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Trucking in a post-pandemic world<\/h3>\n

It’s no secret that the pandemic drastically changed the world and continues to alter the shape of how we live and work. The logistics and distribution industries took a massive hit at the start of the pandemic when the world came to a halt. Now, as things slowly creep to a new normal, carriers, brokers, and shippers have to pivot and re-evaluate how to manage the continuous shifts in the supply chain.<\/span><\/p>\n

The problem is that as people across the globe continue to increase their demand for products, companies are struggling to meet market needs for numerous reasons. Many of the vulnerabilities within the trucking industry have existed for years but were exacerbated by the global pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Addressing driver turnover<\/h3>\n

One of the most significant issues facing the trucking industry is driver turnover. COVID-19 and harsh economic factors make maintaining authority or even just being part of a fleet a challenge, if carriers and truckers aren\u2019t prepared. This can cause drivers to look for opportunities elsewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the next decade, ATA estimates<\/a> that the industry will need to hire nearly a million new drivers to keep up with industry growth and offset the vast number of retirements and voluntary or involuntary leaves. As the industry looks for ways to change how they retain workers, those currently in or looking to join the industry can expect to see some of these quality of life improvements and incentives:<\/span><\/p>\n