ATA: May Truck Tonnage Index Eased 0.1% versus Month Prior


   
Dawn Gallagher
DTN Energy Reporter

   OAKHURST, N.J. (DTN) --- Trucking activity in the United States slipped in 
May as the freight market remained choppy, specifically truck freight tonnage 
decreased 0.1% to 113.8, according to the American Trucking Associations' 
advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index.

   "The seesaw freight demand pattern continued in May, making it difficult to 
discern any clear pattern in the market," said ATA Chief Economist Bob 
Costello. "Excluding the services economy--the largest part of economic 
activity--the goods market is all over the map, thus impacting freight levels. 
Construction is soft, manufacturing is up and down, and consumers are cautious."

   The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents raw changes in tonnage 
hauled, equaled 116.2 in May, 2.9% above April's reading of 112.9.

   The index for May was down 1.3% from the same month last year, the first 
year-over-year decrease in 2025. Year-to-date compared with the same period in 
2024, tonnage was up 0.1%.

   Trucking services as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 72.7% of 
tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including 
manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 11.27 billion tons of freight in 
2024. Motor carriers collected $906 billion, or 76.9% of total revenue earned 
by all transport modes.

   Both indices are dominated by contract freight, as opposed to traditional 
spot market freight. The tonnage index is calculated on surveys from its 
membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure 
and subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each 
month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant 
economic comparisons and key financial indicators.




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