Trucking
Trucking is the most common mode of freight transport in domestic logistics, providing essential first-mile and last-mile connectivity for virtually every supply chain. In the United States alone, the trucking industry generated approximately $906 billion in revenue in 2024, transporting 11.27 billion tons of freight annually. Trucks carry roughly 80% of all domestic freight by value, making trucking the dominant mode for moving goods between factories, distribution centers, ports, rail terminals, and final delivery points.
Whether goods are moving from a factory to a port, between warehouses, or directly to a customer's door, trucks are almost always involved at some stage. The industry encompasses millions of commercial vehicles — from small box trucks handling local deliveries to Class 8 tractor-trailers moving freight cross-country.
Industry Overview
The U.S. trucking industry is highly fragmented, with thousands of carriers ranging from single-truck owner-operators to multi-billion-dollar fleets:
| Segment | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Asset-based carriers | Companies that own trucks and employ drivers | Schneider, J.B. Hunt, Werner, Swift |
| Freight brokers | Intermediaries connecting shippers with carriers (no trucks) | C.H. Robinson, TQL, Coyote Logistics |
| 3PLs with trucking | Logistics providers offering trucking as part of broader services | XPO Logistics, Ryder, Penske |
| Owner-operators | Independent drivers who own their truck and contract with carriers/brokers | Individual truckers (OOIDA members) |
| Private fleets | Companies operating trucks for their own goods (Walmart, Amazon) | Retail and manufacturing fleets |
The trucking sector is divided into two primary service models:
- Full Truckload (FTL): Dedicated trailer for one shipper's freight, direct routes, faster transit
- Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): Consolidated freight from multiple shippers, hub-and-spoke network, cost-efficient for smaller shipments
What This Section Covers
This section covers the fundamental concepts of commercial trucking and ground freight:
- Bill of Lading (BOL) — The trucking bill of lading serves as a receipt, contract of carriage, and proof of delivery. Learn how it differs from ocean and air transport documents.
- FTL vs LTL — Understand the two primary trucking service models: Full Truckload for large shipments and Less-Than-Truckload for smaller freight that shares trailer space.
- Drayage — Short-distance trucking that connects ports, rail terminals, and warehouses. A critical link in intermodal supply chains.
- Intermodal Transport — Combining trucking with rail or ocean transport to move freight efficiently over long distances using standardized containers.
- Freight Classes — The NMFC classification system used in LTL shipping to categorize freight based on density, handling, stowability, and liability.
Key Concepts
Stakeholders
The trucking ecosystem involves multiple parties:
- Shippers: Businesses that need to transport goods
- Consignees: Receivers of freight at the destination
- Carriers: Companies that own trucks and haul freight
- Brokers: Licensed intermediaries (FMC/FMCSA) who arrange transportation but don't own trucks
- 3PLs: Third-party logistics providers managing transportation across multiple modes
- Dispatchers: Coordinate driver assignments, routes, and schedules
- Freight forwarders: Handle documentation and may use trucking as part of multimodal service
Regulation and Compliance
Trucking is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States:
- FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration): Enforces safety regulations, Hours of Service (HOS) rules, and carrier licensing
- Hours of Service: Drivers limited to 11 hours of driving per 14-hour duty period, with mandatory rest breaks
- DOT inspections: Roadside safety checks for vehicle condition, driver logs, and cargo securement
- Operating Authority: Carriers must register with FMCSA and maintain proper insurance
- Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Mandatory since 2017 for recording driver hours
Service Characteristics
Understanding the differences between FTL and LTL is foundational:
| Characteristic | FTL (Full Truckload) | LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical shipment size | 10+ pallets, 10,000+ lbs | 1-10 pallets, 150-10,000 lbs |
| Pricing model | Per mile or flat rate | Per hundredweight (CWT) + fuel |
| Transit time | Faster (direct route) | Slower (hub-and-spoke) |
| Handling | Minimal (1-2 times) | Multiple (each terminal) |
| Freight class | Not applicable | NMFC classes 50-500 |
| Documentation | BOL, rate confirmation | BOL, freight bill, terminal receipts |
Equipment Types
Common trailer types in trucking:
- Dry van (53'): Enclosed trailers for general freight
- Flatbed: Open trailers for oversized/heavy freight
- Refrigerated (reefer): Temperature-controlled for perishables
- Tanker: Liquid bulk (fuel, chemicals, food-grade)
- Specialized: Step-decks, RGN (removable gooseneck), conestoga, curtain-side
Pricing Factors
Trucking rates are influenced by:
- Distance: Longer hauls = lower per-mile cost
- Fuel surcharges: Variable based on DOE diesel prices
- Accessorial charges: Liftgate, inside delivery, detention, lumper fees
- Market conditions: Capacity tightness drives spot rates up
- Shipment characteristics: Weight, dimensions, freight class, special handling
- Seasonality: Peak seasons (retail holidays) see higher rates
Related Topics
Understanding trucking connects to other areas of logistics:
- Ocean Freight — Trucks provide first-mile and last-mile connections to ports for international shipments. See Drayage for port-specific trucking.
- Freight Forwarding — Freight forwarders coordinate trucking as part of door-to-door multimodal service.
- Warehouse Management — Trucks deliver inbound freight to warehouses and pick up outbound shipments. See Receiving & Putaway.
- Parcel Shipment — LTL freight bridges the gap between parcel (<150 lbs) and full truckload shipments.
Resources
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| American Trucking Associations (ATA) | Industry data, trends, advocacy, and research reports | trucking.org |
| Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration | U.S. DOT agency regulating commercial motor vehicles | fmcsa.dot.gov |
| DAT Freight & Analytics | Load boards, rate benchmarks, market reports | dat.com |
| National Motor Freight Traffic Association | Publishes NMFC freight classification standards | nmfta.org |
| FreightWaves SONAR | Real-time freight market intelligence and analytics | freightwaves.com |