Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: August 2024
NAICS 48412Revenue
$280.0bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xbn
Employees
1m
Businesses
616k
Wages
$XX.Xbn
Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US industry analysis
The performance of long-distance freight truckers largely mirrors the US economy. Spikes in consumer spending, manufacturing output and trade volumes drive demand for the industry’s services. This correlation accounted for stagnated growth caused by COVID-19 in 2020 when a drop in manufacturing output and commodity prices led to a dip in spending on transportation needs. A sharp revival in economic activity in 2021 and 2022 amplified transportation activity. This factor, along with soaring fuel prices, caused revenue to soar in these years. More recently, inflationary pressures and heightened energy prices have created a more costly environment, which caused consumer spending to slow down rapidly in 2023, thus hindering revenue and profit. Providers are more optimistic in 2024 as the cooling economy makes it likely that the central bank will bring down the cost of borrowing. Overall, revenue for long-distance freight trucking companies is expected to creep upward at a CAGR of 0.8% during the current period, reaching $280.0 billion in 2024. This includes a 0.3% rise in revenue in that year.
Trends and Insights
- E-commerce growth has significantly boosted demand for long-distance freight truckers. Thanks to the surge in online shopping, trucking companies are expanding their operations to meet the growing needs of retail giants such as Amazon and Walmart.
- Truckload (TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) battle for the best shipping method. The largest TL carriers have low profit and generate less revenue per ton than LTL carriers.
- The Great Lakes region leads the nation among long-distance freight truckers. Chicago, in particular, is a transportation hub facilitating large shipments from out west that need to head to the East Coast.
- Internal competition is fierce because of relatively low barriers to entry, which has resulted in downward pressure on freight rates. It's relatively easy for someone with little capital, experience or expertise to become a long-distance freight trucker.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $280.0bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
E-commerce growth has boosted demand for long-distance freight truckers
- COVID-19 accelerated the shift toward online shopping, driving up demand for long-haul trucking services and putting pressure on the industry to scale up capacity. Even as pandemic-related restrictions lapsed, e-commerce sales have remained strong since many consumers have been exposed to the convenience of online shopping.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Economic expansion will spike demand for freight transportation services nationwide
- As the US economy recovers from challenges related to high inflation, rising interest rates and recessionary fears, consumer spending will hike. This will prompt manufacturers to ramp up production to meet demand for their goods, necessitating freight transportation services to deliver inputs.
Biggest companies in the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hunt J B Transport Services Inc. | 15,459.0 | 1,295.6 | 8.4 | |
Xpo Logistics, Inc. | 8,176.8 | 302.5 | 3.7 | |
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. | 7,586.8 | 1,254.6 | 16.5 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 8 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US
Products & Services
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Truckload carriers, Less-than-truckload carriers and Other transportation services. Truckload carriers is the largest segment of the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US.
Trends and Insights
Truckload (TL) carriers dominate the industry
- Truckload carriers are dedicated entirely to one customer and make door-to-door deliveries of goods, making this segment less labor-intensive than less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Local Freight Trucking in the US
- Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US
- Couriers & Local Delivery Services in the US
Complementors
- General Warehousing & Storage in the US
International industries
- Long-Distance Freight Trucking in Canada
- Road Freight Transport in Australia
- Road Freight Transport in New Zealand
- Freight Road Transport in the UK
- Freight Road Transport in Ireland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in the industry handle various commodities, which are often palletized and transported in containers or van trailers. Players typically provide trucking between metropolitan areas and regions that may cross North American country borders. The industry includes companies operating as a truckload and less-than-truckload carriers.
What's included in this industry?
General long-distance truckload transitGeneral long-distance less-than-truckload transitLogistics planningWarehousing servicesfreight transportation arrangement and customs brokerage servicesCompanies
Hunt J B Transport Services Inc.Xpo Logistics, Inc.Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.Purchase this report to view all 8 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
TRUCKLOADLESS-THAN-TRUCKLOAD (LTL)FUEL SURCHARGEJUST-IN-TIME (JIT)DELIVERED IN-FULL ON-TIME (DIFOT)Industry Code
NAICS 48412 - Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
E-commerce growth has significantly boosted demand for long-distance freight truckers. Thanks to the surge in online shopping, trucking companies are expanding their operatio...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Truckload (TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) battle for the best shipping method. The largest TL carriers have low profit and generate less revenue per ton than LTL carriers.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The Great Lakes region leads the nation among long-distance freight truckers. Chicago, in particular, is a transportation hub facilitating large shipments from out west that ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Internal competition is fierce because of relatively low barriers to entry, which has resulted in downward pressure on freight rates. It's relatively easy for someone with li...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Yellow, the largest less-than-load (LTL) transport company in the United States, filed for bankruptcy in 2023. The company's high service costs stemmed from its unionized wor...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Hunt J B Transport Services Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Xpo Logistics, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 5 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Hunt J B Transport Services Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Xpo Logistics, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 5 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The US Trucking Association (ATA) is self-regulating. It’s the largest and most comprehensive national trade association for the trucking industry.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Economic conditions have severely impacted profit for long-distance freight truckers. Supply chain disruptions, diminished fuel surcharges, rising inflation and recessionary ...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States is $280.0bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US industry in 2024?
There are 616k businesses in the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 4.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Long-Distance Freight Trucking market in United States are Hunt J B Transport Services Inc., Xpo Logistics, Inc. and Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
What does the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US in United States include?
General long-distance truckload transit and General long-distance less-than-truckload transit are part of the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Hunt J B Transport Services Inc..
How competitive is the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States.
