The American Trucking Associations' Truck Tonnage Index tracks the physical tonnage hauled by U.S. for-hire carriers each month. It is a direct read on freight volume, independent of price — a key input for fleet utilization planning and dealer inventory timing.
Month-over-month
+0.10 pts
vs prior month
Source: TruckRadar composite
As of 2026-01-01, the ATA Truck Tonnage Index reads 112.8, up 0.6% year over year. The index is indexed to 2015 = 100 and measures physical tonnage hauled by for-hire carriers, not dollars billed. Because the ATA series excludes private fleets and strips out price effects, it is the cleanest single read on freight volume available on a monthly cadence. Fleet managers compare tonnage direction to the BTS Freight Services Index to separate volume moves from price moves: when tonnage rises while BTS flattens, carriers are hauling more at thinner margins. Dealers read sustained tonnage gains as a setup for firmer used Class 8 residuals 60 to 90 days out because fleets lean on existing equipment longer before trading.
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) Truck Tonnage Index measures the gross tonnage hauled by U.S. for-hire trucking. It is based on surveys of ATA carrier members and indexed to 2015 = 100. It excludes private fleets and covers dry van, flatbed, refrigerated, and tanker tonnage.
The BTS index measures output (chained value of trucking services delivered) while the ATA index measures physical tonnage. When diesel or contract prices swing, the two can diverge: tonnage can stay flat while BTS output drops if per-ton revenue falls. Use tonnage for fleet utilization and BTS for carrier revenue direction.
ATA publishes the index monthly, typically on the third Tuesday, covering the prior month. FRED mirrors it as series TRUCKD11 and is usually refreshed within 24 hours of the ATA release.
A sustained rise in tonnage means more freight is moving physically, which typically precedes tightening capacity and firmer contract and spot rates. Fleets respond by extending driver overtime, accelerating new truck deliveries, and bidding contract lanes more firmly. A sustained decline warns of oversupply and signals the need to trim capacity.
Rising tonnage tightens carrier utilization and preserves resale values for late-model sleepers and day cabs because fleets hold equipment longer. Falling tonnage triggers trade-ins at scale and pushes auction volume up, which typically pressures used Class 8 wholesale values down within 60 to 90 days.