How Many Trucking Companies Are There in the United States?
By Smiljanic Stasha
Last modified: December 11, 2021
The trucking industry refers to transporting large quantities of goods by semi-trailers and large trucks over land. Goods are commonly transported from manufacturing plants to retail distribution centers. Trucks are also used to move large amounts of waste and building materials in the construction industry.
Trucking is responsible for most of the overland freight movement in the United States, with a market worth $791.7 billion in 2019.
So, how many trucking companies are there in the US? Let’s look into some trucking industry statistics 2021 right here!
Trucking Industry Size in the US
According to the US Department of Transportation, there were 996,894 for-hire carriers, 813,440 private carriers, and 83,235 other interstate motor carriers in the US, as of February 2021.
The US transportation system moves around 50 million tons of freight per day, valued at over $53 billion. Most of that freight is moved by truck. Today, the industry finally receives the national recognition it deserves.
What Is the Size of the Trucking Industry in the US?
Trucking companies, the private sector, and warehouses in the United States employ an estimated 8.9 million people in jobs related to trucking, with nearly 3.5 million truck drivers.
Out of this number, UPS employs 60,000 workers, and 9% are owner-operators. In addition, LTL (less-than-truckload) shippers make up nearly 13.6% of the trucking sector in America.
Is the Trucking Industry Growing?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US trucking industry encountered new challenges like most industries in the supply chain sector. People started relying on online shopping, which made e-commerce skyrocket.
