State of the Industry Report: Trucking Statistics 2025
Methodology & Data Sources
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This report is based on data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Company Census, which maintains records of all motor carriers registered to operate commercial vehicles in the United States. This comprehensive dataset provides the foundation for accurate trucking industry statistics.
Data Source and Scope
- Data Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Company Census database, accessed for analysis in 2025.
- Geographic Coverage: The dataset includes motor carriers headquartered in the United States, as well as companies based in Mexico and Canada that hold valid operating authority to conduct commercial transportation within U.S. borders.
- Temporal Scope: This analysis represents a snapshot of the trucking industry at the time of data extraction. The FMCSA database does not maintain historical records of registration changes; entries are updated when carriers modify their registration information or operating status.
Data Exclusions and Filtering
- Passenger Vehicle Operators: Companies primarily engaged in passenger transportation services (buses, shuttles, passenger vans) were excluded from this analysis. The focus of this report is specifically on freight and cargo transportation operations.
- Inactive Carriers: Carriers with inactive or revoked operating authority were excluded from the analysis to ensure the data reflects only active, operational companies.
Data Classification and Categorization
- Fleet Size Categories: Operators were categorized into four fleet size segments: Single Truck (1 vehicle), Small Fleet (2-10 vehicles), Medium Fleet (11-50 vehicles), and Large Fleet (50+ vehicles).
- Operation Types: Carriers were classified based on their operating authority (interstate vs. intrastate) and business model (for-hire vs. private carriage).
- Cargo Specialization: Operators were categorized according to their primary cargo type based on FMCSA registration data, with many carriers reporting multiple cargo types.
Limitations and Considerations
- The data reflects registered motor carriers and may not capture all commercial vehicle operations, particularly those operating without proper registration or in violation of regulations.
- Fleet size and vehicle counts are self-reported by carriers and may not always reflect current operational status or actual vehicle availability.
- The snapshot nature of the data means that seasonal variations, temporary fleet expansions or reductions, and recent market changes may not be fully captured.
- Some carriers may be registered in multiple states or under different operating authorities, which could result in duplicate counting in certain analyses.
Over 90% of trucking companies operate fleets smaller than 20 vehicles, yet control less than a quarter of the market. Certain states host three times more carriers per capita than others. This comprehensive analysis dives deep into FMCSA census data to uncover the hidden patterns shaping America's $906 billion trucking industry. Discover which cargo types are surging, where the workforce is shifting, and how fleet strategies vary by region, insights that could reshape your logistics decisions.
1. Fleet Composition and Size
The trucking industry is characterized by significant diversity in fleet sizes, ranging from single-truck owner-operators to large fleets with hundreds of vehicles. Understanding this distribution is crucial for comprehending industry dynamics, competitive structures, and operational challenges.
Fleet Size Distribution
Key Insights
- •Single-truck operations represent the largest segment with 1,156,728 operators, highlighting the industry's fragmentation.
- •Only 14,292 operators operate large fleets (50+ trucks), representing less than 1% of all carriers.
- •The industry's fragmented structure creates distinct operational models and competitive dynamics across different fleet sizes.
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| Fleet Category | Number of Operators | Total Truck Units | Units per Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Truck | 1,156,728 | 1,156,728 | 1.00 |
| Small Fleet (2-10) | 668,962 | 2,301,519 | 3.44 |
| Medium Fleet (11-50) | 71,383 | 1,469,879 | 20.59 |
| Large Fleet (50+) | 14,292 | 2,583,792 | 180.79 |
2. Geographic Distribution Statistics
The geographic distribution of trucking companies reflects economic activity, population centers, and transportation infrastructure. Understanding regional patterns helps identify market concentrations, competitive dynamics, and operational considerations across different areas of the country.
Top States by Number of Operators
Key Insights
- •California leads with 232,570 registered motor carriers, followed by Texas ( 166,687) and Florida (131,900).
- •Trucking companies are heavily concentrated in the Southern and Midwestern regions, driven by manufacturing activity and major transportation corridors.
- •Urban areas host the majority of operations, though rural carriers provide essential connectivity for less populated regions.
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| State | Operators | Truck Units | Total Drivers | Total CDL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA | 232,570 | 652,676 | 1,146,451 | 598,033 |
| TX | 166,687 | 630,400 | 890,603 | 655,155 |
| FL | 131,900 | 380,153 | 769,988 | 367,961 |
| NY | 116,716 | 340,498 | 437,303 | 254,622 |
| GA | 93,374 | 295,047 | 384,349 | 279,696 |
| PA | 72,642 | 336,670 | 369,703 | 207,296 |
| MI | 70,579 | 281,893 | 342,083 | 166,116 |
| MN | 65,771 | 216,570 | 334,967 | 119,994 |
| WI | 59,452 | 236,057 | 285,412 | 139,788 |
| IL | 47,288 | 339,028 | 354,214 | 281,140 |
| NC | 47,223 | 208,184 | 274,484 | 138,985 |
| WA | 46,600 | 176,241 | 269,767 | 95,235 |
| CO | 45,543 | 171,168 | 196,362 | 83,402 |
| OH | 43,745 | 280,375 | 304,751 | 206,829 |
| NJ | 42,497 | 165,481 | 177,628 | 103,199 |
| IN | 42,409 | 210,516 | 217,670 | 131,528 |
| KY | 40,154 | 120,493 | 181,151 | 116,836 |
| MD | 39,734 | 131,206 | 147,731 | 153,144 |
| MA | 35,496 | 134,665 | 461,135 | 52,104 |
| AL | 32,332 | 126,357 | 180,507 | 77,616 |
| NE | 27,088 | 103,381 | 108,505 | 62,987 |
| AZ | 26,922 | 145,375 | 151,419 | 153,259 |
| OR | 26,197 | 89,548 | 90,292 | 146,827 |
| OK | 24,954 | 97,854 | 117,577 | 108,042 |
| IA | 24,785 | 120,371 | 122,007 | 93,960 |
| MO | 22,905 | 147,658 | 156,781 | 110,404 |
| UT | 21,954 | 95,988 | 105,409 | 48,894 |
| VA | 21,781 | 117,535 | 130,702 | 80,245 |
| TN | 21,612 | 138,913 | 166,376 | 119,215 |
| SC | 21,319 | 80,587 | 126,841 | 137,383 |
| CT | 18,948 | 65,232 | 84,000 | 132,908 |
| KS | 17,463 | 85,727 | 83,641 | 49,960 |
| ME | 13,239 | 40,129 | 73,676 | 24,411 |
| ID | 12,527 | 49,110 | 49,915 | 32,530 |
| MS | 10,990 | 50,868 | 54,523 | 40,159 |
| NM | 10,686 | 39,042 | 35,809 | 24,995 |
| WV | 10,646 | 34,992 | 35,599 | 20,087 |
| LA | 10,475 | 49,853 | 55,686 | 33,456 |
| AR | 9,451 | 88,116 | 93,113 | 77,489 |
| NV | 8,556 | 32,737 | 35,189 | 21,211 |
| MT | 8,224 | 29,553 | 29,132 | 20,215 |
| ND | 6,106 | 38,158 | 36,531 | 23,953 |
| WY | 6,000 | 22,115 | 20,783 | 14,454 |
| SD | 5,950 | 26,557 | 34,985 | 18,390 |
| AK | 5,855 | 22,645 | 24,510 | 12,578 |
| NH | 5,675 | 24,523 | 26,003 | 12,303 |
| DE | 4,264 | 18,038 | 18,815 | 9,448 |
| HI | 4,204 | 17,865 | 19,295 | 8,604 |
| RI | 3,872 | 17,534 | 18,886 | 8,953 |
| PR | 3,666 | 16,859 | 16,780 | 30,406 |
| VT | 2,187 | 9,157 | 9,457 | 5,852 |
| DC | 618 | 3,675 | 8,010 | 1,664 |
| GU | 361 | 1,844 | 1,983 | 600 |
| VI | 87 | 494 | 370 | 134 |
| MP | 14 | 77 | 90 | 68 |
| AS | 13 | 90 | 47 | 13 |
3. Operations Type
Motor carriers operate under different regulatory frameworks depending on whether they conduct interstate or intrastate operations. Additionally, carriers are classified by their business model: for-hire carriers provide transportation services to external customers, while private carriers transport their own goods.
Interstate vs Intrastate Operations
Key Insights
- •Interstate CDL carriers represent 34.2% of all registered motor carriers, subject to federal regulations.
- •Intrastate CDL carriers account for 63.7% of the industry, primarily regulated at the state level.
- •The distinction between interstate and intrastate operations has significant implications for regulatory requirements and insurance obligations.
View TableHide Table
| Operation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate CDL | 653,784 | 34.2% |
| Interstate Non-CDL | 39,568 | 2% |
| Intrastate CDL | 1,217,005 | 63.7% |
Carrier Operation Types
Key Insights
- •For-hire carriers represent 47.89% of the industry, providing transportation services to external customers.
- •Private carriers account for 40.96%, transporting their own goods and products.
- •The for-hire vs private carrier distinction creates different business models and competitive dynamics within the industry.
View TableHide Table
| Carrier Operation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Authorized For Hire | 1,046,176 | 47.89% |
| Private Property | 894,868 | 40.96% |
| Exempt For Hire | 127,307 | 5.82% |
| Other | 95,920 | 4.39% |
| Local Government | 5,280 | 0.24% |
| U.S. Mail | 5,144 | 0.23% |
| State Government | 5,053 | 0.23% |
| Federal Government | 3,440 | 0.15% |
| Indian Tribe | 895 | 0.04% |
| Migrant | 393 | 0.02% |
4. Cargo Specialization
Carriers often specialize in specific types of cargo based on equipment requirements, regulatory considerations, and market demand. Understanding cargo specialization patterns reveals industry segmentation and the diverse service offerings within the trucking sector.
Cargo Type Distribution
Key Insights
- •General freight represents 44.53% of the industry, making it the largest cargo specialization category.
- •Specialized cargo types such as refrigerated goods, hazardous materials, and livestock require specific equipment and regulatory compliance.
- •This specialization creates distinct market segments with varying competitive dynamics and operational requirements.
View TableHide Table
| Cargo Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| General Freight | 851,039 | 44.53% |
| Other | 467,904 | 24.48% |
| Construction | 346,658 | 18.14% |
| Building Materials | 324,068 | 16.95% |
| Large Machinery | 252,145 | 13.19% |
| Grain/Feed | 177,695 | 9.3% |
| Log/Poles | 169,394 | 8.86% |
| Motor Vehicles | 147,263 | 7.7% |
| Farm Supplies | 142,019 | 7.43% |
| Metal Sheet | 102,107 | 5.34% |
| Produce | 87,828 | 4.6% |
| Garbage | 82,080 | 4.29% |
| Dry Bulk | 75,656 | 3.96% |
| Cold Food | 72,484 | 3.79% |
| Paper Products | 67,906 | 3.55% |
| Household Goods | 67,743 | 3.54% |
| Drive Tow | 64,722 | 3.39% |
| Utility | 60,220 | 3.15% |
| Livestock | 57,049 | 2.98% |
| Beverages | 54,868 | 2.87% |
| Intermodal | 39,256 | 2.05% |
| Meat | 38,190 | 2% |
| Liquefied Gas | 37,625 | 1.97% |
| Oilfield | 27,240 | 1.43% |
| Chemicals | 19,848 | 1.04% |
| US Mail | 18,440 | 0.96% |
| Water Well | 12,699 | 0.66% |
| Mobile Home | 11,874 | 0.62% |
| Coal/Coke | 11,020 | 0.58% |
| Passengers | 10,168 | 0.53% |
5. Driver and Workforce Statistics
The trucking industry's workforce structure reflects the fragmented nature of fleet sizes, with most operators employing relatively few drivers. Understanding workforce patterns helps identify industry capacity, employment trends, and operational characteristics.
Distribution of CDL Holders by Company Fleet Size
| Fleet Size Category | Total CDL Holders | Percentage | Avg per Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Truck | 1,258,010 | 20.8% | 1.3 |
| Small Fleet (2-10) | 1,996,296 | 33.0% | 3.4 |
| Medium Fleet (11-50) | 886,423 | 14.6% | 13.2 |
| Large Fleet (50+) | 1,915,836 | 31.6% | 138.8 |
Key Insights
- •33.0% of all CDL holders work for small fleet companies (2-10 trucks), representing the largest share.
- •31.6% of CDL holders work for large fleet operators (50+ trucks), despite these operators representing less than 1% of all carriers.
- •The distribution highlights how CDL holders are concentrated across different company sizes, with small and large fleets employing the majority of drivers.
View TableHide Table
| Fleet Category | Total CDL Holders | Total Operators | Avg CDL Holders per Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Truck | 1,258,010 | 989,902 | 1.27 |
| Small Fleet (2-10) | 1,996,296 | 584,959 | 3.41 |
| Medium Fleet (11-50) | 886,423 | 67,211 | 13.19 |
| Large Fleet (50+) | 1,915,836 | 13,801 | 138.82 |
6. Equipment Ownership vs Leasing
Trucking statistics reveal that equipment acquisition strategies vary significantly across the industry, with operators choosing between ownership and various leasing arrangements based on capital availability, operational flexibility, and financial considerations.
Overall Ownership vs Leasing
Key Insights
- •Approximately 74.6% of all commercial vehicles are owned by carriers, reflecting the industry's preference for ownership.
- •25.4% of vehicles are term-leased, providing flexibility and reduced upfront costs.
- •Ownership provides operational control and potential long-term cost advantages but requires significant capital investment.
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| Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Owned | 11,870,531 | 74.6% |
| Term Leased | 4,039,574 | 25.4% |
Ownership vs Leasing by Fleet Category
Key Insights
- •Single-truck operations own 94.8% of their equipment, showing the highest ownership rate across all fleet sizes.
- •Large fleets (51+ trucks) own only 63.3% of their equipment, increasingly utilizing leasing arrangements.
- •The trend toward leasing in larger fleets reflects capital allocation strategies and operational flexibility needs.
View TableHide Table
| Fleet Category | Owned Units | Leased Units | % Owned | % Leased |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Truck | 691,360 | 38,188 | 94.8% | 5.2% |
| Small Fleet (2-10) | 3,308,291 | 253,144 | 92.9% | 7.1% |
| Medium Fleet (11-50) | 2,107,208 | 409,666 | 83.7% | 16.3% |
| Large Fleet (51+) | 5,763,672 | 3,338,576 | 63.3% | 36.7% |
Data source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Company Census Data. Report generated December 5, 2025. For questions or to request access to the underlying trucking statistics data, please contact our research team.