June Truck Tonnage Data Shows Little Change

June Truck Tonnage Holds Steady After Steep Drop in May

Truck tonnage was nearly unchanged in June after a much steeper decline in May, according to the latest data from the American Trucking Associations.

The ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 0.1% in June. However, the small gain did little to offset the 3.2% decline recorded in May.

The index stood at 113.1 in June, with 2015 serving as the base year of 100. Compared with June 2025, truck tonnage was down 0.1%.

The latest figures suggest that freight activity may have stabilized after a weak spring. Still, the data does not point to a strong freight recovery.

Truck Tonnage Weakens During Second Quarter

The larger story is the decline that took place during the second quarter.

ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said truck tonnage contracted by a combined 4.1% during April and May. June brought only a slight increase after those losses.

“While tonnage was little changed during June, there was a definite weakening in volumes during the second quarter as the index contracted a total of 4.1% during April and May,” Costello said.

The May result was also revised lower. ATA had previously reported a smaller decline, but the updated data now shows that truck tonnage fell 3.2% during the month.

That revision indicates that the freight slowdown was more severe than first reported.

After five consecutive months of year-over-year gains, truck tonnage has now fallen below the previous year’s level for two straight months. June was down 0.1% from a year earlier, while May was down 0.7%.

First-Half Truck Tonnage Growth Came From a Strong Start

Truck tonnage was still up 1.4% during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.

However, ATA said that gain was supported by stronger freight activity during the first quarter. Conditions weakened during the spring and remained soft entering the second half of the year.

The split between the first and second quarters is important. A positive six-month comparison can make the market appear stronger than current freight conditions suggest.

In 2025, the truck tonnage index was flat compared with the 2024 average. The latest data shows that the trucking market has not moved into a clear period of sustained growth.

At the same time, the figures do not prove that the freight market is entering a major collapse. June’s small gain suggests volumes may have stopped falling, at least for now.

What the Truck Tonnage Index Measures

The ATA truck tonnage index mainly reflects for-hire contract freight. It is not designed to measure every part of the trucking market.

Contract freight is generally moved under agreements between motor carriers and shippers. That differs from spot freight, where individual loads are offered at current market rates.

Because the index is dominated by contract freight, its results may not match what some owner-operators or small carriers see on load boards.

The truck tonnage index also measures freight by weight. It does not directly measure the number of loads, miles driven, carrier profits, freight rates, or driver pay.

As a result, a small increase in truck tonnage does not necessarily mean that drivers hauled more loads or earned more money during June.

ATA calculates the index using surveys from its membership. The June figure is preliminary and may be revised when the final report is released.

Soft Freight Could Affect Driver Miles

For company truck drivers, weaker contract freight may lead to uneven load availability.

Drivers who are paid by the mile could see changes in weekly income if freight remains soft. A carrier may keep the same pay rate while offering fewer miles, shorter runs, or more time between dispatches.

The report does not show that all drivers are losing miles. Conditions can differ based on the carrier, customer contracts, freight type, region, and equipment.

Drivers working on strong dedicated accounts may see little change. Others who depend on general contract freight could experience more variation in available work.

The June truck tonnage increase may offer some relief because volumes did not continue falling at the same pace as they did in May. However, a 0.1% gain is too small to confirm a broad improvement in driver workload.

Owner-Operators Face a Mixed Freight Outlook

The report also presents a mixed picture for owner-operators and small trucking businesses.

Lower freight volume can mean fewer loads and more competition for available shipments. That can make it harder to maintain consistent truck use.

However, Costello said trucking capacity has also declined during the past year. Fewer available trucks could help balance the market, even if freight demand remains weak.

“The U.S. economy remains on solid footing overall, the freight economy isn’t as strong,” Costello said. “With that said, the decrease in capacity over the last year probably has fleets feeling a little better than volumes would suggest.”

This means some carriers may feel more stable even without strong truck tonnage growth. If fewer trucks are competing for the same shipments, the carriers that remain may have better equipment use or stronger negotiating positions.

Still, the truck tonnage index does not report spot rates. It also does not show whether owner-operator revenue or profit improved during June.

Fleets May Remain Cautious About Growth

Motor carriers may view the June data as a reason to remain cautious.

The truck tonnage index does not support a major fleet expansion. Freight volumes weakened during the second quarter, and annual comparisons have turned negative.

Fleets may continue to control capacity, limit equipment purchases, and focus on profitable freight rather than adding trucks quickly.

Hiring could also remain selective. Carriers may continue replacing drivers who leave without increasing their total driver count.

That environment could affect CDL applicants and drivers looking for new jobs. Opportunities may still be available, but hiring demand could vary widely between carriers and freight segments.

Truck Tonnage Has Not Reached a Clear Turning Point

The June truck tonnage report does not show a full freight recovery. It also does not confirm a major new downturn.

Instead, the data points to a market that has stabilized at a weaker level after a sharp second-quarter decline.

Truck tonnage increased only 0.1% in June while remaining slightly below the same month last year. The first half of 2026 was still positive, but that result depended on stronger activity earlier in the year.

For commercial truck drivers, the main issue will be whether freight volumes begin growing again or remain soft during the coming months.

Reduced trucking capacity may help some carriers and owner-operators, but weak demand could continue to limit miles, load availability, hiring, and fleet growth.