Truck Freight Volume Rises 0.8%

Truck freight volumes increased in September.

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) released its latest Truck Tonnage Index on October 20, 2026.

According to ATA, seasonally adjusted truck freight tonnage increased 0.8% in September after declining 0.2% in August.

The index reached 114, up from 113.1 in August.

However, freight tonnage remained unchanged compared with September 2025.

ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said freight volumes remain weak, but the number of available trucks continues to decline.

This reduction in trucking capacity is helping improve market conditions for carriers despite limited freight growth.

!What This Means for CDL Drivers

The September increase is a positive sign for the trucking industry.

However, freight demand remains relatively weak.

The ATA index mainly tracks contract freight, not spot market rates. Higher freight volumes do not automatically mean better pay or more available loads.