Data-driven analysis of the $940.8 billion trucking industry. Real statistics, real sources, real insights for drivers, fleets, and shippers.
The FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse has flagged over 200,000 CDL holders with violations since 2020. Here is what carriers, drivers, and the industry need to know about tightened enforcement in 2026.
TRU LOAD Editorial
March 20, 2026
Truck drivers lose an average of $10,000 per year to unpaid detention. ATRI data shows the industry-wide cost at $1.3 billion annually. Here is what is broken and how technology is changing the equation.
TRU LOAD Editorial
March 15, 2026
The ATA estimates the US is short 78,000 truck drivers as of 2024. With an aging workforce, 89% turnover at large carriers, and growing freight demand, the gap is only widening.
TRU LOAD Editorial
March 10, 2026
ATRI data shows the average all-in operating cost of a truck at $2.27 per mile. Here is where every penny goes — fuel, insurance, maintenance, equipment, driver pay, and overhead.
TRU LOAD Editorial
March 5, 2026
The US trucking industry generates $940.8 billion in revenue. Traditional load boards and brokers take 15-25% of every load rate. AI-powered load matching is changing the economics of freight.
TRU LOAD Editorial
February 28, 2026
Owner-operators can gross $250,000-$350,000 per year. But after fuel, insurance, maintenance, and taxes, what is left? A comprehensive guide to turning gross revenue into real profit.
TRU LOAD Editorial
February 20, 2026
15-25% of all miles driven by trucks are empty — no freight, no revenue. Here is how deadhead miles cost the industry billions annually and what AI is doing about it.
TRU LOAD Editorial
February 15, 2026
Large truckload carriers lose 89% of their drivers every year. At $12,000 per replacement, that is millions wasted. Here is what actually drives turnover and what technology can do about it.
TRU LOAD Editorial
February 10, 2026
The ELD mandate has required 100% compliance since 2019. In 2026, FMCSA enforcement is tightening. Here is your guide to staying compliant, avoiding violations, and managing Hours of Service effectively.
TRU LOAD Editorial
February 5, 2026
Women make up only 12.1% of truck drivers in the US. In an industry short 78,000 drivers with an aging workforce, expanding this talent pool is both an equity imperative and a business necessity.
TRU LOAD Editorial
January 28, 2026
Freight brokers capture 15-25% of every load rate. In a $940.8 billion industry, that represents a massive cost center. Here is the breakdown of the brokerage model and how direct marketplaces are changing the equation.
TRU LOAD Editorial
January 20, 2026
IFTA quarterly filing is required for all interstate carriers. Here is a step-by-step guide to understanding your obligations, avoiding common mistakes, and leveraging technology to make IFTA effortless.
TRU LOAD Editorial
January 15, 2026
$1.3B
Unpaid detention annually
(ATRI)
500K+
Registered motor carriers
(FMCSA)
$2.27/mi
Average operating cost
(ATRI)
5,700
Fatal crashes per year
(NHTSA)
Every article is backed by real data from ATA, ATRI, BLS, FMCSA, and NHTSA.
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