ATA's advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 0.5% in August to 112.7 and was 1.6% below August 2025, while year-to-date tonnage remained 1% higher.
ATA reported a second monthly decline
The American Trucking Associations said on September 22 that its advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 0.5 percent in August 2026. July's change was revised to a 1.2 percent decline, so the August result extends the recent month-to-month weakness rather than reversing it.
The seasonally adjusted index was 112.7
ATA reported an August index level of 112.7, using 2015 as the base year of 100. The revised July level was 113.3. An index level is a relative measure designed to track change over time; it is not the number of tons hauled, a freight rate or carrier revenue.
Tonnage was 1.6 percent below a year earlier
Compared with August 2025, the seasonally adjusted index was down 1.6 percent. ATA said that was a larger year-over-year decline than July's 0.7 percent decrease. The August result marked the third decline from year-earlier levels in the most recent four months covered by the release.
The index was down in four of five months
ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said truck tonnage fell in four of the previous five months and stood 4.3 percent below its recent March peak. ATA's interpretation was that reduced capacity, rather than strong freight demand, explained why parts of the market could feel better even as tonnage remained soft.
Year-to-date tonnage was still up 1 percent
For January through August, ATA reported tonnage one percent above the same period in 2025. The positive year-to-date comparison reflected stronger year-over-year gains from February through April. A positive cumulative figure therefore does not contradict the more recent monthly and annual declines.
The unadjusted index also declined
ATA's not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the raw month-to-month change in freight hauled before seasonal adjustment, was 116.1 in August. That was 0.6 percent below July's 116.7. Month-to-month comparisons are usually clearer with the seasonally adjusted series because shipping patterns vary by season and calendar.
Contract freight dominates the ATA measure
ATA states that both its seasonally adjusted and not seasonally adjusted indexes are dominated by contract freight rather than traditional spot-market freight. A carrier concentrated in spot van, reefer, flatbed or a specialized niche may experience conditions that differ from the aggregate index.
The index is not a driver-pay forecast
A decrease in tonnage does not translate directly into a specific cents-per-mile rate, weekly paycheck or hiring decision. Driver compensation also depends on paid miles, accessorial pay, route, utilization, freight mix, equipment, safety record and carrier policy. Job seekers should compare written compensation details instead of treating one national index as a wage offer.
Carriers should compare volume with rates and utilization
For-hire fleets can use the index as one market signal alongside loaded and empty miles, revenue per tractor, contract renewal results, tender rejection, spot rates, fuel cost, seated trucks and customer concentration. A national 0.5 percent decline does not establish why a specific terminal or lane gained or lost volume.
Owner-operators should protect the break-even calculation
Softer freight volume can increase unpaid repositioning, waiting or competition for loads even when a posted rate looks acceptable. Evaluate revenue against all miles, fuel, maintenance, insurance, truck payments, taxes and owner compensation. A broad tonnage index cannot determine whether one load covers a particular truck's operating cost.
The release does not prove a recession or recovery
One monthly index can be revised and does not independently establish the direction of the whole economy. ATA's data describe for-hire truck tonnage, not every private fleet, parcel movement, revenue measure or freight mode. A sound reading considers several months and compares other official labor, price and freight indicators.
Primary-source note
This report is based on ATA's September 22, 2026 release of its advanced For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index. CDL Truck Pro has preserved the reported 0.5 percent monthly decline, 112.7 index level, 1.6 percent year-over-year decline, one percent year-to-date increase and 116.1 unadjusted reading without converting them into unsupported rate, employment or revenue claims.
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Official sources
American Trucking Associations: August 2026 Truck Tonnage IndexBureau of Transportation Statistics: Latest Supply Chain and Freight IndicatorsCDL Truck Pro provides educational information. Confirm licensing, safety, tax, and regulatory requirements through current official sources and qualified professionals.