The trucking industry has faced economic challenges, known as the Great Freight Recession, for almost four years, as firms battle reduced shipping demand, lower freight rates, and rising costs of labor, fuel, and insurance driven by inflation.
Long-haul truckload demand plummeted by 25% in the first half of 2025, with trucking becoming more of a short-haul delivery method for the final leg of freight movement, according to the Long Outbound Tender Volume Index, FreightWaves reported.
Freight companies filed 21 bankruptcy petitions in the third quarter of 2025 compared to 20 filed in the second quarter, Equipment Finance News reported. Fourth-quarter statistics were not available at last check.
Expert predicts recovery soon
Some industry executives predict trucking sector conditions will improve in 2026…