How Will the Trucking and Freight Industry Change in 2026?

When you are on the road and behind the wheel, it is important to know what lies ahead — and the same can be said for trucking and freight companies in a competitive industry. The more a company can look ahead and anticipate how the industry and the economy will change, the better they can prepare, future-proof their operations, and ensure long-term success. Freight carriers may want to know — how will the trucking and freight industry change in 2026? TenTrucks may be able to help answer your questions.

5 Ways the Trucking and Freight Industry Will Change in 2026

A look ahead at the future trends in the trucking and freight industry can help companies understand the steps they need to take to succeed and plan ahead. When a company understands how the industry is changing, it can invest in innovative new technology to help power growth, adapt operations to fit growing industry trends, and invest in their workforce.

Here is a better look at a few ways that the trucking and freight industry is expected to change in 2026 and beyond. 

1. Increase in Regional Trucking

The trucking and freight industry is expected to see moderate growth in 2026 based on data provided by the American Trucking Association that shows industry revenue expected to reach $1.46 trillion by 2035. That growth in the industry is expected to be powered by regional and short-haul trucking that promotes more reliable shipping and more efficient delivery for customers. Last-mile delivery is expected to be another key factor for freight companies in 2026.

2. Investment in Technology to Improve Efficiency

Technology — like a Transportation Management System (TMS) and AI-powered solutions — have the potential to make trucking and freight operations more efficient and are expected to be an emphasis in the future. The industry is expected to see an increased investment in advanced route planning software, real-time tracking, Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), and other innovative solutions that are dedicated to promoting efficiency. With these innovative tools, freight companies can expect to see improved delivery metrics and reduced downtime.

3. Investment in AI and Automation 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a headline in the trucking and freight industry for years and the industry is expected to see increased investment in and adoption of AI-powered solutions. AI solutions that promote automation of key freight documents and route optimization promise to be the linchpin for many freight companies in the future. With AI solutions becoming more prevalent and more readily available, the future will see an increase in AI-powered automation in the next few years.

4. Fluctuating Shipping Contract Rates

A key question that trucking and freight companies continue to ask is — will contract rates improve in 2026? With moderate industry growth expected in the next year, freight companies can expect to see a small increase in shipping contract rates — but that increase is expected to fluctuate. Freight companies can expect contract rates to fluctuate in select markets, which means that freight companies need to take advantage of innovative solutions to improve operational planning.

5. Increase in Unified Digital Platforms 

The trucking and freight industry has gone digital in many aspects — and with many different digital platforms, it can lead to complications down the road. With that in mind, the industry is expected to move towards unified digital platforms that promote more efficient end-to-end operations and seamless communication. These unified platforms will make sharing key operational data simpler, improve load matching, and make it easier to track key performance metrics. 

READ MORE: What Are the Challenges Facing the Trucking Industry in 2026?

Are you looking ahead to the future of your freight company? You may be asking — how will the trucking and freight industry change in 2026? We hope that this short overview has answered some of your questions and provided you with a little insight into how you can future-proof your business. 

Contact TenTrucks today for a demo of our TenTrucks TMS platform and 24/7 dispatching services!