Top 5 Growing Trends in The Future Of Trucking
Published:Aug 13, 2025
5 min. read
What does the future look like in the trucking and freight industry? How can trucking companies prepare for future success? These are important questions that successful trucking and freight companies are asking, and looking at forecasts for the future of the industry can help provide some answers as the industry is expected to see moderate growth in the next few years.
We know and understand that no one can predict the future with 100% certainty, but a closer look at emerging trends in the trucking industry can help companies make more accurate predictions, get ahead of the curve, and better prepare for the road ahead. TenTrucks wants to help your trucking company prepare for the future with a list of Top5 Growing Trends in the Future of Trucking and innovative tech solutions like TenTrucks TMS.
What Are Future Trucking Industry Trends and Forecasts for 2026?
Most successful businesses plan ahead for the future of their business in their respective industries, and while it is not always easy to forecast the future, accurate forecasts can help businesses drive growth and success. Industry trends and forecasts can help trucking and freight companies plan ahead and better understand new technology that will impact how you perform fleet operations, new regulations and trade tariffs that will impact your costs, and new operational strategies that have the potential to drive growth for businesses.
Trucking companies that are searching for answers to the question, what are future trucking industry trends and forecasts for 2026 and beyond, may find the answers they are looking for with this list of growing trucking industry trends created by TenTrucks.
1. Moderate Growth in the Trucking Industry
The forecast for the trucking and freight industry is positive for 2026 and beyond with moderate growth projected that is expected to be driven by multiple factors. Data provided by the American Trucking Association (ATA) indicates that the trucking industry moves an estimated 72.5% of cargo by weight in the United States and that is expected to continue with industry revenue expected to reach $1.46 Trillion by 2035. Key factors expected to drive growth in the industry include a continued reliance on trucking, increased shipping demand in pharmaceutical and healthcare supply chains, and an increased need for short-haul and last-mile carriers for e-commerce businesses.
2. Development and Integration of Electric and Autonomous Trucks
Technology is always a driving force in the modern economy, and a key topic of interest in the trucking and freight industry is the development and investment in electric and autonomous trucks. Electric trucks have become increasingly more popular for freight companies in urban areas and companies that primarily focus on short hauls, and autonomous vehicles continue to develop and have become more common in long-haul trucking. A drive towards a more efficient trucking industry and stricter environmental regulations are the force behind this development, as large commercial trucks represent 26% of the highway fuel consumption in the United States. The electric truck industry is expected to grow and see a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 36.4% from 2023-2030.
3. Increased Development of Freight Platforms with AI Capabilities
Advanced technology has the potential to make fleet operations more efficient, more effective, and more profitable in the trucking industry. Transportation Management Systems (TMS) continue to grow, develop, and evolve, implementing more advanced technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging trend. Artificial Intelligence entities integrated with a TMS platform have the ability to automatically optimize load assignments, make dispatching more efficient, enhance real-time tracking with ELD technology, and provide predictive analytics. Workflow automation is another benefit of advanced freight platforms that can automate documents, reducing the time and effort fleets need to spend on paperwork and reducing potential errors.
4. Increased Focus on Driver Retention
A key challenge in the trucking industry has been and continues to be a shortage of qualified drivers, making it even more critical that trucking companies invest in driver retention. Data provided by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) points to a shortage of 82,000 drivers in 2025 with the driver shortage expected to reach 174,000 by 2026. This is due in large part to an aging workforce and long hours away from home. Technology is being used to improve the driver experience with innovative solutions like the TenTrucks Mobile App, improve safety by tracking Hours of Service, and improve the work-life balance by simplifying operations.
5. Decrease in Class 8 Truck Sales
Higher prices for brand-new equipment, that are due in part to trade tariffs, have impacted the trucking industry and led to a decrease in Class 8 truck sales with tractor and trailer costs increasing by an estimated 2% – 4%. With increased equipment costs, many trucking and freight companies are turning to replacement-only strategies that make extending the life of fleet trucks the priority with predictive maintenance and replacement parts, rather than buying new trucks for the fleet. A quality Transportation Management System can provide predictive maintenance reminders for your fleet that enhance replacement-only strategies.
READ MORE: How Much Does a TMS Cost?
Do you have questions about the future of the trucking industry? This list of Top 5 Growing Trends in the Future of Trucking may be able to help you better prepare your trucking and freight company for the road ahead and drive success.
Contact the TenTrucks Team today for more information on our TMS platform and dispatching services!