Trucking news and briefs for Monday, March 30, 2026:
Tonnage hits strongest growth rate in almost 4 years
U.S. truck tonnage surged in February to its highest level in three years.
The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 2.6% last month, following a 0.7% increase in January. The index reached a reading of 116.2, up from 113.3 the previous month. Compared with February 2025, tonnage increased 2.1%, marking the strongest year-over-year growth since late 2022.
While the numbers are a positive signal for the economy, ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello noted that the jump may be partially attributed to trucks leaving the highway as opposed to consumer demand.
"February’s robust gain is great to see, but the size of the gain is likely magnified due to lower industry capacity," Costello said. "With that said, particularly after a very prolonged freight recession, improving volumes in any manner is welcomed."
Tonnage is up 1.4% year-to-date compared to the first two months of 2025.
Retail fuel organizations representing 90% of the U.S. market praised the Environmental Protection Agency and the Trump administration for issuing ambitious Renewable Volume Obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Fuel Retailers praise renewable volume obligations, urge Congress to enact biofuel tax incentives
NATSO, SIGMA, and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) issued a joint statement supporting the robust blending mandates as a vital step toward stabilizing energy supplies and incentivizing the production of renewable fuels. The groups noted that strong mandates create a necessary market signal to expand fuel options for American consumers and businesses.
While welcoming the administration's actions, the associations urged Congress to move quickly to reenact the Biodiesel Tax Credit. They argued that pairing the new federal mandates with proven tax incentives is the most effective way to lower retail fuel costs. David Fialkov, executive vice president of government affairs for NATSO and SIGMA, stated that such incentives make diesel and truck-transported goods more affordable by mitigating price pressures caused by geopolitical instability and market volatility.
The retail groups emphasized that biofuels provide a critical alternative to conventional fuels, particularly as uncertainty in the Middle East puts upward pressure on global oil markets. Matt Durand, deputy general counsel for NACS, noted that when the Renewable Fuel Standard works alongside tax credits, it becomes economically feasible for retailers to blend biofuels and pass the savings to end users. Because biodiesel is the primary fuel for the trucking industry, lower costs at the pump directly reduce the freight expenses associated with shipping consumer goods across the country.
