149 Freight Industry Statistics: The Ultimate Data Collection (2025)

Looking for comprehensive freight industry data? This fact sheet provides 149 freight statistics covering everything from market size and financial performance to technology trends and future predictions. Whether you're a freight broker, carrier, shipper, or industry analyst, these data points provide valuable insights into the state of the freight and logistics sector in 2025. For a more detailed examination of these trends and their implications, check out our comprehensive 2025 Freight Industry Analysis.

Freight Brokerage Market Size Statistics

1. The U.S. freight brokerage market reached an estimated $159 billion in gross revenues in 2022, reflecting a 14.4% annual growth from 2021's ~$139 billion.
2. Net revenues for U.S. freight brokers were about $26.4 billion in 2022, up 33.8% year-over-year.
3. 2021 was a record-breaking year – U.S. 3PL gross revenues (which include freight brokers) soared 48.1% year-over-year.
4. The overall U.S. third-party logistics (3PL) market hit $405.5 billion in gross revenues in 2022, up 18.3% from 2021.
5. Freight brokers now handle over 20% of U.S. truckload freight, a dramatic rise from about 6% in the year 2000.
6. The global freight brokerage market was valued around $48.1 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $90.7 billion by 2031, growing at ~6.3% CAGR.
7. There were ~27,206 active brokerages in May 2024, down ~10.8% from 30,406 a year prior.
8. Uber Freight acquired Transplace for $2.25 billion in 2021, demonstrating confidence in market growth.
9. Broker-arranged truck freight grew from 6% to ~20% of total truckload spend from 2000 to 2023.
10. U.S. freight brokerage gross revenues roughly doubled from ~$80 billion in 2010 to $159 billion in 2022, with especially sharp growth in 2017-2018 and 2021-2022.
11. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the U.S. freight brokerage segment was ~8-10% in recent years (pre-2023), with one analysis projecting the U.S. freight brokerage market to grow at 8.35% CAGR through 2025.
12. The COVID-19 pandemic initially dipped freight volumes in early 2020, with April 2020 volumes falling ~10% YoY. This was the sharpest drop since the 2009 recession, highlighting the pandemic's immediate impact.
13. Even in slower economic years, the brokered freight market continued growing. For instance, 2019 saw a slight contraction in 3PL revenues (-0.3% gross), but broker market share still crept up.
14. 88% of the industry's gross revenue is handled by the top 3.5% of brokers.
15. Some analysts project the global freight brokerage market could surpass $100 billion by the early 2030s.

Freight Broker Profit Margins & Financial Performance

16. Gross margins in freight brokerage average around 15% of the freight bill.
17. When trucking capacity is abundant, brokers often expand their margins – they can secure lower carrier rates while shippers' rates take longer to decline.
18. In Q4 2022, broker gross margins ticked up to 13.8% on average (van), slightly improving as spot rates stabilized.
19. Dry van loads tend to have the lowest broker margins – around 13% gross margin in recent weak markets – while flatbed loads often see the highest margins, upwards of 15%+.
20. Well-run brokerages might convert 5% or less of gross revenue into net profit.
21. C.H. Robinson's free cash flow averages ~3% of gross revenues (about 20% of its net revenues).
22. C.H. Robinson Worldwide led the pack in 2022 with $15.8 billion in gross brokerage revenue, followed by Total Quality Logistics (TQL) with ~$8.7 billion gross.
23. Coyote Logistics (UPS) reported ~$5.2 billion and Worldwide Express ~$4.0 billion in gross brokerage revenue in 2022.
24. In Q1 2023, many brokers saw revenues and margins dive – one segment of mid-sized brokers had gross margin % drop from 16.4% to 14.8%, with total revenues down ~18% year-over-year.
25. Many brokers operate with an operating ratio around 85–95% of net revenue, meaning for every $1 of net revenue, $0.85-$0.95 goes to operating costs.
26. Large brokers like C.H. Robinson historically generate ~30% operating margins on net revenue, which is strong relative to the broader industry.
27. C.H. Robinson's operating income was $1.06 billion on $2.25 billion gross profit (net revenue) in 2022.

Carrier and Capacity Statistics

28. There are over 531,000 active trucking fleets in the U.S. as of 2023 (up from 18,000 in 1980).
29. 95%+ of carriers operate 10 or fewer trucks.
30. The MAP-21 Act effective October 1, 2013 raised the broker bond requirement from $10,000 to $75,000. This caused a major industry shakeout.
31. Nearly 8,000 broker authorities were revoked or went inactive after the bond increase to $75K in 2013. This highlights the financial strain the increased bond placed on smaller brokerages.
32. In a recent owner-operator survey, only 30% of respondents had direct shipper contracts; the majority secured freight through brokers or intermediaries.
33. Roughly 92% of large shippers (e.g., retailers) utilize 3PL services like brokers, showing how common this partnership is.
34. Over 1,500+ brokers closed shop in 2023 amid the freight recession.
35. Broker authority applications require a $300 fee to FMCSA.
36. All freight brokers must carry a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund as financial security.

Freight Volume and Rate Statistics

37. During the pandemic recovery, spot truckload rates surged to record highs in 2021 – dry van spot rates that had averaged around $1.50–$1.80 per mile in 2019 jumped to well over $2.50-$3.00 per mile by late 2021 (including fuel).
38. In December 2021, van linehaul (ex-fuel) rates averaged about $2.60/mi.
39. By December 2022, the national average spot van rate had declined to $2.41/mi (including fuel).
40. In December 2022, contract van rates averaged ~$2.96/mi (shipper to broker) while spot van was $2.41/mi – a large gap.
41. By mid-2023, dry van spot rates fell to around $2.00/mi or below including fuel in some months, the lowest since 2020.
42. U.S. diesel hit a record $5.81/gal in June 2022, significantly impacting freight rates.
43. In December 2022, the van load-to-truck ratio rose from 2.7 to 3.4 due to holiday demand.
44. For vans, a load-to-truck ratio above 3 (3 loads per truck) tends to push rates up; below 2 tends to push rates down, according to industry standards.
45. Cass reported 2021 saw freight expenditures up ~38% and shipments up ~16% (implying higher rates) vs. 2020.

Freight Technology and Digital Transformation Statistics

46. 84% of 3PLs (including brokers) say AI/ML is impactful on their operations – the top-rated technology.
47. Convoy (a digital broker) announced reaching 95% automated load-to-truck matching nationwide – in top markets they hit 100% automatic matching with no human intervention.
48. Some large 3PLs now cover 25–40% of loads digitally without a rep.
49. Around 35% of digital freight brokers offer a mobile app for booking and tracking.
50. 44% of 3PLs see autonomous vehicles as an impactful future technology.
51. 40% of 3PLs find Internet of Things (IoT) tech impactful.
52. Around 28% of 3PLs consider blockchain technology impactful.
53. C.H. Robinson invested over $1 billion in its Navisphere platform, using data science to optimize routes and pricing.
54. Convoy was valued at $3.8 billion in its last funding round before the company's difficulties in 2023.

Industry Challenges and Trends Statistics

55. 66% of 3PLs say keeping up with technology is a top challenge.
56. 59% of 3PLs struggle with finding, training, and retaining qualified staff.
57. Compliance and regulatory burdens are noted by ~32% of 3PLs as a challenge.
58. 38% of 3PLs cite corporate social responsibility and sustainability as a challenge.
59. About 46% of shippers/3PLs are forming 4PL/LLP partnerships to manage challenges.
60. Roughly 53% of shippers/3PLs are using nearshoring strategies to manage challenges.
61. Entering 2023, the freight market softened ("freight recession"), causing broker volumes to dip and freight broker count to contract after years of expansion.
62. Broker negotiations with carriers may include quick-pay programs (paying carriers in <7 days for a fee) to reduce carrier rates slightly.
63. FMCSA and industry groups are seeking to crack down on double-brokering scams, which can leave carriers unpaid and shippers unaware of who has their freight.
64. New legislation has been proposed to explicitly empower FMCSA to levy fines (up to $10,000 per violation) for unauthorized brokerage and double-brokering.

Economic Impact and Supply Chain Disruption Statistics

65. April 2020 freight volumes plunged ~10% year-over-year, the sharpest drop since 2009.
66. Freight is often a leading indicator of the economy. A sharp drop in freight (like late 2022) often precedes a recession.
67. During the pandemic recovery, stimulus money and shifts to e-commerce led to record import volumes and restocking.
68. After the initial COVID shock, retailers over-ordered, creating a glut of inventory by 2022.
69. The 2008–2009 recession saw freight volumes drop sharply and many small carriers went out of business.
70. In mid-2021 through early 2022, many lanes saw spot rates at all-time highs.
71. After COVID-19, many companies are re-evaluating their supply chains, with approximately 53% of shippers pursuing nearshoring strategies.
72. The Suez Canal blockage in March 2021 delayed shipments to the US, which later arrived in a surge, compounding port congestion.
73. The US-China tariffs in 2018 led some shippers to import early (to beat tariff deadlines), causing short-term volume jumps.

Regulatory and Legal Statistics

74. Broker authority licensing requires an application (OP-1 or URS online) and a $300 fee to FMCSA.
75. The broker authority application process typically takes ~4-6 weeks for approval.
76. According to FMCSA regulations (49 CFR §371.3), brokers must maintain records of each transaction for at least 3 years.
77. Under 49 CFR §371.3, carriers or shippers can request to see the broker's invoices and payout related to a load they were involved in.
78. The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) has argued that disclosing margins doesn't benefit carriers and could violate confidentiality.
79. In June 2023, FMCSA issued guidance clarifying the definition of a "broker" and when dispatch services must register as brokers.
80. Operating without broker authority or violating FMCSA broker regs can result in fines of up to $10,000 per offense.
81. While brokerage is federally regulated (preempting state laws), some states have additional rules like business licenses or taxes.
82. The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) fee for brokers is typically ~$59 annually.

Market Share and Distribution Statistics

83. North America dominates in freight brokerage activity, but brokerage is expanding globally due to rising international trade and e-commerce.
84. The top 3 brokers account for only a fraction of total market volume (e.g., top broker CHR's ~$15.8B is about 10% of the $159B U.S. brokerage gross market).
85. The market share of digital freight platforms continues to grow, with companies like Uber Freight capturing significant portions of the market.

Broker-Carrier-Shipper Relationship Statistics

86. It's now common for multiple freight brokerages to hold primary positions in shippers' routing guides, sometimes even ranked above asset carriers.
87. Many broker-shipper contracts include service level agreements (SLAs) like on-time pickup percentage, tender acceptance rate, and electronic tracking compliance.

Future Trends and Predictions

88. The global freight brokerage market is projected to reach $90.7 billion by 2031, growing at ~6.3% CAGR.
89. Some analysts project the global freight brokerage market could surpass $100 billion by the early 2030s.
90. 84% of 3PLs (including brokers) say AI/ML is impactful on their operations – the top-rated technology.
91. 44% of 3PLs see autonomous vehicles as an impactful future technology.
92. 40% of 3PLs find Internet of Things (IoT) tech impactful.
93. Around 28% of 3PLs consider blockchain technology impactful.
94. About 53% of shippers/3PLs are using nearshoring strategies to manage challenges.
95. Around 35% of digital freight brokers offer a mobile app for booking and tracking.
96. Industry analysts forecast a market inflection in 2024 where spot rates begin rising again toward contract rates.
97. We might see a future where more than 50% of loads are booked automatically without human broker intervention.

Freight Recession and Market Cycle Statistics

98. Entering 2023, the freight market softened ("freight recession"), causing broker volumes to dip.
99. By mid-2023, dry van spot rates fell to around $2.00/mi or below including fuel in some months, the lowest since 2020.
100. In Q1 2023, many brokers saw revenues and margins dive – one segment of mid-sized brokers had gross margin % drop from 16.4% to 14.8%, with total revenues down ~18% year-over-year.
101. The 2022 downturn meant spot rates declined steadily throughout 2022, essentially "giving back" the pandemic gains.
102. Convoy, once valued at $3.8 billion, faced a partial shutdown in 2023.

Digital Transformation Statistics

103. Convoy (a digital broker) announced reaching 95% automated load-to-truck matching nationwide – in top markets they hit 100% automatic matching with no human intervention.
104. Some large 3PLs now cover 25–40% of loads digitally without a rep.
105. Digital freight platforms that can compare and offer multiple modes for a shipment are in development.
106. FMCSA noted that brokerage has "changed immeasurably" due to tech – moving from call boards to internet-based platforms.
107. Platforms like DAT and Truckstop.com are the 800-pound gorillas of load boards, used by virtually every broker to post loads and find trucks. These platforms are used by virtually every broker to post loads and find trucks.

Carrier Statistical Breakdown

108. After the ELD mandate in 2017, the industry effectively experienced reduced carrier productivity initially, causing a capacity crunch in 2018.
109. In down cycles, many truckers exit. This happened through 2019 and again in 2023 – evidenced by thousands of carrier authorities revoked.
110. Driver shortages have been a recurring issue, with the ATA often citing a shortage of 60k+ drivers in recent years.
111. Post-pandemic, there's a push for nearshoring (e.g., more factories in Mexico or Canada).
112. Environmental regs like California's emissions rules can push older trucks out, shifting capacity regionally.

Freight Broker Operational Costs

113. Surety bond premiums can range from ~$1,000 up to $9,000+ per year depending on credit.
114. The BOC-3 filing (Designation of Process Agents) is another required step, listing a process agent in each state.
115. The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) fee for brokers is typically ~$59 annually.
116. Many brokers also face costs related to insurance premiums, which have risen due to more nuclear verdicts in accidents.

Challenges Facing Freight Brokers

117. Rising operational costs are cited by 62% of 3PLs as a concern.
118. High turnover is common in broker sales roles, contributing to the 59% who struggle with staffing issues.
119. There are tens of thousands of brokers, plus asset carriers and digital upstarts, all competing for freight, creating intense competition.
120. Low barriers to entry (anyone with $300 and a bond can become a broker) mean new competitors arise constantly.
121. Credit risk for shippers is a significant concern - brokers might not get paid for loads already delivered, especially during economic downturns.
122. The freight business is highly cyclical, with boom-and-bust cycles in trucking demand that brokers must navigate.

Freight Rate Fluctuation Statistics

123. Reefers averaged $2.82 and flatbeds $2.77 in the spot market in December 2022.
124. In 2022, many shippers locked in contract rates at the peak; by 2023, they went to bid and saw double-digit percentage rate reductions.
125. Over decades, trucking rates tend to roughly follow inflation plus fuel costs, but with significant cyclical variations.

Supply Chain Disruption Impact

126. The latter half of 2020 into 2021 saw a freight boom due to stimulus money and shifts to e-commerce.
127. The Russia-Ukraine war (2022) spiked fuel prices, with diesel hitting a record $5.81/gal in June 2022.
128. The pandemic introduced unique issues: factory shutdowns overseas leading to parts shortages and surge in consumer goods as services shut down.
129. E-commerce growth and faster fulfillment expectations (2-day, next-day shipping) disrupted traditional distribution networks.
130. Vaccine mandates for cross-border drivers temporarily disrupted Canada-USA trucking in early 2022.

Impact of Government Regulations

131. California's AB5 law (on independent contractors) has caused confusion about dispatch services.
132. Under 49 CFR §371.3, carriers or shippers can request to see the broker's invoices and payout related to a load they were involved in.
133. In June 2023, FMCSA issued guidance clarifying the definition of a "broker" and when dispatch services must register as brokers.
134. Operating without broker authority or violating FMCSA broker regs can result in fines of up to $10,000 per offense.

Historical Growth of Freight Brokerage

135. In comparison, in the early 2000s brokers were often used only as a "last resort," but today they're frequently an integral part of shippers' logistics strategy.

Broker Technology Usage

136. Many brokers have migrated to cloud TMS platforms for easier integration with partners and scalability.

Broker Demographics and Structure

137. Average revenue per broker varies enormously. Large brokers like C.H. Robinson move tens of billions in freight, whereas a median small brokerage might do only a few million dollars in sales or less.
138. Many brokers are evolving into 4PL (fourth-party logistics) or LLP (lead logistics provider) roles.
139. Approximately 15-20% of brokers also maintain freight forwarder authority, allowing them to issue their own bills of lading and take responsibility for cargo.

Freight Broker vs Asset-Based Carrier Statistics

140. The majority of owner-operators and small fleets find loads via brokers or load boards, with only 30% having direct shipper contracts.

Freight Broker Service Types and Specialization

141. Emerging brokerage models are mode-agnostic, expanding in intermodal (rail) brokerage, LTL brokerage, and even air and ocean forwarding integration.
142. The brokerage model is extending into last-mile delivery, with digital brokerage platforms for final-mile (using gig economy drivers or local carriers) emerging.
143. Some brokers now provide shippers with emissions reports per load, which could become a standard value-add.
144. Some brokers now offer dedicated lanes to carriers, providing them with steady freight and potentially better rates.
145. Many brokers offer quick-pay programs (paying carriers in <7 days for a fee) to reduce carrier rates slightly but improve cash flow for carriers.
146. Brokers sometimes offer drop trailer programs by coordinating multiple small carriers to provide asset-like services to shippers.

Global Freight Brokerage Statistics

147. Asia-Pacific and Europe are seeing increased use of freight brokers, especially as digital platforms make brokerage more accessible internationally.
148. With better technology, brokers in one country can arrange freight in another more easily, leading to the globalization of brokerage.
149. If a U.S. broker arranges cross-border freight (to/from Canada or Mexico), they must ensure carriers meet border requirements, navigating multiple regulatory environments.

Conclusion

The freight industry continues to evolve rapidly, with brokers playing an increasingly central role in the transportation ecosystem. These 149 statistics demonstrate the significant growth of freight brokerage, the ongoing digital transformation, and the complex challenges facing the industry. From market size expansion to technological adoption, profit margin pressures to regulatory changes, these data points provide a comprehensive view of the freight landscape in 2025.

For shippers, carriers, and logistics professionals, understanding these trends is crucial for strategic planning and operational success. As the industry continues to consolidate while simultaneously becoming more technologically sophisticated, staying informed about these key metrics will help stakeholders navigate the ever-changing freight marketplace.