October Truck Tonnage Index Rises 0.3%, ATA Says

verall for-hire trucking freight volumes rose 0.3% in October from a month earlier, American Trucking Associations said Tuesday.

The seasonally adjusted rise to a 114.2 index level from 113.9 in September was the second straight increase — September’s rate also rose 0.3%, which was revised downward from 0.4% — following three consecutive declines, ATA said.

The October index level was 1.2% higher than a year earlier, the best year-over-year increase since May, the group said.

The two monthly gains were the first consecutive increases since October and November 2004, said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello.

“I am very pleased with the increases in September and October, and I believe the gains are reflective of a solid, steady economy,” Costello said.

ATA’s economics department calculates the monthly tonnage index based on surveys of its members.