Bob Costello News Updates

American Trucking Associations Chief Economist Bob Costello noted that the freight market is more uneven than the macroeconomic view suggests.

The freight market gained some momentum in September, as shrinking capacity helped offset flat demand and pressure from fuel costs.

The trucking industry’s ongoing recovery from a prolonged freight recession appears to have staying power despite a mounting list of economic headwinds.

The ATA study drew on data from more than 130 fleets representing more than 140,000 employee drivers and 9,000 independent contractors.

The ATA For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 0.5% from July to 112.7, down from 113.3. The index also declined 1.6% year over year.

American Trucking Associations' For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index also showed that tonnage was up 1.4% during the first seven months of the year compared with 2025.

The ATA For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 0.1% from the prior month to 113.1. But the latest result also marked a decline of 0.1% from last year.

ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello joins Seth Clevenger for an in-depth discussion of current freight market conditions and the broader economic outlook.

American Trucking Associations Chief Economist Bob Costello warned that trucking faces headwinds even as supply contractions drove first-quarter gains.

Freight tonnage remained constrained with a slight sequential improvement in December, failing to overcome its generally lower levels, American Trucking Associations reported Jan. 20.