Congressional Committee Endorses Allocation of $200 Million for Truck Parking Facilities
In the heart of 2025, the U.S. trucking industry is grappling with a softening market, as emerging trade tariffs and shifting shipping trends take their toll. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), U.S. trucking volumes slightly decreased in May, reflecting the negative effects of ongoing trade tariffs and trade wars [2].
The first half of 2025 has shown little improvement over the previous year, with contract rates for dry van truckload shipments nearly unchanged year-over-year, and spot rates slightly below last year’s levels. A significant shift from long-haul truckload shipping to more intermodal transport, which is cheaper and has expanded capacity since 2020, has caused a 25% year-over-year decline in long-haul truckload demand [3].
Driver wages, which experienced rapid growth in 2021 and 2022, are now decelerating. After a 7.6% increase in 2023 and a 2.4% rise in 2024, wage growth for drivers is expected to slow further in 2025. Through the first two months of 2025, wages increased only 0.9% [4].
In a bid to alleviate longstanding truck parking shortages, federal efforts are underway to expand parking infrastructure. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy recently unveiled a pro-trucker package, which includes more than $275 million in grants nationwide to expand truck parking [1]. Florida, for instance, is receiving $180 million to add 917 new truck parking spaces along the I-4 corridor.
The industry is also feeling the disruptive effects of the ongoing trade war, contributing to uncertainty and lower freight volumes as shippers adjust supply chains and sourcing [2][3]. Container volumes are expected to undergo a sharp reversal due to tariffs, although the specific containers are not specified.
Meanwhile, separate developments are unfolding in Delaware. The state is set to increase tolls on August 15, and CDL fees are scheduled to rise in October. The exact toll increase on August 15 and the specific CDL fee increase in October have yet to be disclosed.
In a separate development, Ohio has opened 40 new truck parking spots at rest areas, providing much-needed relief for long-haul drivers. The exact locations of these rest areas were not specified. On a different note, FedEx Freight has delayed the enforcement of NMFC updates for 150 days.
Amidst these challenges, companies like Paccar are feeling the pinch. The weak truckload market has caused Paccar's Q2 profit to slump. The industry will need to navigate these complexities to maintain its vital role in the U.S. economy.
[1] https://www.transportation.gov/press-releases/us-dot-announces-275-million-in-grants-to-expand-truck-parking-across-america [2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-18/u-s-trucking-tonnage-falls-as-tariffs-hit-freight-demand [3] https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trucking-market-stalls-in-2025-first-half-shows-little-improvement-over-2024 [4] https://www.truckinginfo.com/341236/driver-wage-growth-decelerates-again-in-2025-first-quarter
In the context of the U.S. trucking industry's struggle with a softening market in 2025, financial entities may have to reconsider their investment strategies due to decreasing trucking volumes and slumping contract rates. Meanwhile, the ongoing trade war and its impacts on shipping trends could have significant consequences for various sectors, including transportation and business.
