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Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Oliwier Samorajski Oliwier Samorajski New York, United States Last Updated: October 2024 NAICS 48422

Revenue

$68.3bn

2024

$68.3bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

263k

Businesses

67,331

Wages

$XX.Xbn

Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry analysis

Fluctuations in consumer spending spurred volatility. The industry benefited from strong consumer spending, leading to greater demand for trucking services. At the same time, truckers have had to contend with higher diesel prices. Trucking companies will traditionally pass on higher diesel costs to their customers through fuel surcharges, which has been a primary driver of the industry's growth. Industry profit also hinges on the ability of truckers to pass these costs downstream. Revenue is expected to increase at a CAGR of 3.2% to $68.3 billion through the end of 2024, including growth of 0.6% in 2024 alone. 

Trends and Insights

  • The tightening of monetary policy pressures the consumer and stifles freight demand. Rising borrowing and debt servicing costs dampen consumer sentiment and slow the labor market, reducing freight movements.
  • Bulk liquid and gas transportation have thrived, buoyed by soaring natural gas production. Geopolitical factors and global energy demands have propelled the success of these segments.
  • The Great Lakes region's high concentration of manufacturing industries necessitates numerous trucking establishments. Major transportation hubs and proximity to Canada boost demand for specialized freight services for regional and international trade.
  • Modest barriers to entry keep the industry fragmented. Minimal licensing laws and capital requirements make it easy for individuals to start local companies, which drives market fragmentation and challenges large companies' ability to maintain market share.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $68.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The tightening of monetary policy is pressuring the consumer

  • The rise in borrowing costs made financing new office space and other nonresidential structures more expensive for corporations, reducing output, which moderated revenue in 2023 and 2024 as construction is a major market for local specialized freight truckers.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The growing economy will boost downstream demand

  • Despite current concerns over inflation, elevated interest rates and recessionary fears, the economy is expected to perform well during the outlook period.

Biggest companies in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Hunt J B Transport Services Inc.
1,478.0
110.1
7.5
Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P.
118.0
-2.0
-1.7
Elite Gasfield Services LLC
5.1
0.3
5.4

To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Dry bulk transportation, Bulk liquid and gas transportation and Waste transportation and disposal. Dry bulk transportation is the largest segment of the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US.

Trends and Insights

Other types of transportation are negatively affected by slowing demand

  • Specialized freight truckers transport a diverse range of items, including automobiles, livestock, climate-controlled goods, waste and other packaged products.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Local specialized freight truckers offer specialized road transportation for cargo using trucks and trailers. These companies provide trucking within metropolitan areas that may cross state lines, taking trips that are often same-day returns. Specialized freight transportation is the movement of cargo that requires specialized equipment for transportation because of the shipment’s size, weight and shape.

What's included in this industry?

Dry bulk transportationBulk liquid and gas transportationWaste transportation and disposalLivestock transportationClimate-controlled transportationAutomobile transportationOther transportationOther services

Companies

Hunt J B Transport Services Inc.Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P.Elite Gasfield Services LLC

Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

LESS-THAN-TRUCKLOADTRUCKLOADFUEL SURCHARGEJUST-IN-TIME (JIT)

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 48422 - Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The tightening of monetary policy pressures the consumer and stifles freight demand. Rising borrowing and debt servicing costs dampen consumer sentiment and slow the labor ma...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Bulk liquid and gas transportation have thrived, buoyed by soaring natural gas production. Geopolitical factors and global energy demands have propelled the success of these ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The Great Lakes region's high concentration of manufacturing industries necessitates numerous trucking establishments. Major transportation hubs and proximity to Canada boost...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Modest barriers to entry keep the industry fragmented. Minimal licensing laws and capital requirements make it easy for individuals to start local companies, which drives mar...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

JB Hunt plans to acquire Walmart's intermodal business in February 2024. The acquisition will boost volume and capacity commitments and improve intermodal solutions, aligning...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Hunt J B Transport Services Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Elite Gasfield Services LLC's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Hunt J B Transport Services Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Elite Gasfield Services LLC, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Local specialized freight truckers are regulated in various ways, including fuel emissions laws, food safety rules and driving regulations. They must adhere to vehicle mainte...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Despite high fuel prices, local specialized freight truckers have mostly passed high costs onto consumers through surcharges. Passing costs downstream supported revenue and p...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States is $68.3bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in 2024?

There are 67,331 businesses in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 3.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking market in United States are Hunt J B Transport Services Inc., Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P. and Elite Gasfield Services LLC

What does the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US in United States include?

Dry bulk transportation and Bulk liquid and gas transportation are part of the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Hunt J B Transport Services Inc..

How competitive is the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States.

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Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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