Trucking statistics in Maine and beyond

United States (ATA)

ATA American Trucking Trends 2019

  • Trucks moved 11.49 billion tons of freight, 71.4% of all domestic freight tonnage;
  • The industry generated $796.7 billion in annual revenue in 2018, 80.3% of the nation’s freight bill;
  • The industry moved 84% of all trade between the U.S. and Mexico, and 67% of Canada-U.S. trade;
  • Roughly 7.7 million people were employed in jobs related to trucking activity, including 3.5 million drivers;
  • Of those 3.5 million drivers, there were 1.8 million heavy and tractor-trailer drivers. Minorities account for 40.4% of all drivers and 6.6% of truck drivers are women.

ATRI FAST FACTS for MAINE

EMPLOYMENT/WAGES/NEED

  • 33,690 Trucking industry jobs in Maine (2019) – one out of every 16 in the state.
  • 5,300 Trucking companies located in Maine (2020).
  • 84.4% of Maine communities depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods.
  • 98.7% of total manufactured tonnage is transported by trucks in ME. That’s 52,650 tons per day. (2017)
  • Total trucking industry wages paid in Maine in 2019 exceeded $1.6 billion, with an average annual trucking industry salary of $47,292.
    • Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers held 9,290 jobs with an average annual salary of $41,870 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018).

TAXES

  • Maine trucking industry pays approximately $163 million in federal and state roadway taxes (2019).
    • The industry paid 33% of all taxes owed by Maine motorists …
    • Despite trucks representing only 10% of vehicle miles traveled in the state.
  • As of January 2021, a typical five-axle tractor-semitrailer combination paid:
    • $8,906 federal highway user fees and taxes + $9,101 state highway user fees and taxes
    • These taxes were over and above the typical taxes paid by businesses in Maine.

ROADWAY USE

  • There are 22,819 miles of public roads in Maine (2019).
    • 1.5 billion miles driven by trucks on public roads
    • 14.9 billion miles driven by all motorists on public roads

ENVIRONMENT

Improved Emissions: Through advancements in engine technology and fuel refinements:

  • New diesel truck engines produce 98% fewer particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions than a similar engine manufactured prior to 1990.
  • Sulfur emissions from diesel engines have also been reduced by 97% since 1999.
  • 43% of U.S. commercial trucks are now powered by the newest-generation, near-zero emissions diesel technology.
  • Medium- and heavy-duty trucks contribute just 23% of all transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S. and represent only 6% of total U.S. GHG emissions.

Fuel Consumption Improvements: The trucking industry continues to improve energy and environmental efficiency even while increasing the number of miles driven. In 2018:

  • Combination trucks accounted for just 16% of the total highway transportation fuel consumed.
  • Combination trucks consumed 100 billion fewer gallons of fuel than passenger vehicles in the U.S.