Road Freight Transport Market Report 2025

The road freight transport market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $104.08 billion in 2024 to $110.75 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to economic growth, infrastructure development, regulatory environment, globalization, fuel prices, consumer behavior.

The road freight transport market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $146.97 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to sustainability initiatives, infrastructure investments, urbanization trends, supply chain resilience, regulatory changes. Major trends in the forecast period include digitalization and automation, green initiatives and sustainability, e-commerce boom, resilience and supply chain visibility, collaborative logistics.

The growth of the road freight transport market is anticipated to be fueled by the rise in cross-border trade. This trade involves selling products from one country to buyers in another, facilitated through B2C transactions that encompass the import, export, or transit of goods as allowed by licensing conditions. Road transport plays a vital role in cross-border trade by facilitating the movement of goods, enhancing connectivity, and fostering economic development. For example, in August 2023, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a government agency in the U.S., reported that international trade in the U.S. reached $6.5 trillion in 2022, with Canada and Mexico contributing 24%, or $1.57 trillion, through 654 million tons of freight. Consequently, the growth in cross-border trade is propelling the expansion of the road freight transport market.

The expanding oil and gas industry is poised to contribute significantly to the growth of the road freight transport market. The oil and gas industry encompasses a global network of entities involved in the exploration, extraction, production, refining, and distribution of petroleum and natural gas. Road freight transport within this industry offers benefits such as flexibility, accessibility, timely deliveries, support for exploration and drilling activities, versatility in handling various cargo types, and adaptability to changing requirements. As an illustration, data from the US Energy Information Administration in October 2023 indicates a projected increase in U.S. crude oil output to 12.4 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2023, up from the record-high of 11.7 million b/d in 2022. Additionally, in September 2022, the U.S. witnessed the highest annual consumption of natural gas at an average of 86.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), showcasing the dynamic nature of the industry. Consequently, the expanding scope of the oil and gas sector is a key driver behind the growth of the road freight transport market.

Technological advancements stand out as a key trend gaining traction in the road freight transport market, with major players focusing on innovation to maintain and enhance their market positions. A notable example is ArcBest Corporation, a US-based holding company in the freight industry, which introduced the Vaux in March 2023. This revolutionary freight movement technology transforms intralogistics procedures, boosting efficiency and advancing supply chains. Vaux combines cutting-edge technology and software to modernize the loading, unloading, and movement of goods. With Vaux, the unloading of a trailer's full contents can be accomplished in less than five minutes, providing comprehensive visibility into the movement of goods within warehouse facilities, on the dock, and on the road. This results in extreme efficiencies and seamless orchestration of warehouse operations.

Collaboration and partnerships represent another prominent strategy adopted by major companies in the road freight transport sector to deliver reliable services to customers. An example is the partnership formed in March 2023 between CEVA Logistics, Engie SA, and SANEF in France. This collaboration aims to decarbonize long-distance road freight transport across Europe through the European Clean Transport Network (ECTN) Alliance. The ECTN concept involves strategically located truck terminals along major European motorways, offering low-carbon energy solutions for long-distance freight transport.

In June 2023, Scan Global Logistics, a Denmark-based logistics company, demonstrated a growth-oriented strategy by acquiring Sand Road Freight A/S for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is geared towards strengthening SGL's road transport operations and competencies in Denmark. It enables SGL to offer customers a more comprehensive portfolio of global air, ocean, and rail freight products. Sand Road Freight A/S is a Denmark-based transport and freight forwarding company. Overall, these technological advancements and strategic collaborations contribute to the dynamic landscape of the road freight transport market.

Major companies operating in the road freight transport market include Cargo Carriers Ltd., CEVA Logistics AG, CJ Logistics Corp., Deutsche Bahn AG, FedEx Corp., Fercam Spa, Ital Logistics Ltd., J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., Kerry Logistics Network Ltd., KLG Europe, Kuehne and Nagel International AG, Nippon Express Holdings Inc, United Parcel Service Inc., Yellow Corporation, First European Logistics Ltd., Alkom-Trans SIA, DHL Supply Chain, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., XPO Logistics Inc., Schneider National Inc., Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., Knight-Swift Transportation, Landstar System Inc., Werner Enterprises Inc., Saia Inc., Estes Express Lines, ArcBest Corporation, Ryder System Inc., Southeastern Freight Lines, ABF Freight System Inc., Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc., Averitt Express Inc., Dayton Freight Lines Inc., Holland Inc., Pitt Ohio Express, R+L Carriers, Crete Carrier Corporation, CRST International Inc., Heartland Express Inc., Bison Transport Inc., Wilson Logistics Limited.

North America was the largest region in the road freight transport market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global road freight transport market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the road freight transport market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the road freight transport market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Road freight transport involves the transportation of goods by motor vehicles on a network of roads from one point (the place of loading) to another (the place of unloading). This method of shipping is characterized by the movement of commodities via roads, irrespective of the registration location of the vehicle. Road freight transport is widely employed to provide door-to-door services for various freight deliveries.

Two main types of carriers are commonly used in road freight transport full truckload and less-than-truckload. These carriers utilize a range of vehicles, including light commercial vehicles, medium commercial vehicles, and heavy commercial vehicles. In the case of a full truckload, a single truck is responsible for transporting an entire shipment from one location to another. These services operate both domestically and internationally, catering to diverse end-users such as those in agriculture, fishing and forestry, construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, mining and quarrying, wholesale and retail trade, among others. This mode of transport ensures efficient and comprehensive delivery solutions for a variety of goods.

The road freight transport market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides road freight transport market statistics, including road freight transport industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a road freight transport market share, detailed road freight transport market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the road freight transport industry. This road freight transport market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The road freight transport market includes revenues earned by entities by providing curtain sided transportation, flatbed transportation, temperature-controlled transportation, and more. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.