Freight Facts and Figures 2008

Tables 3-3 and 3-3M. Trucks and Truck Miles by Average Weight: 1987-2002¹

The nation’s truck fleet has grown significantly in number and distance driven. Of trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds registered to businesses, individuals, and organizations other than government, most growth has occurred at either end of the weight spectrum. Distance traveled has more than doubled in 15 years for trucks weighing between 10,000 pounds and 26,000 pounds and for trucks weighing over 80,000 pounds. Trucks between 60,000 pounds and 80,000 pounds form the largest category in both number of trucks and vehicle miles traveled because in most cases 80,000 pounds is the maximum weight allowed on the highway system without special permits.

Table 3-3 (standard units)

Table in Excel format

Average weight (pounds)	1987 Number (thousands)	1987 VMT (millions)	1992 Number (thousands)	1992 VMT (millions)	1997 Number (thousands)	1997 VMT (millions)	2002 Number (thousands)	2002 VMT (millions)	Percent change, 1987-2002 Number	Percent change, 1987-2002 VMT
Total	3,624	89,972	4,008	104,987	4,701	147,876	5,415	145,624	49	62
Light-heavy	1,030	10,768	1,259	14,012	1,436	19,815	1,914	26,256	86	144
10,001 to 14,000	525	5,440	694	8,000	819	11,502	1,142	15,186	118	179
14,001 to 16,000	242	2,738	282	2,977	316	3,951	396	5,908	64	116
16,001 to 19,500	263	2,590	282	3,035	301	4,362	376	5,161	43	99
Medium-heavy	766	7,581	732	8,143	729	10,129	910	11,766	19	55
19,501 to 26,000	766	7,581	732	8,143	729	10,129	910	11,766	19	55
Heavy-heavy	1,829	71,623	2,017	82,832	2,536	117,931	2,591	107,602	42	50
26,001 to 33,000	377	5,411	387	5,694	428	7,093	437	5,845	16	8
33,001 to 40,000	209	4,113	233	5,285	257	6,594	229	3,770	10	-8
40,001 to 50,000	292	7,625	339	9,622	400	13,078	318	6,698	9	-12
50,001 to 60,000	188	7,157	227	8,699	311	12,653	327	8,950	74	25
60,001 to 80,000	723	45,439	781	51,044	1,070	74,724	1,179	77,489	63	71
80,001 to 100,000	28	1,254	33	1,529	46	2,427	69	2,950	144	135
100,001 to 130,000	8	440	12	734	18	1,051	26	1,571	238	257
130,001 or more	4	185	5	227	6	312	6	329	43	78

Key: VMT = vehicle miles traveled.

¹Excludes trucks with an average weight of 10,000 pounds or less.

Notes:

Weight includes the empty weight of the vehicle plus the average weight of the load carried. Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding.

Sources:

2002 and 1997: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, 2002 Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey: United States (Washington, DC: 2004), available at www.census.gov/svsd/www/vius/products.html as of April 24, 2008.

1992 and 1987: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, 1992 Truck Inventory and Use Survey: United States (Washington, DC: 1995), available at www.census.gov/svsd/www/vius/products.html as of April 24, 2008.

Table 3-3M (metric units)

Table in Excel format

Average weight (kilograms)	1987 Number (thousands)	1987 VKT (millions)	1992 Number (thousands)	1992 VKT (millions)	1997 Number (thousands)	1997 VKT (millions)	2002 Number (thousands)	2002 VKT (millions)	Percent change, 1987-2002 Number	Percent change, 1987-2002 VKT
Total	3,624	144,796	4,008	168,960	4,701	237,983	5,415	234,359	49	62
Light-heavy	1,030	17,329	1,259	22,551	1,436	31,890	1,914	42,254	86	144
4,536 to 6,350	525	8,754	694	12,875	819	18,510	1,142	24,440	118	179
6,351 to 7,257	242	4,407	282	4,791	316	6,359	396	9,508	64	116
7,258 to 8,845	263	4,168	282	4,885	301	7,021	376	8,306	43	99
Medium-heavy	766	12,200	732	13,104	729	16,302	910	18,935	19	55
8,846 to 11,793	766	12,200	732	13,104	729	16,302	910	18,935	19	55
Heavy-heavy	1,829	115,266	2,017	133,305	2,536	189,791	2,591	173,169	42	50
11,794 to 14,969	377	8,708	387	9,163	428	11,414	437	9,407	16	8
14,969 to 18,144	209	6,619	233	8,505	257	10,612	229	6,067	10	-8
18,144 to 22,680	292	12,271	339	15,485	400	21,047	318	10,779	9	-12
22,680 to 27,216	188	11,518	227	13,999	311	20,362	327	14,404	74	25
27,216 to 36,287	723	73,127	781	82,147	1,070	120,256	1,179	124,707	63	71
36,288 to 45,359	28	2,018	33	2,460	46	3,906	69	4,747	144	135
45,360 to 58,967	8	708	12	1,181	18	1,691	26	2,528	238	257
58,967 or more	4	298	5	365	6	502	6	530	43	78

Key: VKT = vehicle kilometers traveled.