Truckload Average Length of Haul Hits New Lows

FreightWaves’ latest Chart of the Week shows that the national average length of haul fell to historic lows this year, bottoming out at 522 miles in August before recovering to around 571 miles. The August trough marked a 13% year-over-year decline, the steepest drop since the data set began in 2018.

According to FreightWaves' SONAR’s tender data, the decline stems from a sharp reduction in long-haul freight demand, with loads over 800 miles deteriorating the most. The “tweener” segment of 450–800 miles followed closely, while sub-100-mile short-haul loads are the only category showing consistent year-over-year growth.

Shippers Shift Strategies

Longer hauls are losing share to intermodal, where rail can be 15–30% cheaper than trucking for non-urgent moves. Every major port has nearby rail access, giving shippers an alternative for inland freight.

Geopolitical uncertainty and tariff risks have also led shippers to front-load inventory into warehouses earlier in the year. While this drives up warehousing costs, FreightWaves' Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) shows companies prefer the expense to risking shortages or unexpected duties, such as the now-paused 145% tariff on Chinese imports.

This strategy spreads transportation needs over time, softening demand for urgent long-haul trucking and reshaping the balance between truck and rail.

Shorter Hauls and the EV Connection

Our earlier reporting on Tesla and Uber Freight’s Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program offers an added lens into this trend. The initiative pairs Tesla Semi purchase subsidies with pre-arranged freight and route planning.

Tesla and Uber Freight Partner to Drive Electric Truck Adoption

Tesla and Uber Freight launch a new program pairing subsidies and dedicated freight for the Tesla Semi, aiming to cut costs and accelerate electric truck adoption ahead of 2026 production.

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With the average haul now trending closer to 500 miles, shorter-distance trucking networks could make electric adoption more viable. Current EV semis face challenges with ranges over 300 miles, but as hauls shorten and routes become more predictable, programs like Uber Freight’s create a clearer path for EV integration.

Uber Freight CEO Rebecca Tinucci, formerly head of Tesla’s charging division, noted this about the role of route planning and charging infrastructure: “Customers can see every document, every check, every step in the same system,” she said, describing how end-to-end visibility and dedicated freight can ensure utilization from day one.

Why It Matters for Brokers

The shift toward shorter hauls means brokers face a dual adjustment:

• Capacity pressure points. An 800-mile load ties up two full days of capacity, compared with only a quarter of a day for a sub-100-mile move. Any rebound in long-haul demand, even temporary, could push spot rates higher.
• Modal competition. Rail remains cheaper for many lanes, pushing more transcontinental freight off the highway.
• EV viability. Shorter hauls also lower barriers for electric Class 8 adoption, which could become another competitive factor in brokerage strategy.

Source: FreightWaves