Road Freight Transport Global Market Report 2026

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.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are impacting the road freight transport market by increasing costs of imported trucks, spare parts, tires, and fuel-related components. Transport operators in North America and Europe are most affected due to dependence on imported commercial vehicles, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on fleet expansion. These tariffs are contributing to higher freight rates and operating expenses. However, they are also encouraging fleet modernization, localized vehicle sourcing, and efficiency improvements in route planning and asset utilization.

The road freight transport market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company 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 size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $110.14 billion in 2025 to $117.97 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of domestic trade networks, growth of manufacturing output, increasing reliance on road-based logistics, development of highway infrastructure, rising demand for full truckload services.

The road freight transport market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $157.62 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in smart transportation systems, rising adoption of electric commercial vehicles, expansion of cross-border road freight corridors, growing demand for real-time freight visibility, increasing focus on emission reduction in transport. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of fleet telematics and tracking systems, rising demand for door-to-door freight services, growing use of fuel-efficient commercial vehicles, expansion of temperature-controlled road transport, enhanced focus on delivery reliability.

The expansion of the oil and gas industry is expected to propel the growth of the road freight transport market going forward. The oil and gas industry comprises global companies and activities involved in the exploration, extraction, production, refining, and distribution of petroleum and natural gas. This industry is expanding due to rising global energy demand, as increasing energy consumption worldwide continues to require reliable and scalable fuel sources to support economic activity and infrastructure development. Road freight transport plays a critical role in the oil and gas sector by offering flexibility and accessibility, enabling timely delivery of equipment and materials, supporting exploration and drilling activities, accommodating diverse cargo types, and adapting quickly to changing operational requirements. For instance, in April 2025, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), a US-based government energy data agency, U.S. crude oil production increased by 270,000 barrels per day in 2024 to average 13.2 million barrels per day, representing a 2% increase compared with 2023. Therefore, the ongoing expansion of the oil and gas industry is driving the growth of the road freight transport market.

Major companies operating in the road freight transport market are focusing on advanced automation technologies, such as automated freight movement systems, to enhance intralogistics efficiency, speed of handling, and supply chain visibility. Automated freight movement systems are technology- and software-driven solutions designed to streamline loading, unloading, and real-time tracking of goods across warehouses, docks, and transportation networks, thereby optimizing freight flow and reducing handling time. For instance, in March 2023, ArcBest Corporation, a US-based holding company specializing in truckload and less-than-truckload freight services, launched Vaux, a next-generation freight movement technology. Vaux combines advanced hardware and software to modernize intralogistics operations, enabling an entire trailer to be unloaded in less than five minutes while providing end-to-end visibility of freight movement within warehouse facilities, at loading docks, and during road transport. This solution delivers significant efficiency gains and seamless coordination across supply chain operations.

In June 2023, Scan Global Logistics, a Denmark-based logistics company providing freight forwarding and transportation services, acquired Sand Road Freight A/S for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition forms part of Scan Global Logistics' growth strategy aimed at strengthening its road transport operations and expanding its capabilities in Denmark. Through this acquisition, the company seeks to offer customers a more comprehensive logistics portfolio that integrates road transport with its global air, ocean, and rail freight services. Sand Road Freight A/S is a Denmark-based transport and freight forwarding company specializing in road freight solutions.

Major companies operating in the road freight transport market are 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 2025.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, South East Asia, 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, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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.

Road Freight Transport Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses road freight transport market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

Reasons to Purchase

• Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 16 geographies.
• Assess the impact of key macro factors such as geopolitical conflicts, trade policies and tariffs, inflation and interest rate fluctuations, and evolving regulatory landscapes.
• Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.
• Identify growth segments for investment.
• Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.
• Understand customers based on end user analysis.
• Benchmark performance against key competitors based on market share, innovation, and brand strength.
• Evaluate the total addressable market (TAM) and market attractiveness scoring to measure market potential.
• Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high-quality data and analysis
• Report will be updated with the latest data and delivered to you within 2-3 working days of order along with an Excel data sheet for easy data extraction and analysis.
• All data from the report will also be delivered in an excel dashboard format.

Where is the largest and fastest growing market for road freight transport ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The road freight transport market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type Of Carrier: Full Truckload; Less-Than-Truckload
• 2) By Vehicle Type: Light Commercial Vehicle; Medium Commercial Vehicle; Heavy Commercial Vehicle
• 3) By Operation: Domestic; International
• 4) By End-User: Agriculture, Fishing And Forestry; Construction; Manufacturing; Oil And Gas, Mining And Quarrying; Wholesale And Retail Trade; Other End-Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Full Truckload (FTL): Standard Full Truckload (FTL); Temperature-Controlled Full Truckload (FTL); Flatbed Full Truckload (FTL); Dedicated Full Truckload (FTL)
• 2) By Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): Standard Less-Than-Truckload (LTL); Expedited Less-Than-Truckload (LTL); Scheduled Less-Than-Truckload (LTL); Guaranteed Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)
• Companies Mentioned: 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
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: Word, PDF or Interactive Report
• + Excel Dashboard
• Added Benefits
• Bi-Annual Data Update
• Customisation
• Expert Consultant Support

Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.