U.S. Freight and Logistics Market Size & Share Analysis - Trends, Drivers, Competitive Landscape, and Forecasts (2025 - 2032)
This Report Provides In-Depth Analysis of the U.S. Freight and Logistics Market Report Prepared by P&S Intelligence, Segmented by Mode of Transport (Road, Rail, Air, Maritime, Pipeline), Service Type (Freight Transportation, Warehousing & Distribution, Value-Added Services, Supply Chain Management & 3PL), Technology Adoption (AI & Predictive Analytics in Logistics, IoT & Telematics in Fleet Management, Blockchain in Supply Chain Transparency, Autonomous & Electric Vehicles in Freight, Digital Freight Matching & Automation), Logistics Function (Courier, Express, and Parcel, Freight Forwarding, Warehousing and Storage), End User (E-commerce & Retail, Manufacturing & Industrial Goods, Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverage, Energy & Chemicals), and Geographical Outlook for the Period of 2019 to 2032
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U.S. Freight and Logistics Market Overview
The U.S. freight and logistics market size was USD 1405.5 billion in 2024, and it will grow by 4.2% during 2025–2032, reaching USD 1930.7 billion by 2032.
The demand for freight and logistics services is driven by the growth in e-commerce, globalization and expansion of supply chains. The rise in cross-border trade further drives the demand for these services and for them to be operationally efficient and scalable.
The freight transportation services index (TSI) of the Bureau of Road Transportation Statistics reported a 1.1% increase in August 2024 compared to July 2024, becoming the first rise since May and placing the index 3.4% above the April 2024 level. The BTS further predicts freight activity to expand by 50% from 2020 to 2050, doubling to 28.7 billion tons of goods, with an equivalent USD 36.2 trillion value increase.
Businesses are now adopting inventory management systems to offer their customers faster logistics solutions. There is also a strong push for sustainability, with logistics companies investing in eco-friendly vehicles and carbon reduction techniques. Furthermore, this market will grow with the rise of transparent shipping solutions, which enable cargo location and health tracking via IoT sensors and smart containers.
U.S. Freight and Logistics Market Dynamics
Digitization and Automation of Logistics Is a Trend
Automation and digitization are major trends in the logistics industry because of the growing need for a higher efficiency in deliveries and the real time visibility of cargo.
Companies are adopting technologies such as IoT, AI, and digital freight platforms to optimize routes.
They can also predict delays and watch the cargo load and their stops on the way.
Automation in warehouses increases order processing through robotics and smart systems for picking and packing, ensuring faster delivery.
As more people shop online, using this technology will help companies deliver the exact orders and initiate a smooth process, thus saving on extra costs.
E-Commerce Expansion and Last-Mile Delivery Demand Are Growth Drivers
As more people are shopping online and e-commerce activity is increasing, a lot more packages are sent to people’s homes each day than before.
The last part of the logistical process, the delivery from the warehouse to the the customer’s door, is becoming challenging as people want their packages to come quickly, on time, and intact.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, total e-commerce sales in 2024 reached approximately USD 1.19 trillion, accounting for 16.1% of total retail sales, which is a notable increase from 15.3% in 2023. ​
This growth in online shopping drives the demand for efficient logistics and last-mile delivery services.
Due to this need, companies are hiring vans and bikes to make deliveries faster, eve providing delivery on the same or next day.
Delivery apps, route planners, and package tracking solutions are widely used to make the process easier and more convenient for the shipper as well as the customer.
U.S. Freight and Logistics Market Segmentation Analysis
Mode of Transport Analysis
The road category held the largest market share, of 50%, in 2024. The freeway carriage sector transports 65% of the entire freight tonnage. Roads are the key to meeting customer demands directly where other modes of transparency cannot always go. Stretching for over 6.6 million kilometers (4.1 million miles), they cover almost every part of the U.S., including suburban and rural areas. Moreover, it is a cost-effective option and supported by strong infrastructure.
The maritime category will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is because of the growth in global trade, which is driving the volume of containers transported from the east and west coasts. Moreover, it is the most economical way to transport heavy volumes of goods across long distances, such as oil, steel, electronic parts, and bulky machines.
The modes of transport analyzed here are:
Road (Largest Category)
Rail
Air
Maritime (Fastest-Growing Category)
Pipeline
Service Type Analysis
The freight transportation category held the largest market share, of 45%, in 2024. Every industry, be it retail or manufacturing, relies on freight, as it involves the actual movement of goods across sea, air, and, and rail. It is the backbone of logistics and witnesses high demand from all sectors due to population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and overall economic expansion around the world.
The supply chain management & 3PL category will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is because of the rising need for outsourcing to third-party providers to save time, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. 3PL companies offer the expertise, scalability, and technology that are essential for modern commerce and help in getting shippers better tracking and returns on orders.
The IoT & telematics in fleet management category held the largest market share, of 35%, in 2024. This Is due to its wide usage to track vehicle location, monitor fuel, and analyze engine performance. These considerations are now standard in fleet management as they help in providing immediate cost savings and efficiency improvements. Moreover, real-time visibility into the cargo’s location and condition is an important part of meeting customer expectations and managing large fleets efficiently.
The autonomous & electric vehicles in freight category will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the push of the government for better road safety and emission reduction via incentives, regulations, and the setup of charging infrastructure. These vehicles help tackle driver shortages and in reduce long-term labor costs. Big OEMs, such as Tesla, Aurora, and Waymo, are investing in autonomous trucks, while logistics firms are adopting electric delivery vans and long-haul trucks.
The technology adoption analyzed here are:
AI & Predictive Analytics in Logistics
IoT & Telematics in Fleet Management (Largest Category)
Blockchain in Supply Chain Transparency
Autonomous & Electric Vehicles in Freight (Fastest-Growing Category)
Digital Freight Matching & Automation
Logistics Function Analysis
The courier, express, and parcel category held the largest market share in 2024, due to the rising demand for fast and reliable parcel services. Millions of packages are shipped every day across the country, making it a revenue-rich service. The increase in online shopping during the pandemic led to the shipping of over 161 billion parcels worldwide in 2022. Companies, such as FedEx, UPS, and Amazon, have vast domestic and global delivery networks that handle shipments effectively and keep the customer experience satisfactory.
The warehousing and storage category will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the growth in the need for warehousing space due to the expansion of business. Sectors such as food & beverage and pharmaceuticals need cold-storage solutions, such as temperature-controlled warehouses and reefer containers, to keep items fresh for longer. These requirements are driving investments in smarter ways to enable long-term storage, such as IoT sensors and cargo health trackers.
The logistics functions analyzed here are:
Courier, Express, and Parcel (Largest Category)
Domestic
International
Freight Forwarding
Air
Sea and inland waterways
Others
Warehousing and Storage (Fastest-Growing Category)
Non-temperature-controlled
Temperature controlled
Others
End User Analysis
The e-commerce & retail category held the largest market share, of 30%, in 2024. This is because of the high volume of online shipments, which require faster transportation and ample warehousing space. Inventory must be stored and moved quickly between distribution centers, stores, and homes. In 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that e-commerce sales totaled USD 1.1 trillion, expanding by 8.1% from the previous year.
The pharmaceuticals category will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is because of the rise in the incidence of chronic and acute conditions, which creates a huge demand for medical supplies, such as drugs, blood & tissue products, and procedural chemicals. These often require temperature-controlled environments and an increasing number of warehouses to store them for longer.
The end users analyzed here are:
E-commerce & Retail (Largest Category)
Manufacturing & Industrial Goods
Pharmaceuticals (Fastest-Growing Category)
Food & Beverage
Energy & Chemicals
Others
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U.S. Freight and Logistics Market Regional Outlook
The northeast region held the largest market share, of 30, in 2024, owing to its well-established industrial base. The densely populated cities, such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, create a strong demand for courier and last-mile logistics services due to their high consumer activity. The region is home to financial institutions, headquarters of major firms, and vast commercial zones, which leads to the movement of retail, healthcare, and all other kinds of goods in massive volumes. The residents also have a high preference for online shopping activity, further boosting the demand for delivery services.
The market in the southern region will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is because of the expanding industrial activity in Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee, thus creating a rising requirement for freight and logistics services. Shippers in major regional cities, such as Atlanta and Dallas, are receiving more orders, which is further boosting this region's market. Moreover, the lower operating costs and tax benefits are attracting new retailers to set up distribution hubs in this region, thus accelerating freight activities further.
The regions analyzed in this report are:
Northeast (Largest Region)
Midwest
West
South (Fastest-Growing Region)
U.S. Freight and Logistics Market Share
The U.S. freight and logistics market is fragmented as many companies provide transportation services by trucks, planes, and ships and also via the 3PL model. Several major shippers are focused on express freight delivery and air cargo transportation in response to the quick-growing e-commerce market. Logistics companies serve different sectors, each having specific requirements. This enables the entry of new companies specializing in different services and modes of transportation. Many logistics providers focus on specific geographical locations, which leads to different companies leading different markets as well. Another, perhaps the biggest reason for the market fragmentation, is that most companies that offer road, rail, or even air cargo services within the country do not operate international maritime services.
U.S. Freight and Logistics Companies:
United Parcel Service Inc
Ryder System Inc.
FedEx Corporation
A.P. Moller - Maersk
Americold Realty Trust Inc
C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc
CMA CGM Group
DB Schenker
DHL Group
Kuehne + Nagel International AG
GEODIS Logistics LLC
DSV A/S
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