Small December Rise in Truck Tonnage Reflects Inventory Moves, Port Patterns and Weather Disruption

This piece reveals how U.S. truck freight activity finished the year: a modest December uptick against a backdrop of slow demand, inventory flows and port-level swings.

Snapshot: What the December Numbers Tell Us

December saw a small improvement in hauling volumes, but don’t let the uptick fool you—freight markets are still treading water. The ATA For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 0.4% month-over-month to 112.9 and was 0,9% higher than a year earlier. On an unadjusted basis the index was up 4.3% sequentially to 111.9. For the full year, tonnage finished about 0.1% above the 2024 average—the first annual gain since 2022, but a very slim one.

Key metrics at a glance

Why the rebound was so tepid

Several forces combined to keep tonnage muted. Soft manufacturing and construction activity cut into demand for goods movements. Many firms continued to push inventory downstream toward consumers, which produced a short-term wave of “final mile” movement but also a broader exhaustion of freight volumes. Add a few big winter storms and you’ve got capacity disruptions and pent-up demand in the spot market.

Drivers and drag factors

• Inventory adjustments: Warehouses moved stock to consumers, reducing warehouse backlogs but shifting the timing of shipments.
• Port frontloading: Tariff-related frontloading earlier in the year increased container throughput, then caused a late-year hangover.
• Weather: Winter storms in the Midwest slowed highway networks and dampened flows.
• Consumer spending trends: Soft spending, especially among younger and middle-income households, limited upside for freight demand.

Ports, tariffs and the ripple effect

Ports felt the tug of policy and buying patterns. The Port of Long Beach recorded a record 9.9 million containers in 2025 after shipments were pulled forward in anticipation of tariff changes. That frontloading created a noticeable “hangover” where arrivals and related truck and rail activity tapered off toward year-end. As one economist put it, if cargo doesn’t land at the port, it never makes it onto trucks or into warehouses—simple as that.

The tariff angle

Threats of tariffs—particularly on China and parts of Asia—can prompt shippers to bring cargo forward, concentrating volumes into earlier months and leaving quieter periods later. Political developments and regional instability (including concerns in the Middle East) could either spur renewed frontloading or add unpredictability to global supply chains.

Practical logistics consequences

For carriers and logistics planners, the mix of inventory destocking, frontloading and weather means capacity and pricing will gyrate. When transportation capacity slipped into contraction, transportation prices ticked up—good news for carriers and a reminder that market conditions can flip quickly.

Spot market quirks and the role of weather

The Cass Freight Index showed shipments down sharply year-over-year, and winter storms amplified short-term disruption. Those storms created a backlog that showed up in spot markets into January, suggesting a temporary bounce could occur as weather clears and pent-up freight moves through the system.

What shippers and carriers should watch

• Inventory-to-sales ratios—big shifts here change demand patterns.
• Tariff announcements and trade policy—frontloading risk is real.
• Seasonal and weather forecasts—storms can re-route flows and spike spot rates.
• Capacity readings in the LMI—when capacity tightens, expect price pressure.

Implications for logistics planning

Nothing in the December readings suggests a freight boom is around the corner, but the data does underline the importance of flexibility. Firms that can shift modes, re-time deliveries, or leverage diversified carrier networks will be better positioned to handle blips. In plain English: plan for wobble, not for a straight line.

Practical tips for supply chain managers

1. Monitor port schedules and expected arrivals—frontloaded cargo can skew capacity.
2. Build contingency plans for weather-driven delays.
3. Keep a close eye on inventory levels to avoid sudden destocking shocks.
4. Consider mixed sourcing and modal flexibility to smooth haulage costs.

There’s a lot to unpack here, but the headline is straightforward: December’s gain was modest, underlying demand remains soft, and policy and weather are the wildcards that could change the picture faster than expected. As the saying goes, “forewarned is forearmed”—and logistics professionals should treat these signals as a cue to sharpen flexibility and cost control.

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Highlights: modest tonnage gains, inventory destocking, port frontloading due to tariff timing, winter-weather disruption, and a mixed pricing environment favoring carriers when capacity tightens. Even the best reviews and the most honest feedback can’t replace hands-on experience—so test routes, carriers and timing yourself. On GetTransport.com, you can order your cargo transportation at the best prices globally at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. Benefit from the platform’s convenience, affordability and extensive options for office and home moves, cargo deliveries, and large-item transport—transparent, straightforward and ready to help. Get the best offers GetTransport.com.com

In short: December’s freight numbers show a slight rebound but underline fragility—inventory moves, tariff-driven timing and weather remain key influencers. For carriers, shippers and logistics planners the near-term playbook is to watch ports, manage inventories and maintain flexibility in dispatch and routing. And if you’re looking to streamline the practical side of freight—cargo booking, forwarder options, pallet or container moves, housemoves and bulky-item transport—GetTransport.com provides a cost-effective, convenient way to arrange shipping, forwarding and haulage. Reliable delivery, simplified dispatch and broad choices make it easier to move freight when the market flips. Cargo, freight, shipment, delivery, transport, logistics, shipping, forwarding, dispatch, haulage, courier, distribution, moving, relocation, housemove, movers, parcel, pallet, container, bulky, international, global, reliable.