New Research Reveals Over 50% of Truckloads Transported with Unused Capacity Last Year

According to a recent study by Flock Freight and Drive Research, there’s been a noticeable increase in the number of trucks operating with empty space on U.S.highways. Their 2025 shipper survey highlights significant inefficiencies within the trucking industry.

The findings reveal that in 2024, a staggering 58% of truckloads had unused trailer space, which is quite an increase from the previous year’s figure of 43%. On average, these underloaded trucks left about 34 linear feet vacant—essentially indicating that one out of every three trucks was not fully utilized.Chris Pickett, Chief Commercial Officer at Flock Freight, commented on this trend: “The rise in half-empty trucks reflects a sluggish freight market where low shipping costs make it less concerning to transport unoccupied space.” He emphasized that shippers value truckload freight for its adaptability and speed in delivering goods—a necessity that persists even as market conditions improve and costs for unused capacity rise. what shippers really need is an innovative solution allowing them to pay solely for the space they occupy while ensuring high service quality and cargo safety.This is precisely where Flock’s Shared Truckload model comes into play.The survey gathered insights from 1,000 decision-makers across various sectors including retail, industrial machinery, food and beverage, and consumer packaged goods. Key takeaways include:

– The trend of underutilized truckloads is escalating; last year saw a notable jump with 58% reporting unused capacity.
– Service quality remains paramount; timely deliveries are crucial for shippers since delays can cost large companies around $6.2 million annually.
– Issues like fraud and theft are significant concerns; over 1% of shipments experienced such problems last year resulting in nearly $10 million lost each year.

With major retailers tightening their on-time delivery standards (OTIF), many shippers opt for quicker but pricier solutions even when full truckloads aren’t necesary. Actually, one out of six less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments were late last year—prompting more businesses to book full loads rather.

Flock Freight believes its Shared truckload approach can address these challenges effectively. By utilizing an AI-driven system that consolidates shipments from various clients onto single vehicles, they aim to minimize waste while reducing expenses and ensuring timely deliveries.

This model allows shippers to dispatch freight as soon as it’s ready without waiting for enough cargo to fill an entire truck.“This not only cuts down costs but also guarantees prompt delivery without damage while upholding top-notch service standards,” stated the company representatives.