Truck Tonnage Rose 9.4 Percent in April

Truck tonnage climbed to its highest level since September 2008, the brink of the financial crisis that precipitated the recession, a trucking industry index shows.

The American Trucking Associations' For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index gained 0.9 percent in April, its sixth increase in seven months, following a 0.4 percent gain in March.

Compared with April 2009, seasonally adjusted tonnage surged 9.4 percent, the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year gains and the largest increase since January 2005.

"Truck tonnage continues to improve at a solid, yet sustainable, rate, boosted by "robust manufacturing" and "stronger retail sales," said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello.

Year-to-date, seasonally adjusted tonnage is up 6 percent compared with 2009.

For a view of trucking demand, see Truckload Demand Strong But Slowing.

-- For more charts and data on the trucking industry, see JOC By the Numbers.

-- Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com.