Fleet Statistics by State
National dataset showing the number of registered motor carriers grouped by state headquarters.
Understanding Trucking Industry Data
The United States trucking industry is the backbone of the domestic supply chain, moving approximately 72% of all freight tonnage across the country. The FMCSA Census database provides the most comprehensive view of this industry, tracking every registered motor carrier, their fleet sizes, and their geographic distribution.
The statistics above represent carriers grouped by their physical state headquarters as reported in their FMCSA registration. A carrier headquartered in Texas may operate across all 48 contiguous states, so these numbers reflect where companies are based, not where they operate.
Key Metrics Explained
Registered Carriers
The total number of motor carriers with a USDOT number headquartered in each state. Includes both active and inactive registrations.
Total Drivers
The aggregate number of drivers reported by all carriers in each state on their MCS-150 filings.
Power Units
Total self-propelled commercial motor vehicles (trucks, tractors, buses) registered to carriers in each state.
How to Use This Data
- Market analysis — Identify which states have the most carrier density and competition.
- Expansion planning — Evaluate states with growing carrier counts as potential markets for your services.
- Competitive intelligence — Click into any state's directory to see the specific carriers operating there.
- Industry research — Track national fleet size trends and the distribution of trucking capacity across the country.
Related Tools
Carrier Risk Assessment
Get an instant risk grade for any carrier — authority, insurance, safety rating, and OOS rate in one report.
Carrier Directory
Browse individual carriers in any state with sorting and filtering.
New Carrier Tracker
See the latest carriers entering the market with their registration dates.
DOT Number Lookup
Look up detailed information on any specific carrier by USDOT number.
Safety Score Checker
Check inspection history and OOS violation rates for any carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where does this fleet data come from?
- All data is sourced from the FMCSA Census database, which is the official federal registry of motor carriers operating in the United States. Carriers are required to register and update their information biennially through the MCS-150 form. Our tool aggregates this data by state headquarters.
- What is a power unit?
- A power unit is any self-propelled commercial motor vehicle (CMV) used in interstate commerce. This includes trucks, tractors, and buses. The power unit count is a key indicator of a carrier's fleet size and operational capacity. It does not include trailers, which are considered non-powered equipment.
- Why do some states have more carriers than others?
- Carrier concentration varies based on several factors: population density, proximity to major freight corridors and ports, state tax policies, fuel costs, and the presence of major distribution hubs. States like Texas, California, and Florida typically lead in carrier counts due to their large economies and geographic advantages.
- How often is this data updated?
- The FMCSA Census database is updated on a rolling basis as carriers file their MCS-150 biennial updates or register new authority. Our tool caches aggregated statistics for 24 hours to balance data freshness with performance.
- Can I see individual carriers in a state?
- Yes. Click the "View Fleet Directory" link next to any state to browse individual carriers headquartered there. The state directory shows each carrier's legal name, city, DOT number, power units, and driver count, with options to sort and filter.