The economic impact of the trucking industry in New York State

Key Facts & Figures

The trucking industry in New York supports nearly 328,000 jobs. NY Trucks
Annual wages paid by the industry exceed $22.5 billion. NY Trucks
There are over 114,000 trucking companies in New York, mostly small, locally owned businesses. NY Trucks
In 2022, New York’s freight system moved about 743 million tons of freight, valued at $1.3 trillion. TRIP+1
Trucking transported 96.2% of the total manufactured tonnage in New York state in 2023. NY Trucks

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) & Freight-Dependent Industries
- Industries that are freight-reliant (manufacturing, agriculture, transportation/warehousing, wholesale trade, etc.) contribute over 18% of New York State’s GDP. New York State DOT
- These freight-reliant industries also account for about 25% of statewide employment, meaning a significant portion of New York’s jobs depend directly or indirectly on trucking and freight movement. New York State DOT
Revenue from Road and User Taxes
- In 2022, the industry paid around $1.1 billion in federal and state roadway taxes. NY Trucks
- For example, a typical five-axle tractor-semitrailer paid roughly $12,996 in state highway user fees and taxes (on top of other business taxes) in addition to over $10,500 in federal user fees/taxes. NY Trucks
Infrastructure & Jobs Supported
- The maintenance, expansion, and operation of roads, bridges, ports, and terminals that support trucking generate and sustain thousands of jobs across multiple sectors. TRIP+2New York State DOT+2
- Approximately 319,000 full-time jobs statewide are supported by the transportation infrastructure network. TRIP
Cost of Congestion
- Congestion imposes large costs: in 2022, trucking in New York State incurred more than $5.7 billion in additional costs due to traffic delays, inefficiencies, and time lost. NY Trucks
- In the NYC metro area alone, truck congestion costs were among the highest in the nation. NY Trucks+1

Infrastructure Wear & Maintenance Costs
The heavy use of public roads (billions of truck miles) means wear and tear is extensive, needing frequent repairs, upgrades, and expenditures. Old bridges, bottlenecks, and poorly maintained roadways reduce efficiency and drive up costs. TRIP+2NY Trucks+2
Congestion & Delays
As mentioned, congestion costs are huge. Delays not only slow delivery and increase labor hours, but also fuel usage, maintenance costs, and pass-through costs to consumers. NY Trucks+1
Dependence on Trucking for Manufactured Goods and Retail Supply Chains
Most goods in New York, especially in manufacturing and retail, rely almost completely on trucks for final delivery. Disruptions or inefficiencies in trucking ripple across the economy. NY Trucks+2New York State DOT+2
Environmental Regulation & Fuel Costs
Increasing fuel prices, emissions standards, and environmental regulations impose additional costs. Trucks are a significant part of infrastructure user-fees and environmental compliance. NY Trucks+1
Projected Growth vs Capacity
Freight volume and value in New York are expected to increase sharply by 2050: about 66% by weight and 94% by value (adjusted for inflation). Meeting that growth will require investment in infrastructure, capacity, workforce, and technology. TRIP+1

Infrastructure Investment
Upgrading highways, bridges, reducing bottlenecks, improving intermodal connections (ports, rail) will reduce costs and improve reliability.
Technology Adoption
Telematics, route optimization, fuel efficiency measures, alternative fuels, electrification of trucks — all can help reduce operating costs and environmental impact.
Policy Support & Tax Incentives
Incentives for cleaner vehicles, grants for infrastructure, better regulation of congestion/pricing, support for small trucking companies.
Expansion of E-Commerce & Last-Mile Logistics
Growing demand for fast delivery services (especially in urban/suburban NY) means more shorter haul and last-mile opportunities.