WASHINGTON, D.C. — New research published by Flock Freight and Drive Research shows that nearly half of all U.S. truckloads moved with partial loads in 2023, leaving an average of 29 feet of unused deck space behind. The study, titled Wasted Space, Wasted Dollars: The Economic Impact of Inefficient Freight, surveyed 1,000 transportation decision-makers across various domestic industries to evaluate current capacity utilization. The findings reveal that one in every four truckloads operated entirely empty last year, exposing deep structural flaws in how goods move across the country.

Traditional shipping models have long relied on a binary view of trailer capacity, treating loads as either completely full or entirely empty. This rigid mindset leaves massive amounts of cubic capacity wasted on the highway every single day. Enterprise shippers suffer massive financial blows under this system, losing up to $6.3 million annually in damage claims and cargo loss alone. Administrative overhead, unexpected accessorial fees, and hours spent untangling logistics failures compound the financial drain on carriers and shippers alike as the market shifts away from a deflationary freight cycle.

Cargo theft and brokerage fraud added another layer of operational friction in 2023, impacting 89% of surveyed shippers. Data shows that one in every 43 shipments fell victim to theft or fraud, generating direct financial losses, steep fines, and plunging client satisfaction rates. To combat these mounting economic pressures, 90.8% of surveyed shippers increased their transportation budgets by 1% to 10% to absorb rising market volatility.

What This Means for Drivers

For company drivers and owner-operators, hauling partially empty trailers translates directly into wasted time and squeezed profit margins. Hauling deadhead miles or managing fragmented loads forces professional drivers to complete extra trips just to maintain revenue, driving up fuel consumption and mechanical wear on equipment. Dealing with constant cargo damage claims, missing paperwork, and the administrative fallout of freight theft eats into mandatory rest periods and degrades day-to-day job satisfaction across the highway network.

Industry Reaction

Industry stakeholders point out that breaking the cycle of empty miles requires abandoning outdated truckload definitions in favor of shared truckload models. Operating units with combined freight allows motor carriers to maximize trailer utilization, lower overall transportation spend, and reduce carbon footprints without sacrificing delivery speed. CDL-A drivers and independent owner-operators navigating these tight capacity margins need to align with shipping networks that prioritize high-density loads and eliminate wasted downtime.

Key Points

• In 2023, 43% of U.S. truckloads moved with partial loads, averaging 29 feet of unused deck space.
• One in every four truckloads operated completely empty over the course of the study period.
• Enterprise shippers absorb up to $6.3 million annually in cargo loss and damage claims.
• Freight fraud and cargo theft affected 89% of shippers in 2023, hitting one in every 43 shipments.

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