NAICS 484121 Quarterly Industry Report
General Freight Trucking, Long Distance, Truckload
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 484121Sector: 48Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This NAICS 484121 industry report compiles data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5] transportation surveys, Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] employment and wage statistics for heavy truck drivers, and Small Business Administration[7] size standard tables. Fair Market Value researchers supplement these federal sources with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration carrier registration data and truckload rate benchmarking reports to produce quarterly updates. Each NAICS 484121 report revision captures freight volumes, rate trends, and competitive dynamics across the long-distance truckload trucking sector.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the general freight trucking, long distance, truckload industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload (NAICS 484121) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing long-distance general freight truckload (TL) trucking. These carriers transport full trailer loads of freight directly from origin to destination without consolidating shipments from multiple shippers. Major fleet operators including J.B. Hunt, Werner Enterprises, Heartland Express, and Knight-Swift rank among the largest truckload carriers, while hundreds of thousands of owner-operators and small fleet companies also compete for freight.
The U.S. Census Bureau[5] separates long-distance truckload operations from less-than-truckload carriers (484122) that consolidate smaller shipments, and from local freight trucking (484110) that serves metropolitan delivery markets. Dry van, refrigerated (reefer), and intermodal container trailers handle the majority of truckload freight. Shipments typically move point-to-point over distances exceeding 150 miles, with transit times ranging from one day to a week depending on lane distance.
Driver recruitment and retention represent the most persistent operational challenge. High turnover rates, hours-of-service regulations, and electronic logging device mandates constrain available capacity. Spot and contract freight markets create pricing volatility, with rates fluctuating based on seasonal demand, fuel costs, and the balance between available trucks and shipper freight volumes. Freight brokers and digital load boards connect carriers with available loads, reducing empty miles between shipments. Fleet technology investments in telematics, route planning software, and trailer tracking systems help carriers improve asset use and reduce operating costs per loaded mile across their long-haul operations.
What's Included in This Industry
- Providing long-distance truckload transportation of dry van freight between distant cities
- Operating refrigerated truckload service for temperature-sensitive general freight shipments
- Running dedicated contract carriage operations for individual shipper accounts
- Hauling intermodal containers on chassis between rail terminals and shipper facilities
- Providing expedited truckload service for time-critical freight movements
- Operating team-driver truckload operations for transcontinental non-stop freight delivery
- Running drop-and-hook truckload service minimizing driver wait time at shipper facilities
- Providing power-only trucking service pulling shipper-owned or broker-provided trailers
- Operating over-the-road truckload service as independent owner-operators under carrier authority
- Hauling general freight truckloads on irregular route authority across multiple states
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Truck Transportation | 484 |
| Industry Group | General Freight Trucking | 4841 |
| NAICS Industry | General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance | 48412 |
| National Industry | General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload | 484121 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 484122 | General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Less Than Truckload | Less-than-truckload carriers consolidate smaller shipments from multiple shippers, competing with truckload operators for freight that fills partial trailer space |
| 484110 | General Freight Trucking, Local | Local freight trucking provides first-mile and last-mile connections that feed freight into and out of long-distance truckload networks |
| 482111 | Line-Haul Railroads | Line-haul railroads compete with truckload carriers on long-haul freight lanes, particularly through intermodal container service |
| 488510 | Freight Transportation Arrangement | Freight transportation arrangement companies broker loads between shippers and truckload carriers, matching available capacity with freight demand |
| 493110 | General Warehousing and Storage | General warehousing and storage facilities serve as origin and destination points for truckload shipments, generating consistent freight volumes |
| 484230 | Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance | Specialized long-distance freight trucking handles flatbed, tanker, and heavy-haul loads that fall outside the general freight carried by truckload van operators |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | 11.2% | 7,100 |
| 2 | California | 11.0% | 6,938 |
| 3 | Texas | 10.5% | 6,657 |
| 4 | Florida | 7.0% | 4,402 |
| 5 | Georgia | 3.9% | 2,474 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 3.6% | 2,285 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 3.4% | 2,173 |
| 8 | Michigan | 3.3% | 2,068 |
| 9 | Ohio | 3.2% | 2,043 |
| 10 | Indiana | 2.9% | 1,845 |
% Of Establishments
0%
11%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
8,072
Total SBA Loans
$1.7B
Total Loan Volume
$212K
Average Loan Size
9 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.48%
Average Interest Rate
45,360
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The Small Business Administration[8] sets the size standard for NAICS 484121 at $34 million in average annual receipts. Owner-operators and small fleet carriers below this threshold qualify as small businesses. SBA 7(a) loans[9] can finance tractor and trailer purchases, fuel costs, and working capital for truckload operations. The SBA 504 program[10] supports terminal construction, maintenance facility investments, and major equipment acquisitions for owner-operated truckload trucking companies.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeast Bank | 1,456 | $220.0M | $151K |
| 2 | The Huntington National Bank | 2,752 | $209.0M | $76K |
| 3 | Lendistry SBLC, LLC | 1,128 | $190.9M | $169K |
| 4 | Cadence Bank | 56 | $81.6M | $1.5M |
| 5 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 48 | $66.3M | $1.4M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What businesses are classified under NAICS 484121?
NAICS 484121 covers truckload carriers, owner-operators, and fleet companies providing long-distance transportation of full trailer loads of general freight. Dedicated contract carriers and expedited TL operators qualify. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] provides the official classification.
How is NAICS 484121 different from LTL trucking?
Truckload carriers (484121) transport full trailer loads point-to-point without consolidation, while LTL operators (484122) combine smaller shipments from multiple shippers through terminal networks. The Census Bureau[11] distinguishes them by shipment size and handling method.
What is the SBA size standard for truckload carriers?
The SBA sets the size standard at $34 million in average annual receipts for NAICS 484121. Most owner-operators and small fleets qualify as small businesses. Current standards appear in the SBA table of size standards[7].
Which NAICS codes relate most closely to 484121?
Key related codes include 484122 for LTL carriers, 484110 for local trucking, 482111 for railroads, 488510 for freight brokers, and 493110 for warehousing. Each connects to the truckload freight ecosystem.
What industries interact with truckload carriers?
Freight brokers (488510) match loads, LTL carriers (484122) handle smaller shipments, railroads (482111) compete on long hauls, local truckers (484110) provide first-last mile, and warehouses (493110) generate freight. Manufacturing and retail sectors produce the bulk of truckload shipping demand.
What activities does NAICS 484121 include?
Activities cover dry van truckload, refrigerated TL, dedicated contract carriage, intermodal drayage, expedited full loads, team driving operations, and owner-operator service under carrier authority. The Census definition[5] covers the full scope.
Can truckload carriers get SBA loans?
Carriers with receipts under $34 million qualify for SBA 7(a) loans covering tractors, trailers, and working capital. The 504 program funds terminals and maintenance facilities. Details are at the SBA funding programs page[12].
Where are truckload carriers concentrated?
Truckload operations concentrate along major interstate corridors and near large distribution hubs. States including Texas, California, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania support the highest concentrations of trucking carriers. Key freight lanes connect the Los Angeles basin, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, and the Northeast corridor.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [9]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [10]SBA 504 program sba.gov
- [11]Census Bureau census.gov
- [12]SBA funding programs page sba.gov
Disclaimer
This publication has been prepared by Fair Market Value (“Fair Market Value”) for informational purposes only. It is provided on an “as-is” and “as available” basis. Fair Market Value makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, completeness, or accuracy of the data or information contained herein. This publication is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, professional financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Users should consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or business decisions based on the information presented.
To the extent permitted by law, Fair Market Value disclaims all liability for loss or damage, direct and indirect, suffered or incurred by any person resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, the data in this publication.
Copyright © 2026 Fair Market Value. All rights reserved. All data, information, articles, graphs, and content contained in this publication are copyrighted works and Fair Market Value hereby reserves all rights. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded to a third party, or distributed without the prior written permission of Fair Market Value.