The trucking industry is a major part of the U.S. economy. Billions of units of product are shipped to the U.S. every year, and semi trucks are largely responsible for distributing those products throughout the country. If you’re thinking of becoming an Arizona truck driver, you might be interested in learning a few key facts and statistics.
Semi Trucks on the Road
Semi trucks get their name from semi trailers, which do not have front wheels and rely on tractors for transportation. There are nearly 2 million semi trucks in operation in the U.S., and around 5.6 million semi trailers. Semi trucks and semi trailers are also known as tractors and tractor trailers, respectively.
Semi Truck Size and Weight
Most semi trailers are 53 feet long, though some semi trucks pull multiple trailers at once. Some semi truck engines weigh as much as 3,000 lbs., and can tow tens of thousands of pounds. Federal regulations state that semi trucks and trailers cannot weigh more than 80,000 lbs.—anything heavier could potentially damage roads and bridges.
Number of Miles Driven
Truck drivers drive an estimated 140 billion miles every year, and a single semi drives about 45,000 miles a year on average. According to the Federal Highway Administration, long-distance trucks travel upwards of 100,000 miles a year. 42% of all miles driven by commercial vehicles are driven by semi trucks.
Impact on the Economy
Semi trucks provide essential transportation services for the U.S. economy. Though trains provide efficient transportation, semi trucks are better at taking smaller loads to specific places. 68% of all goods are transported via semi truck. That works out to an astonishing 60,000 lbs. per American per year.
The truck driving instructors at HDS Truck Driving Institute can teach you anything else you’d like to know about the trucking industry. To find out which steps you need to take to earn your CDL, call our Tucson location at (520) 622-0419 or our Phoenix location at (602) 484-7901. With our help, you can earn your CDL and be well on your way to a promising new career.
