Analysis
NAICS 484121 is the 2022 national industry for general freight trucking, long-distance, truckload, part of 48412 (General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance). Census lists 5 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 40% and employment rose 15%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
County Business Patterns counts 60,137 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 613,274 people at an average annual payroll of $61,117 per employee (35th percentile of national industries). 78% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
By establishments it ranks 1st of the 2 codes at this level within General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, with 84.8% of them.
Census lists 5 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 484122, 4842, 488490 and 484110. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include bulk mail truck transportation, contract, long-distance (TL), container trucking services, long-distance (TL), general freight trucking, long-distance, truckload (TL) and motor freight carrier, general, long-distance, truckload…, among 5 in all.
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing long-distance general freight truckload (TL) trucking. These long-distance general freight truckload carrier establishments provide full truck movement of freight from origin to destination. The shipment of freight on a truck is characterized as a full single load not combined with other shipments.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing general freight long-distance, less than truckload trucking | 484122 General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Less Than Truckload |
| Providing specialized freight trucking | 4842 Specialized Freight Trucking |
| Operating independent trucking terminals | 488490 Other Support Activities for Road Transportation |
| Providing local general freight trucking services | 484110 General Freight Trucking, Local |
| Providing independent truck driving services (except owner-operators) | 488490 Other Support Activities for Road Transportation |
Index entries (5)
- Bulk mail truck transportation, contract, long-distance (TL)
- Container trucking services, long-distance (TL)
- General freight trucking, long-distance, truckload (TL)
- Motor freight carrier, general, long-distance, truckload (TL)
- Trucking, general freight, long-distance, truckload (TL)