Data from Tech.co’s 2025 Logistics Report has revealed that US fleet companies are facing pressure when it comes to on-time deliveries and driver availability, amidst an ongoing labor crisis in the industry.
Similarly, those affected by the shortage are turning to third-party carriers at least occasionally, in order to keep up with the increasing freight demand.
The problem is likewise causing customer dissatisfaction, with a lack of drivers having the ability to produce delayed delivery times, or cancelled shipments altogether.
New Tech.co Data Reveals Delivery Pressures for US Freight Companies
According to Tech.co’s 2025 Logistics Report, US fleet companies say on-time delivery (43%) and driver availability (42%) are under the most pressure, amid the ongoing labor crisis.
Other freight operations under the most pressure include cost control (39%), customer expectations (37%), fleet maintenance (22%) and tech implementation (13%).
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A shortage of workers undoubtedly has the ability to bring logistics operations to a halt. Companies are having to think more about how they operate – particularly, in an industry that is showing no signs of slowing down.
Unsurprisingly, concerns around the driver shortage among freight companies are plenty. According to our report, companies are most worried about service disruptions and delivery failures (24%), increased labor costs (23%) and missed growth opportunities (18%).
US Fleet Companies Relying on Third-Party Carriers Amid Staff Shortage
Of the US freight companies impacted by the industry’s driver shortage, our data found that 67% rely on third-party carriers at least occasionally. This suggests that the current crisis is impacting businesses’s ability to meet freight demand, which seems to also be on the rise.
The percentage of freight companies affected by the driver shortage operating entirely in-house, comes to only 8%. This reveals an interaction with the problem across much of the industry, as a clear majority are relying on outside help.
Workforce Crisis Poses Customer Satisfaction Risk
Not only are drivers and freight companies feeling the strain of labor shortages, but customers are also being directly impacted.
Our report found that 51% of transport and shipping professionals say driver constraints have occasionally or frequently impacted their ability to meet customer expectations. On the other hand, only 13% of respondents say their customer expectation has not been affected.
Critically, the labor shortage doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Logistics businesses are still struggling with a lack of qualified drivers, and while innovations in technology seem to be making some small gains, more rapid adoption is needed.
