State-by-State Truck Trends Reveal Strong Demand for Long-Haul and Proven OEMs
The latest state-by-state data from Commercial Truck Trader offers a clear snapshot of what buyers across the U.S. are searching for most on the marketplace when it comes to commercial trucks. By analyzing the top truck category and OEM in each state, a few national patterns emerge. Most notably, conventional sleeper trucks lead search demand across 31 states, while established manufacturers remain top choices nationwide. Peterbilt stands out as the top OEM in 31 states, followed by Kenworth in 10 states.
For dealers, fleets, and owner-operators alike, this recent marketplace data provides valuable insight into how freight movement, e-commerce growth, and operational priorities are shaping purchasing behavior nationwide.
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Conventional Sleeper Trucks
The most significant takeaway from the data is the overwhelming demand nationwide for conventional sleeper trucks. From coast to coast, buyers in a majority of states are prioritizing trucks designed for long-distance hauling and extended driving hours. This dominance reflects many market realities.
Long-haul freight continues to serve as the backbone of U.S. logistics, moving goods between ports, manufacturing centers, distribution hubs, and regional warehouses. Even as reshoring, nearshoring, and last-mile delivery gain attention, sleeper trucks remain the most versatile solution for covering long distances.
Conventional sleepers also support greater fleet efficiency by enabling multi-day routes without the added cost of overnight accommodations for drivers. The continued growth of e-commerce and interstate shipping further reinforces this trend, as goods still need to move long distances between fulfillment centers, ports, and regional hubs. In addition, fleets are prioritizing equipment that improves quality of life on the road.
Other Top Categories And What They Reveal
While conventional sleeper trucks dominate nationally, the data also highlights meaningful regional demand for other specialized truck categories.
Tractor Trucks
Several states, including Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Texas, list tractor trucks as their top category. This suggests strong demand for flexible power units that can be paired with a variety of trailers.
Dump Trucks
States like Kentucky, Nevada, and Tennessee show dump trucks as their top category for shoppers. This aligns with ongoing infrastructure investment, road construction, and regional development.
Flatbed Trucks
Flatbed trucks appear as the top category in states such as Delaware, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. These states often support energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and heavy equipment transport.
Contractor and Utility Trucks
Contractor trucks and utility trucks top the list in select states like Montana, New Jersey, and New York. This points to demand driven by municipal services, utilities, construction support, and urban or suburban infrastructure maintenance.
Together, these secondary categories reinforce that while long-haul freight dominates nationally, regional economies still drive important variations in truck demand.
Peterbilt Dominates as Top OEM in 31 States
On the OEM side, Peterbilt clearly leads the market, ranking as the top manufacturer in 31 states and demonstrating strong brand loyalty across major freight corridors and diverse regions. Its focus on quality manufacturing, driver-centric design, and dealer support has helped maintain a dominant position in both the new and used truck markets. Peterbilt’s leadership is further reinforced by strong resale value and consistent performance in the secondary market, along with widespread driver preference for its styling and cab comfort. Supported by a broad product lineup spanning on-highway, vocational, and specialty applications, models like the 579, 389, and 567 continue to attract both large fleets and independent owner-operators across multiple segments.
Kenworth Follows as a Top OEM
Kenworth ranks as the top OEM in 10 states, making it the second-most dominant manufacturer from collected data and reinforcing its strong national presence. The brand has built a reputation for durability, innovation, and driver comfort, with particular appeal in regions where buyers prioritize fuel efficiency, reliability, and advanced driver-assistance technologies. Kenworth’s focus on aerodynamic design and operating efficiency helps fleets reduce total cost of ownership, while its integration of advanced safety systems, telematics, and a robust dealer network supports uptime and long-term performance. Popular models such as the T680, W900, and T880 continue to serve a wide range of long-haul, regional, and vocational applications.
What These Trends Reveal About The Market
When viewed together, the dominance of conventional sleeper trucks and the leadership of Peterbilt and Kenworth tell a consistent story: Buyers are prioritizing proven, long-haul-capable vehicles from trusted manufacturers.
This suggests:
- Long-distance freight remains a central driver of truck demand
- Fleets are investing in driver-friendly equipment to support retention
- Buyers value OEMs with strong resale, reliability, and dealer support
- The used truck market continues to favor well-known, premium brands
Marketplace Inventory
What This Means For Buyers And Sellers
For sellers and dealers, understanding these trends can help inform inventory strategy. Stocking well-maintained sleeper trucks from top OEMs is likely to attract more buyer interest and generate faster turn times.
For buyers, this data reinforces the importance of evaluating not just price, but also long-term value, operating costs, and driver satisfaction when selecting work trucks.
Shelby Ballou
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