Freight’s CO2 Problem: US States Face Major Emissions Surge

Truck freight emissions across the US are set to increase significantly, with total emissions forecast to rise by 7% in 2025.

Fresh data from InTek Logistics highlights the most emission-intensive freight corridors, showing Texas, California and Illinois leading the way in CO₂ output.

The findings expose the growing environmental challenge posed by freight transport and the need for more sustainable logistics solutions.

Freight transportation plays a major role in carbon emissions and trucking is the fastest-growing contributor.

Traffic congestion and idle time worsen its environmental impact, making it a key concern for sustainability efforts.

According to InTek Logistics, US truck freight emitted 392 million metric tons (MMT) of CO₂ in 2023. That figure is projected to climb to 420 MMT in 2025—equivalent to adding more than six million cars to the road.

Rick LaGore, Co-Founder and CEO at InTek Logistics, highlights the urgency of addressing this issue: “The predicted increase in carbon emissions in Texas and across the rest of the US is alarming.

"Sustainability credentials are increasingly becoming an expectation rather than a nice to have, as regulations change, and consumer and stakeholder expectations evolve. It is therefore vital that shippers try to mitigate their impact on the environment.”

InTek Logistics analysed the most delayed truck freight corridors using data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and examined state-to-state freight movement based on ‘million ton-miles’ data from the Freight Analysis Framework (FAF). To determine the highest truck freight emissions, they applied the Environmental Defense Fund’s emissions formula.

The findings show that emissions are set to increase across all of the top 10 most emission-intensive states, with some states expecting double-digit percentage increases.

Texas, which already has the highest freight-related emissions, is set to see a 12% rise from 51 MMT to 57 MMT in 2025. California follows with an expected increase from 34 MMT to 38 MMT—a 13% jump. Illinois, Florida and Ohio also feature prominently on the list.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation accounts for 28% of total US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with 80% of this coming from light and medium-heavy duty vehicles. These figures put increasing pressure on shippers to address their environmental impact. 

Freight emissions in major metropolitan areas

Certain cities bear a heavier emissions burden due to their role as key freight hubs.

Los Angeles has the highest truck freight emissions among major US metros, with 16 MMT in 2023, set to increase to 18 MMT in 2025.

The city’s ports—Los Angeles and Long Beach—handle a massive share of US imports, creating high freight traffic as goods move inland. With a dense urban population, the demand for local freight transport adds to the emissions challenge.

Detroit, a major manufacturing and logistics centre, has lower trucking-related emissions than some other metros.

In 2023, it recorded 6.3 MMT in destination emissions, partly due to the region’s reliance on rail transport for long-haul freight. Many automotive suppliers are located near assembly plants, reducing the need for long-distance trucking.

Dallas-Fort Worth, another major freight hub, is expected to see origin emissions rise to 14 MMT in 2025—a 1.03 MMT increase from 2023.

Houston is also set for a major jump, with destination freight emissions climbing nearly 3 MMT, from 9.01 MMT in 2023 to 12 MMT in 2025. This increase can be linked to major trucking routes such as the I-10 and I-45 interstates, which channel significant freight traffic through the city, exacerbating congestion and emissions.

Rick also stresses the potential of intermodal transport in tackling emissions: “Using intermodal transportation is a simple way to improve sustainability as it reduces the number of trucks on the road and offers far more fuel efficiency than trucking.

"Just one intermodal train can carry the equivalent of 280 trucks. This makes intermodal a powerhouse in reducing carbon footprints by 60% as compared to trucking.” 

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