U.S. Xpress Cuts Staff as Freight Demand Drops and Truck Count Shrinks

U.S. Xpress has enacted broad company-wide layoffs after an internal email revealed the carrier is facing a “reduced truck count” and softer freight demand heading into December. The cuts come as the market continues to slump, forcing even large, well-established trucking companies to tighten operations and scale back resources. While the exact number of employees affected was not disclosed, the move signals a significant internal adjustment as the company responds to shrinking volumes and fewer active trucks on the road.

This shake-up at U.S. Xpress mirrors a wider trend among major fleets. In the past three months alone, an estimated ~5-10 mega carriers have reduced their fleet size as freight rates, demand, and contract volumes remain unstable. The layoffs at U.S. Xpress appear aligned with that broader industry pullback, highlighting how even the largest players are being forced to adapt quickly to a freight market that has yet to rebound.