The truck industry serves the American economy by transporting large quantities of raw materials, work in progress, and finished products, typically over land, from manufacturing facilities to retail distribution centers. Trucks are also used in the construction industry as dump trucks and portable concrete mixers move large amounts of rock, dirt, concrete and other building materials used in construction. Trucks in America are responsible for most of the freight movements on land and are vehicles in the manufacturing, shipping and storage industries.

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is required to drive large trucks and buses. Obtaining a CDL requires extra training and education that deals with the specific knowledge requirements and handling characteristics of such a large vehicle. Drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) must comply with their service hours, which are regulations that regulate the driving hours of commercial drivers. These and all other rules regarding the safety of interstate commercial driving are published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). FMCSA is a division of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) that manages all transportation-related industries such as shipping, shipping, railways and airlines. Some other issues are handled by another branch of USDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Advances in technology such as computers, satellite communications and the Internet have contributed to many developments in the industry. These developments have increased the productivity of company operations, saved drivers' time and effort, and provided new, more accessible forms of entertainment for men and women who often spend long periods away from home. In 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency implemented revised emission standards for diesel trucks (reduced airborne pollutants emitted by diesel engines), which promised to improve air quality and public health.