The private fleet landscape in 2026 is shifting in ways that reveal a lot about how different industries are adapting to demand, cost pressures, and long‑term strategy. Some sectors are expanding fast, others are stabilizing, and a few are pulling back, creating a mixed but meaningful picture of where transportation needs are headed.
Food service, beverage distribution, and agriculture are among the strongest performers this year. Performance Foodservice made one of the biggest moves by adding more than 1,000 trucks, while Sysco and PepsiCo Beverages North America held their leading positions. Companies like Southern Glazer’s, Swire Coca‑Cola USA, and Tyson Foods also expanded their fleets, signaling continued demand for reliable distribution in these essential sectors.
Retail fleets kept growing as well. Walmart, still the largest private carrier overall, increased its tractor count to keep pace with year‑round consumer demand. Dollar General moved ahead of Amazon after expanding its fleet, showing how retailers are investing in transportation capacity to maintain delivery speed and inventory consistency.
Grocery distribution saw a major shift when C&S Wholesale Grocers acquired SpartanNash, immediately pushing the combined fleet into the top five. Consolidation continues to reshape how goods move across the country, especially in high‑volume categories.
Construction‑related industries showed more selective growth. Quikrete held its lead, while CRH Americas expanded enough to move ahead of ABC Supply. In equipment rental, United Rentals remained on top despite a slight reduction, and Herc Holdings and EquipmentShare continued to grow. Quanta Services made a strong entrance by debuting at No. 1 in its sector, reflecting rising infrastructure demand.
Energy, chemicals, and industrial gases experienced mixed results. Halliburton held steady as the largest private fleet in energy, while Patterson‑UTI Energy reduced its fleet due to changes within its subsidiaries. Brenntag North America grew modestly, and industrial gas fleets like Air Liquide USA saw slight declines but maintained their leadership.
Waste management and healthcare fleets remained stable. Clean Harbors expanded its operations with additional tractors, and Burrtec Waste Industries and Edco Disposal entered the rankings together. Medline continued to lead healthcare distribution with a consistent fleet size.
Across all sectors, the 2026 data highlights how transportation strategies are evolving. Some industries are scaling up to meet demand, others are optimizing for efficiency, and many are navigating market fluctuations with caution. For companies relying on private fleets, and for partners like Highway Driver Leasing, these trends reinforce the importance of flexibility, reliable drivers, and smart resource planning.