According to a recent report from Tech.co, nearly half of US freight haulers say that finding qualified drivers is their biggest challenge — 45% name it as their top concern, and 38% describe it as “critical” or of “high urgency.” The causes are an aging workforce, a lack of young drivers and high driver turnover.
The near future doesn’t look much better. The American Trucking Association estimates that by 2030, the US will need at least 160,000 more drivers just to meet existing demand.
This shortage isn’t confined to traditional freight — it’s also coming for industries that rely on heavy and specialized hauling, including modular homebuilding.
In fact, the skills needed to deliver modular homes are above and beyond those needed to haul standard shipping containers. Drivers of these wide loads must be licensed for oversized transport. And they need to know how to navigate a list of challenges that include securing special permits, planning detours around low bridges and power lines, and coordinating with local authorities for road closures or police escorts. These tasks require a depth of knowledge and a calm confidence that only comes with experience — something that’s increasingly scarce as older drivers retire and fewer young people choose trucking as a career.
The stakes are high: a delayed module delivery can ripple through an entire project timeline, halting foundation work, disrupting crew schedules and putting financing milestones at risk.
In fact, some modular factories are already seeing production delays because they can’t secure transport slots in time to move finished modules off the line. And modular builders are faced with longer wait times, rising costs and tighter delivery windows.
To tackle this problem, both freight companies and modular manufacturers need to think creatively and act boldly.
Technology can help ease the strain. Many fleets are adopting digital freight-matching systems and advanced route optimization software to make the most of the drivers they do have. By streamlining logistics and maximizing driver productivity, companies can stretch limited resources further and avoid costly downtime.
But we still need drivers, which means there needs to be more investment in driver recruitment and retention. Hauling companies will have to offer not just higher pay, but also improved benefits, predictable schedules and clear career advancement pathways. The trucking lifestyle has traditionally been hard on families and work-life balance — changing that narrative is essential if we’re to attract new talent.
Haulers can also build partnerships with truck driving schools and launch apprenticeship programs focused on wide-load endorsements to help create a pipeline of qualified operators. Modular manufacturers might even consider sponsoring training initiatives directly, ensuring a dedicated pool of drivers who understand the complexities of transporting modular units.
Policymakers have a role to play, too. Expanding funding for commercial driver’s license (CDL) programs, offering subsidies for wide-load training and modernizing regulations would make it easier (and more attractive) for young drivers to enter the field.
The modular industry is at an inflection point. Demand is booming, thanks to a need for more affordable and sustainable housing solutions. But no matter how efficient factories become or how advanced design software gets, none of it matters if finished homes can’t reach their destinations on time.
For freight executives and modular manufacturers alike, addressing the driver shortage must be more than a talking point — it needs to be an immediate operational priority. Companies should be proactive about capacity planning, should engage in early conversations with carriers and should consider offering incentives or flexible scheduling to ensure reliable delivery.
The trucking labor shortage is here, and it’s impacting the modular industry in ways some haven’t fully realized. Addressing it today means safeguarding the promise of modular homes tomorrow: faster builds, lower costs and happier homeowners.
Let’s not allow the lack of qualified drivers to become the bottleneck that stalls one of construction’s most exciting movements.
