ARLINGTON, VA. — The American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) advanced seasonally adjusted Index for November saw its first gain since July of this year, the associations reported today.

November’s increase came in at 3.7 percent, erasing October’s 3.7 percent drop. Compared with the same month last year, the index was up 1 percent. Year-to-date, tonnage is up 2.8 percent, ATA said.

The not-seasonally adjusted was 6.5% below October.

Both October’s and November’s tonnage reading were impacted by Hurricane Sandy, said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello in a news release. “But it was still good to see tonnage snap back in November.”

A boost to flatbed tonnage is expected from the rebuilding in the areas affected by Sandy, Costello said, although most of that won’t happen till spring when the money starts flowing and the weather is conducive to building.

“Outside of Sandy, if the fiscal cliff isn’t fixed in time, expect a slowdown in tonnage early next year as paychecks shrink for all households,” Costello said. “Since trucks account for the vast majority of deliveries in the retail supply, any reduction in consumer spending will hurt.”

Even if we don’t drive off the fiscal cliff, Costello expects slower tonnage growth in 2013 than 2012 as better housing starts and auto sales will be offset by slower factory output and consumer spending.

Costello added that even if we don’t go off the fiscal cliff, he expects slower tonnage growth in 2013 than 2012 as better housing starts and auto sales will be offset by slower factory output and consumer spending.