ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Trucking Associations‘ advance seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 0.8 percent in October after increasing 1.8 percent in September.

Seasonally adjusted tonnage climbed 6 percent over the same period in 2009, outpacing September’s 5.3 percent year-over-year gain.

Overall, tonnage is up 6.1 percent year-to-date over 2009.

"October tonnage levels were at the highest level in three months, even after accounting for typical seasonal shipping patterns," ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. "These gains fit with reports out of both the manufacturing and retail sectors and show there is a little bit of life in this economic recovery. "

ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership.