ARLINGTON, Va. — US for-hire truck tonnage continued its choppy course in September, rising 1.7% after falling a revised 2.8% in August.

Compared to September 2009, tonnage was up 5.1%, well above August’s 2.9% year-over-year gain. Year-to-date, tonnage is up 6.1% compared to the same period in 2009, the American Trucking Associations reports.

“While I am glad to report that tonnage grew in September, the fact remains that truck freight volumes leveled off over the summer and early autumn. This is a reflection of an economy that is barely growing,” said the ATA’s chief economist, Bob Costello. He noted that the trucking industry is significantly smaller than it was prior to the recession, but as a result, is better equipped to deal with slower than normal tonnage growth.