Which change was essential for the trucking industry to scale from local to national service?

The construction of the interstate highway system was crucial for the trucking industry to expand from local to national service. This network of highways, initiated in the 1950s, allowed for more efficient movement of goods across vast distances. The interstate system connected cities and regions like never before, significantly reducing travel times and enhancing the reliability of freight transport.

With a well-maintained and extensive highway network, trucking companies could plan longer routes, streamline their operations, and ultimately provide faster delivery services across the country. This not only facilitated inter-state commerce but also contributed to the growth of the national economy by ensuring goods could be transported efficiently from producers to consumers regardless of geographic barriers.

While regulations, logistics companies, and technology have also played important roles in the evolution of the trucking industry, it was the interstate highway system that fundamentally changed the landscape of freight movement, enabling companies to cater to a national market effectively.