Semi truck price index and forecast: used Class 8 prices, 2026

This page tracks what used semi trucks sell for, month by month, from a named industry source, and collects forecasts only when someone named and dated made them. It is built for buyers and sellers deciding when to act. The chart lets you move your own truck's value by the same market change.

Used Class 8 price index, 2026

The line shows ACT Research's average retail price for used Class 8 trucks sold by the same dealers. Pick a start month and enter what your truck was worth then to see the same market change applied to it.

June is left out because ACT's first reported figure and the figure implied by later reports do not match.

What moved prices in 2026

Prices were nearly flat early in the year, then climbed through spring, dipped in May and July, and reached a high for the year in August. ACT reported that August prices were 11% higher than a year earlier while sales fell 24% from July, and pointed to tightening inventory: fewer late-model trucks reaching dealers. When supply tightens and demand holds, used prices rise, even in a market where many carriers are cautious.

New truck prices matter too. New trucks are expensive, tariffs and regulations have added to costs, and the EPA 2027 emissions standards are expected to raise new truck prices further. When new trucks cost more, some buyers stay in the used market, which supports used prices.

Semi truck price forecast

We quote forecasts only from named people or firms, with dates:

• John Diez, CEO of Ryder System, told an investor conference in August 2026 that used tractor and truck prices should rise at least 10% year over year in 2027, after gaining about 5% in 2026, driven by a tightening freight market (Transport Topics, August 20, 2026).

A forecast is an informed opinion, not a promise. Ryder sells used trucks, so it watches this market closely, and it also benefits when prices rise. Freight markets can turn quickly; a weaker freight year would change the picture.

What it means if you are buying

Rising used prices mean waiting can cost money, but rushing into the wrong truck costs more. If you need a truck, focus on finding the right spec in good condition at a fair price against current comparables, rather than timing the market. Rising prices also mean a used truck may hold its value better over the next year. Read when is the best time to buy a semi truck and is buying a semi truck a good investment.

What it means if you are selling or trading

A rising market favors sellers. If you plan to upgrade, a strong used market can make your trade worth more. Price your truck against current comparables with the semi truck value estimator, and compare with what leasing a semi truck costs if you are weighing your next move. Battery-electric models follow a different price story; see electric semi truck price.

How to use the index when you negotiate

The index tells you the direction of the market, not the price of a specific truck. When prices are rising, sellers have the upper hand and buyers should expect less room on price; when they are falling, buyers can push harder. Combine the trend with three to five comparables for the exact truck you want, and you have the two things you need to make a confident offer: where the market is heading and what similar trucks actually sold for.

Why averages can mislead

An average moves when the mix of trucks sold changes, not only when prices change. If dealers sell more late-model trucks one month, the average rises even if no single truck got more expensive. That is part of why monthly figures bounce and why ACT also reports age and mileage. Look at the trend over several months rather than one month's jump or dip, and always price your own truck from comparables.

Other price signals worth watching

Spot freight rates, new truck orders and the number of trucks coming off lease all hint at where used prices may go. Rising freight rates and carrier profits usually support used prices; a flood of trade-ins can push them down. Our slow freight market dispatch page tracks the freight side.

Day cabs, sleepers and mileage

The ACT average blends every configuration. Sleeper and day cab markets can move differently, because long-haul and regional fleets buy and sell on different cycles, and very high-mileage trucks follow their own path. If you are pricing a specific type, watch listings and auction results for that type alongside the overall trend.

Method

Source: ACT Research's monthly State of the Industry report on U.S. Classes 3-8 used trucks, as reported by Fleet Equipment and Transport Topics. Figures are average retail prices of used Class 8 trucks sold by the same group of dealers, across all configurations and ages. We use ACT's latest revised figure where one was published. Forecasts are quoted from named speakers with the date and outlet. Checked October 2026; we update the page as new monthly data is published.

Source: ACT Research via Fleet Equipment, checked 2026-10

General information about buying, not financial, tax or legal advice. RigCaptain is not a lender, broker, dealer or insurer. Read every contract and ask a tax professional or attorney about your own deal.