Trucking has been a part of the transportation industry since the late 1800's when the first internal combustion engine was put in a truck by Karl Benz. Prior to this date, steam engines drove the trucks. The change to an internal combustion engine made an improvement in trucks. These engines were much more powerful and could carry larger loads, greater distances, which made the trucks more efficient.

Like the advancements in the automobile, the trucking industry has also seen technological advances. The engines became more powerful and ran more efficiently. The cabs became more comfortable for truck drivers. And, the trailers improved so that truckers could transport just about any load that they had to.