A rig that carries 200 gallons of diesel can do an average of 1600 miles depending on what you’re hauling....also most rigs are (who long haul)are chipped...I think they are taxed for another form of transport that is competing against them as opposed to a subway/train that makes their way less congested in order to generate a dollar or two
The Erie Canal barge system doesn’t really compete against the trucking industry. From what I understand, the canal system is used almost exclusively for recreational travel.