Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Trucks See Most of Cross-Border Freight Increase

Newly released U.S. Transportation Department figures show the amount of freight moved between the U.S. and its Canadian and Mexican neighbors edged higher by just 0.1% in November from the same time a year earlier.

by Staff
January 29, 2015
Trucks See Most of Cross-Border Freight Increase

Percent change in the value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows by mode: November 2013 - November 2014. Graphic: U.S. DOT

3 min to read


Percent change in the value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows by mode: November 2013 - November 2014. Graphic: U.S. DOT

Newly released U.S. Transportation Department figures show the amount of freight moved between the U.S. and its Canadian and Mexican neighbors edged higher by just 0.1% in November from the same time a year earlier. This follows a record high level set the month before while trucking saw the lion’s share of the growth in November.

Ad Loading...

It totaled $96.3 billion though the annual growth in the value of trade between the North American Free Trade Agreement partners slowed in November due in part to the reduced value of shipments of mineral fuels and imported vehicles, parts, and electrical machinery, according to the department.

Ad Loading...

For the first 11 months of 2014 overall NAFTA freight movements are 4.5% higher compared to the first 11 months of 2013.

In November, compared to a year earlier, the value of commodities moving by truck grew by the largest percentage of any mode, 1.4%, followed by pipeline freight, which increased by 1.1%. Rail freight decreased by 3%, while vessel freight fell by 3.3%. Air freight decreased by 7.1%.

Of the $115 million increase in the value of U.S.-NAFTA freight from in November from the same time in 2013, a $787 million increase by truck and a $74 million increase by pipeline offset decreases by the other modes of air, vessel and rail.

Trucks carry three-fifths of U.S.-NAFTA freight and are the most heavily utilized mode for moving goods to and from both U.S.-NAFTA partners. Trucks accounted for $29.9 billion of exports and $28.7 billion of imports. Rail remained the second largest mode, moving 15.3% of all U.S.-NAFTA freight, followed by vessel, 8.7%; pipeline, 6.8%; and air, 3.7%. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83% of the total U.S.-NAFTA freight flows

U.S.-Canada Freight

Ad Loading...

Year-over-year, U.S.-Canada freight moved by vessel was the only mode to show an increase, growing 0.2%. Freight moved by pipeline decreased 0.3% and truck 1.5%. Rail freight fell 5.2% while air freight decreased 5.6%

Trucks carried 55.2% of the $52.4 billion of freight to and from Canada, followed by rail, 16.3%; pipeline, 11.8%; vessel, 5.7% and air, 4.5%. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83.3% of the total U.S.-Canada freight flows.

In November 2014, the top commodity category transported between the U.S. and Canada was mineral fuels, of which $6.1 billion, or 57.7%, moved by pipeline.

U.S.-Mexico Freight

Year-over-year, the value of U.S.-Mexico pipeline freight rose 30.4%, the largest percentage increase of any mode, due to an increase in the volume of U.S. exports of mineral fuels, though it remained 0.9% of total U.S.-Mexico freight value. Freight moved by truck increased 4.3% while rail rose 0.3%. Freight carried by vessel decreased 5.2% mainly due to lower mineral fuel prices and air declined 9.9% due to a decline in trade of electrical machinery and precious stones.

Ad Loading...

Trucks carried 67.6% of the $43.9 billion of freight to and from Mexico, followed by rail, 14.2%; vessel, 12.2%; air, 2.8%; and pipeline, 0.9%. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 82.6% of the total U.S.-Mexico freight flows.

The top commodity category transported between the U.S. and Mexico in November 2014 was electrical machinery, of which $7.5 billion, or 92.7%, moved by trucks.

More Fleet Management

Q&A graphic with Erik Neandross headshot
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeMarch 27, 2026

Q&A: What's Real in Advanced Truck Tech? ACT Expo's Erik Neandross Weighs In

The 2026 ACT Expo is focusing heavily on what organizer Erik Neandross calls trucking's digital frontier. This interview excerpt dives into artificial intelligence, zero-emission vehicles, and tips to make sense of it all.

Read More →
Illustration showing man at podium and "digital frontier: Hype or hit" text
Fleet ManagementMarch 26, 2026

Trucking's Digital Frontier: AI, Connected Vehicles, Alternative Fuels and More

There's an amazing amount of new technology for trucking out there. For fleets, the challenge is figuring out what’s real, what’s hype, and what’s worth investing in.

Read More →
Podcast thumbnail saying "Trucking's Digital Frontier"
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeMarch 26, 2026

What's Real in Advanced Truck Technology? ACT Expo's Erik Neandross Weighs In

Artificial intelligence, the software-defined vehicle, telematics, autonomous trucks, electric trucks and alternative fuels, and more in this HDT Talks Trucking interview

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration showing generic graphs and stylized trucking fleet
Fleet Managementby StaffMarch 24, 2026

ACT: Trucking Volumes Rise, Capacity Tightens as Fuel Prices Cloud Outlook

ACT Research data shows volumes hitting a four-year high and supply-demand balance strengthening, but higher oil prices are undercutting tariff relief and tempering optimism.

Read More →
People looking at Wabash display at TMC
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 23, 2026

Wabash Teams Physical Security With Digital Tech For Better Cargo Visibility

The patent-pending cargo solution integrates a digitally connected cargo door and an intelligent locking system with the TrailerHawk.AI technology platform.

Read More →
Cyberstop column header depicting images related to cybersecurity and rising oil prices
Fleet Managementby Ben WilkensMarch 20, 2026

From Diesel Prices to Cyberattacks: How the Iran War Is Affecting Trucking

The impact of the Iran conflict extends beyond fuel costs, bringing more fraud and cybersecurity risks to the trucking industry.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
ATA President Chris Spear.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsMarch 17, 2026

ATA’s Spear Warns Fuel Prices, Trade Policy, and Global Conflict Could Stall Trucking Recovery

Speaking at the TMC Annual Meeting in Nashville, ATA President Chris Spear said trucking faces mounting pressure from rising fuel prices, geopolitical instability, and uncertainty around trade policy.

Read More →
Illustration of author headshot with black-and-white old-fashioned rig in the background

New Entrants, Chameleon Carriers, and Safety: Is It Too Easy to Start a Trucking Company?

More than 100,000 new trucking companies enter the industry each year, but regulators manage to audit only a fraction of them. That churn creates opportunities for inexperienced startups — and for “chameleon carriers” that shut down after safety violations and reappear under new identities. Read more from Deborah Lockridge in this commentary.

Read More →
Panel discussion
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeMarch 12, 2026

Fleet Managers Invited to Apply for Exclusive HDT Exchange Event

HDTX is an intimate event that connects heavy-duty trucking fleet managers with industry suppliers through small-group discussions, educational sessions, and structured one-on-one meetings.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
DAT iPhone Widget.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 12, 2026

DAT Launches iPhone Widget to Help Owner-Operators Find Loads Faster

New DAT One feature shows top-paying loads directly on an iPhone’s home screen, helping carriers react faster to spot-market opportunities.

Read More →