Cross-Border Truck Freight Value Jumps 10.2%

Trucks moved freight valued at $60.6 billion between the U.S. and its North American neighbors Canada and Mexico in January, up 10.2% compared to January 2017, according to newly released Transportation Department figures.

The report also showed $27.1 billion worth of truck freight moved between the U.S.-Canada border and $33.5 billion worth of cargo moved between the U.S.-Mexico border. This translated into increases of 6.2% and 13.6%, respectively when compared to January 2017. 

In contrast, total U.S. rail moved freight moved between the U.S. and Canada along with Mexico was valued at $13.3 billion, up 0.6% during the same period. Movements by pipeline, vessel and air were even less in value.

The top states for truck shipments flowing through their ports:

• Texas with $24.8 billion of truck freight, up 14.3% from 2017
• Michigan with $13.3 billion up 5.3%
• New York with $7.4 billion up 3.2%

Busiest truck border crossings:

• Laredo, where the top commodity was computers and parts, accounting for $3.1 billion or 21.7% of the $14.4 billion total
• Detroit, where the top commodity was motor vehicles and parts, accounting for $2.6 billion or 28.3% of the $9.2 billion total.

The top commodities moved by truck were computers and parts valued at $11.5 billion, electrical machinery at $9.8 billion and motor vehicles and parts at $9 billion.