Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners, Canada and Mexico, was 14.9 percent higher in October 2010 than in October 2009, reaching $70.6 billion

, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Despite the 2009-2010 increase, the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in October 2010 remained 2.9 percent below the October 2008 level.

The month-to-month comparison between September and October revealed a 3.3 percent improvement, BTS says.

The value of surface trade with Canada and Mexico in October was up 10.3 percent compared to October 2005, and up 36.4 percent compared to October 2000. Imports in October were up 28.0 percent compared to October 2000, while exports were up 47.5 percent.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In October, 86.1 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved over land.

U.S. Surface Transportation Trade with Canada

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $40.7 billion in October, up 12.2 percent compared to October 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 11.6 percent higher in October 2010 compared to October 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 13.7 percent higher during this period.

Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in October with $5.3 billion.

U.S. Surface Transportation Trade with Mexico

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $29.9 billion in October, up 18.8 percent compared to October 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 17.2 percent higher in October 2010 than October 2009 while the value of exports carried by truck was 13.8 percent higher.

Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in October with $10.9 billion. October was the third straight month in which Texas trade with Mexico by surface modes exceeded $10 billion.

October TransBorder numbers include data received by BTS as of Dec. 10. The news release and summary tables can be found at www.bts.gov.