Land transportation trade between the U.S. and its NAFTA partners was up 39.5 percent in May from the year-ago month, the highest year-over-year increase in total U.S.-NAFTA trade by surface modes on record back to April 1994
, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

May, which saw surface transportation trade reach $66.8 billion, was the third month in the last four with a record year-over-year increase.

Despite the large increase, U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in May was 9.9 percent below the May 2008 level. North American surface freight value rose 1.5 percent in May 2010 from April 2010. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In May, 86.2 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in May was up 15.4 percent compared to May 2005, and up 36.2 percent compared to May 2000, a period of 10 years. Imports in May were up 31.8 percent compared to May 2000, while exports were up 41.8 percent.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $40.2 billion in May, a gain of 37.5 percent from May 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 32 percent higher in May 2010 compared to May 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 34.5 percent higher during this period.

Between the U.S. and Mexico, land transportation trade was at $26.6 billion in May, up 42.7 percent compared to May 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 36.1 percent higher year over year, while the value of exports carried by truck was 43.2 percent higher.

For additional historical data, visit www.bts.gov/xml/tsi/src/index.xml.