Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

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.

by Staff
April 2, 2018
Cross-Border Truck Freight Value Jumps 10.2%

Top five U.S. ports by truck, January 2018. Graphic: U.S. DOT

1 min to read


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. 

Ad Loading...

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.

Top five U.S. ports by truck, January 2018. Graphic: U.S. DOT

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%

Ad Loading...

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.

 

Top five commodities by truck, January 2018. Graphic: U.S. DOT

 

More Fleet Management

thermo king heavy duty trucking
SponsoredJuly 1, 2026

Enhance Fleet Performance with High-Efficiency Auxiliary Power Units

Drive sustainable cost savings while increasing driver comfort during short- and long-haul logistics operations.

Read More →
Cover of a Dayton Parts guide titled "Strategic Parts Purchasing: A Process Checklist." The cover highlights "5 Steps to Revamp Parts Procurement, Cut Costs and Increase Uptime" and features a warehouse aisle with shelving full of automotive parts, where a worker is organizing heavy-duty suspension components on a pallet.
SponsoredJune 30, 2026

Is Your Parts Procurement Process Reactive or Proactive?

Ready to revamp your parts procurement process? Learn how now with “Strategic Parts Purchasing: A Process Checklist”

Read More →
Fleet Managementby StaffJune 24, 2026

What Trucking Events are Happening in 2026?

Looking for trucking-related conventions, expos, and other events? Heavy Duty Trucking has developed this list of national and larger regional trucking shows and events.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
LIne graph showing spot rates and driver availability over time
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJune 22, 2026

Truckload Rates Keep Rising as Tight Capacity Fuels Freight Market Recovery

Spot and contract rates continued climbing in May and June, not because freight demand is surging, but because fewer trucks and drivers are available.

Read More →
Geotab screen on AI concept background
Fleet ManagementJune 17, 2026

What Geotab's New AI Connector Means for Fleets

Fleets can now ask their usual AI assistants questions about maintenance, safety, fuel use, and vehicle performance, using their live Geotab data, and take action on the answers without leaving their preferred AI tool.

Read More →
Image of computer screen with BidBoardX interface

New C.H. Robinson Tool Opens Door to More Predictable Freight

BidBoardX lets carriers search, bid on, and secure committed freight opportunities through a single digital marketplace.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Amazon electric cargo bike on New York City street
Fleet ManagementJune 15, 2026

New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results

Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.

Read More →
Illustration of hourglass and trucks backed up to a dock
DriversJune 15, 2026

Why Truck Detention Keeps Costing Fleets Time and Money

A 2024 ATRI study found detention affects nearly 40% of truckload stops and costs the industry more than $15 billion annually. Despite the toll on drivers, fleets, and supply chains, the problem remains stubbornly persistent.

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

Time is Running Out to Apply for Exclusive HDT Event

Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange brings fleet managers and suppliers together for the deeper conversations that lead to ideas, partnerships, and solutions. Time is running out to apply for the September event.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Empty trailer with worker loading a pallet of cargo
Fleet ManagementJune 10, 2026

Amazon Launches Less-Than-Truckload Freight Offering for All Businesses   

This launch is the latest addition to Amazon Supply Chain Services, a portfolio of supply chain capabilities from Amazon, including freight, distribution, fulfillment, and parcel shipping.

Read More →