Land transportation trade between the U.S. and its NAFTA partners was up 37.6 percent in June from the year-ago month and up 4.6 percent from May

, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Surface transportation trade reached $69.9 billion in June, which was still 5.8 percent below the June 2008 level.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In June, 86.6 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 June was up 17.5 percent compared to June 2005, and up 38 percent compared to June 2000, a period of 10 years. Imports in June increased 33.7 percent compared to June 2000, while exports were up 43.4 percent.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $42 billion in June, up 35.5 percent compared to June 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 35.8 percent higher in June 2010 compared to June 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 34.2 percent higher during this period.

U.S. land transportation trade with Mexico accounted for $27.8 billion in June, a gain of 41 percent from June 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 37.9 percent higher in June 2010 than June 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 34.5 percent higher.