In October, NAFTA land transportation trade was down 15.5 percent from October 2008, slipping to $61.4 billion
, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The value of U.S. land transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in October was up 7.2 percent from September 2009. 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. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in October was up 7.9 percent compared to October 2004, and up 34.7 percent from October 1999. October imports from Canada and Mexico to the U.S. gained 31.9 percent from October 1999, while exports were up 38.1 percent.

Trade between the U.S. and Canada was down 19 percent from the year ago month, settling at $36.3 billion. The value of imports carried by truck was 15.8 percent lower in October 2009 compared to October 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 9.5 percent lower during this period.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $25.1 billion in October, down 10 percent from October 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 4.2 percent lower in October 2009 than October 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 13.5 percent lower.