Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 25.3 percent higher in August 2010 than in August 2009,
reaching $68 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

However, the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in August 2010 remained 5.9 percent below the August 2008 level despite the 2009-2010 increase.

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 10.9 percent in August from July. 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 August, 86.3 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $39.9 billion in August, up 21.1 percent compared to August 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 23.2 percent higher in August 2010 compared to August 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 19.8 percent higher during this period.

U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $28.1 billion in August, up 31.7 percent compared to August 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 29.1 percent higher in August 2010 than August 2009 while the value of exports carried by truck was 30.6 percent higher.

Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in August with $10.2 billion. This is the first time in the 15-year history of the TransBorder Freight Data that a state has exceeded $10 billion of surface trade with Mexico.