Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Trucking Adds to 10.2% Gain in U.S.-NAFTA Freight Movements

U.S.-NAFTA freight totaled $103 billion in June as all five major transportation modes carried more cargo by value than during June 2013, according to new U.S. Transportation Department figures.

by Staff
August 28, 2014
Trucking Adds to 10.2% Gain in U.S.-NAFTA Freight Movements

Percent change in value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows by mode:  June 2013 - June 2014. Credit: U.S. DOT

2 min to read


Percent change in value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows by mode:  June 2013 - June 2014.

U.S. DOT

U.S.-NAFTA freight totaled $103 billion in June as all five major transportation modes carried more cargo by value than during June 2013, according to new U.S. Transportation Department figures.

Of the 10.2% increase, the biggest gain so far this year, truck freight contributed the most, $4.4 billion, followed by pipeline, $2.1 billion.

Ad Loading...

The trucking increase was predominately due to an increase in the value of U.S.-Mexico truck freight, which was 64.8% of the total trucking increase, according to the department.

Trucks carry three-fifths of U.S.-NAFTA freight and are the most heavily utilized mode for moving goods to and from both U.S.-NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico. They carried 59.5% of U.S.-NAFTA freight in June 2014, accounting for $29.8 billion of imports and $31.4 billion of exports.  

Rail remained the second largest mode, moving 15% of all U.S.-NAFTA freight, followed by vessel at 8.9%, pipeline at 8%, and air at 3.8%. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 82.4% of the total U.S.-NAFTA freight flows.

Ad Loading...

U.S.-Canada Freight

During June the value of U.S.-Canada freight by pipeline increased the most of any mode, compared to the same time a year earlier, growing 35.1% Freight by vessel increased by 24.7%, air by 9.5%, truck by 5.3% and rail by 1.4%.

Trucks carried 53.7% of the $57.9 billion of freight to and from Canada, followed by rail at 15.5%, pipeline at 13.3%, vessel at 6.2% and air at 4.5%. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 82.5% of the total U.S.-Canada freight flows.

The top commodity category transported between the U.S. and Canada was mineral fuels, of which, 59.8% moved by pipeline.

U.S.-Mexico Freight

Ad Loading...

The value of U.S.-Mexico freight by pipeline increased the most of any mode in June compared to the same time in 2013, growing 36.9%, due to an increase in mineral fuels exports, although pipeline remained the smallest of the major modes. Freight with Mexico by vessel rose 16.1%, followed by truck at 10.6%, rail at 9.2% and air at 1.2% 

Trucks carried 66.9% of the $45.1 billion of freight to and from Mexico, followed by rail at 14.3%, vessel at 12.3%, air at 2.9% and pipeline at 1.1%. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 82.2% of the total U.S.-Mexico freight flows.

The top commodity category transported between the U.S. and Mexico in June was electrical machinery, of which, 91.5% moved by trucks.

More Fleet Management

ATA economist Bob Costello speaking beside a graph showing truckload operating costs rising as freight revenue per mile declined after 2022.
Fleet Management•by Deborah Lockridge•October 22, 2026

Why This Trucking Recovery Is Different

Freight demand remains sluggish, but rising costs and tougher enforcement have taken enough capacity out of the market to change the outlook for motor carriers.

Read More →
PS Coach tablet interface showing a driver’s coaching inbox, safety event video and coaching advice for a harsh-braking event.
Fleet Management•by News/Media Release•October 21, 2026

Platform Science Adds Dispatch and Safety Tools

Four additions to PS Fleet help fleets monitor loads, manage driver coaching, share truck locations and adjust video system settings.

Read More →
Screen capture showing PrePass Intelligence data on tolls
Fleet Management•by News/Media Release•October 21, 2026

PrePass Intelligence Mines Fleet Bypass, Toll and Safety Data

PrePass Intelligence helps fleets measure bypass savings, flag potential toll overcharges, and spot suspicious transactions by combining data from separate systems.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Computer screen showing examples of what fleets could ask Motive AI Agents to do
Fleet Management•by Staff•October 20, 2026

Motive Adds AI Agents for Fleet Operations

New tools automate follow-up on fleet data, from maintenance work orders to driver alerts, with two-way voice conversations planned for later this year.

Read More →
Graphic art with a heavy-duty tractor trailer and a work truck with the words "trivia lunch"
Fleet Management•by Lauren Fletcher•October 19, 2026

Can You Beat Our Trucking Trivia Challenge?

Test your truck knowledge with 19 trivia questions from Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange. Can you keep up with the fleet pros?

Read More →
Four horizontal and two vertical video screens show different aspects of BeyondTruck's new compatibility engine
Fleet Management•by Deborah Lockridge•October 19, 2026

BeyondTrucks Adds Rules Checks to Dispatch

New Compatibility Engine checks driver qualifications, equipment requirements and fleet policies before loads are dispatched.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Gloved hand fueling a truck beside a graphic listing ATRI’s top three trucking concerns for 2026: fuel prices, lawsuit abuse reform and CSA.
Fleet Management•by Deborah Lockridge•October 19, 2026

Diesel Prices Hijack Trucking’s Worry List

ATRI’s annual survey finds cautious optimism about freight, but diesel costs, litigation, and insurance continue to squeeze fleets. Drivers have different priorities on several issues.

Read More →
Illustration showing ladders against a blue background with Heavy Duty Trucking Emerging Leaders logo and the words "2026 nominations now open"
Fleet Management•by Staff•October 16, 2026

Nomination Deadline Extended for HDT Emerging Leaders

Just a few more days to nominate accomplished trucking fleet professionals under 40 who are making an impact and helping lead the industry forward for the HDT Emerging Leaders award. Deadline extended to October 20!

Read More →
Headshot of Mark Colson in front of a truck grille next to an American Trucking Associations logo
Fleet Management•by Deborah Lockridge•October 15, 2026

What Will ATA’s New Leader Bring to Trucking's Table?

Incoming President and CEO Mark Colson’s record in Alabama offers clues about his priorities and approach following Chris Spear’s abrupt departure as the head of the American Trucking Associations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Waabi-Volvo autonomous VNL truck.
Fleet Management•by News/Media Release•October 13, 2026

Volvo, Waabi Start Commercial Autonomous Operations in Texas

Volvo VNL Autonomous trucks, powered by the Waabi Driver, are hauling freight directly to third-party facilities for a customer in Texas.

Read More →