Trucking Only Mode to See Monthly Hike in NAFTA Freight
Trucks carried more U.S. freight by value between North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico in April 2016 compared to the same time a year ago, but declines in all other freight modes led to a 3.2% drop in the total current dollar value of cross-border freight.

Percent change in value of U.S.-Mexico freight flows by mode: April 2015-April 2016. Graphic: U.S. DOT

Percent change in value of U.S.-Mexico freight flows by mode: April 2015-April 2016.Graphic: U.S. DOT
Trucks carried more U.S. freight by value with its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico in April 2016 compared to the same time a year ago, but declines in all other freight modes led to a 3.2% decrease in the total current dollar value of cross-border freight to $90.4 billion.
That’s according to new figures released on June 23 by the Transportation Department. April was the 16th consecutive month that the value of U.S.-NAFTA Freight declined from the same month of the previous year.
The value of commodities moving by truck increased 0.8%, as the value of freight carried on other modes declined. Rail dropped 3.4%, air 10.4%, vessel 26.4% and pipeline 30.5%. A drop in the price of crude oil played a key role in the fall in the dollar value of products shipped by vessel and pipeline, according to the department.
Trucks carried 66.8% of U.S.-NAFTA freight and continued to be the most heavily utilized mode for moving goods to and from both U.S.-NAFTA partners. Trucks accounted for $31.4 billion of the $47.6 billion of imports, or 65.9%, and $29 billion of the $42.8 billion of exports, or 67.8%. Rail remained the second largest mode by value, moving 15.6% of all U.S.-NAFTA freight.
Canada Freight Falls, Mexico Nearly Unchanged
From April 2015 to April 2016, the value of U.S.-Canada freight flows fell 6% to $45.9 billion, as all modes of transportation carried a lower value of U.S.-Canada freight than a year earlier, due in large part to double-digit drops in crude oil movements.
For the month, the top commodity category transported between the U.S. and Canada by all modes was vehicles and parts, of which 54.6% moved by truck. Trucks carried 60.8% of the value of the freight to and from Canada while rail carried the second most of any mode, 17%.
In April compared to a year earlier, the value of U.S.-Mexico freight fell 0.1% to $44.5 billion, as all modes of transportation except truck carried a lower value of U.S.-Mexico freight than a year earlier. Freight carried by truck increased 2.8%, primarily because of an increase in shipments of machinery, computers, and parts.
Trucks carried 73% of the value of freight to and from Mexico as rail carried the second most of any mode, 14.1%
More Fleet Management

FMCSA Pauses Biennial-Update Enforcement Amid Motus Transition
Carriers whose updates were due on or after June 1 have more time, while FMCSA works to stabilize its new registration system and warns of phishing sites impersonating its new carrier registration system, Motus.
Read More →
2026 Blueprint for Countering Smarter Supply Chain Theft
Cargo theft is no longer just the cost of doing business. It's a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise exploiting vulnerabilities across your fleet, drivers, and supply chain.
Read More →
How Telematics Improves Visibility, Control, and Performance in Refrigerated Fleets
Explore how telematics help refrigerated fleets improve visibility, uptime, efficiency, compliance, and cargo protection across connected cold chain operations.
Read More →
What the U.S.-Canada Trade War Means for Trucking
Escalating U.S.-Canada tariffs could disrupt cross-border freight, reduce truck volumes, raise costs, and create new uncertainty for carriers on both sides of the border.
Read More →
What Are Trucking’s Top Concerns for 2026?
The American Transportation Research Institute wants to know what's worrying trucking fleet managers, drivers, and other stakeholders in its annual Industry Issues survey.
Read More →
American Trucking Associations Looks for a New Leader
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear abruptly left his job at the association on August 21, at a pivotal time for the trucking industry.
Read More →
Public Wi-Fi Cybersecurity Risks: How Truck Drivers and Fleets Can Protect Their Data
Public Wi-Fi can expose truck drivers and fleets to credential theft, malware, and other cyber threats. Here’s how to reduce the risk on the road.
Read More →
For Nicky Cupp, Fleet Innovation Starts With Frustration
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Nicky Cupp turns everyday pain points at Fraley & Schilling into opportunities for better technology and smarter processes.
Read More →
Adam Buttgenbach’s Approach to Electric Trucks: Start With Where They Fit
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Adam Buttgenbach helped PepsiCo build one of North America’s largest EV fleets by focusing on where electric trucks make operational sense.
Read More →
Deen Albert: Let Automation Do the Math, People Make the Decisions
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Deen Albert makes sure people are still at the heart of operations at Grand Island Express, even while adopting artificial intelligence tools. AI-assisted dispatch helped boost revenue 25% with the same number of trucks.
Read More →

