Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Trucks Drive Cross-Border Freight, Hitting Record High Level

The amount of freight moved between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners of Canada and Mexico increased in October compared to the same time a year ago, hitting the highest level on record.

by Staff
January 8, 2015
Trucks Drive Cross-Border Freight, Hitting Record High Level

Percent change in value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows by mode, Oct. 2013 - Oct. 2014. Graphic: U.S. DOT

2 min to read


Percent change in value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows by mode, Oct. 2013 - Oct. 2014. Graphic: U.S. DOT

The amount of freight moved between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners of Canada and Mexico increased in October compared to the same time a year ago, hitting the highest level on record.

New U.S. Transportation Department figures show it totaled $108.2 billion, 4.9% higher than during the same month in 2013, and is also 4.9% higher during the first 10 months of 2014 than during the same time period the previous year.

Ad Loading...

The value of commodities moving by truck grew by the largest percentage of any mode, 7.2%. Airfreight increased 4.9% followed by rail at 2.4%. Pipeline and vessel shipments declined 1.2% and 7.6%, respectively.

Of the overall $5.1 billion increase in the value of U.S.-NAFTA freight from October 2013, truck freight contributed the most, $4.4 billion, followed by rail at $400 million.

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, according to the report, with trucks accounting for $33.8 billion of exports and $32.3 billion of imports.

Rail remained the second largest mode, moving 15.1% of all U.S.-NAFTA freight, followed by vessel at 7.7%, pipeline at 7.3% and air at 3.8% The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83.5% of the total U.S.-NAFTA freight flows during October.

U.S.-Canada Freight

Ad Loading...

Year-over-year, the change in the value of U.S.-Canada freight moved by truck increased the most of any mode during October, growing 4.7%. Freight moved by air increased 1.7% and rail by 0.7%. Freight moved by pipeline decreased 2.6% and vessel fell 14.7%, mainly due to lower mineral fuel prices.

Trucks carried 54.8% of the $58.6 billion of freight to and from Canada, followed by rail at 16.1%, pipeline at 12.8%, vessel at 4.9% and air at 4.5% The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83.7% of the total U.S.-Canada freight flows.

U.S.-Mexico Freight

The value of U.S.-Mexico pipeline freight rose 33.2% year-over-year during October, the largest percentage increase of any mode, due to an increase in U.S. exports of mineral fuels. Freight moved by air increased 11.1%, truck gained 9.6% and rail added 4.9%. Freight moved by vessel decreased 3.3%.

Trucks carried 68.5% of the $49.7 billion of freight to and from Mexico during October, followed by rail at 13.9%, vessel at 10.9%, air at 3% and pipeline at 0.8%. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83.2% of the total U.S.-Mexico freight flows.

 

More Fleet Management

2026 Mack Anthem rolls off the assembly line
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 3, 2026

Mack Financial Services Launches Physical Damage Insurance For All Makes

Mack Financial Services has introduced the Rolling Asset Program, offering physical damage insurance for all makes and models within a customer's fleet.

Read More →
Illustration of phishing email with trucks in background
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 3, 2026

New Phishing Scheme Targets Motor Carriers, FMCSA Warns

Beware of a new phishing scheme targeting motor carriers. Scammers are sending emails posing as FMCSA or DOT officials to steal data.

Read More →
Daimler-Class8 partnership.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 2, 2026

DTNA Partners with Class8 to Expand Digital Services for Freightliner Owner-Operators

A new partnership brings free wireless ELD service plus load optimization and dispatch planning tools to fourth- and fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia customers, with broader model availability planned through 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Reducing Fleet Downtime with Advanced Diagnostics

This white paper examines how advanced commercial vehicle diagnostics can significantly reduce fleet downtime as heavy duty vehicles become more complex. It shows how Autel’s CV diagnostic tools enable in-house troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and faster repairs, helping fleets cut emissions-related downtime, reduce dealer dependence, and improve overall vehicle uptime and operating costs.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
M&A illustration with Werner and FirstFleet logos
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

Werner Expands Dedicated Fleet Nearly 50% With FirstFleet Acquisition

The $283 million acquisition of FirstFleet makes Werner the fifth-largest dedicated carrier and pushes more than half of its revenue into contract freight.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Bobit Business Media B2X Rewards.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards Engagement Program

B2X Rewards is a new, gamified rewards program aimed at driving deeper engagement across BBM’s digital platforms, newsletters, events, and TheFleetSource.com.

Read More →
Trucking Trends series graphic
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

AI is Reshaping Trucking in 2026, from the Back Office to the Shop

Trucking’s biggest technology shifts in 2026 have one thing in common: artificial intelligence.

Read More →
Column graphic illustration with Deborah Lockridge head shot and a small fleet truck in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 27, 2026

Why Small Trucking Fleets Are Still Standing [Commentary]

Why discipline, relationships, and focus have mattered more than size for smaller trucking fleets during the freight recession.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 23, 2026

Cargo Theft Is Surging. A Bill in Congress Could Help. [Video]

Cargo theft losses hit $725 million last year. In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Take video, Scott Cornell explains how a bill moving in Congress could bring federal tracking, enforcement, and prosecutions to help address the problem.

Read More →