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.

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.
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
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

Truckload Rates Keep Rising as Tight Capacity Fuels Freight Market Recovery
Spot and contract rates continued climbing in May and June, not because freight demand is surging, but because fewer trucks and drivers are available.
Read More →
What Geotab's New AI Connector Means for Fleets
Fleets can now ask their usual AI assistants questions about maintenance, safety, fuel use, and vehicle performance, using their live Geotab data, and take action on the answers without leaving their preferred AI tool.
Read More →
New C.H. Robinson Tool Opens Door to More Predictable Freight
BidBoardX lets carriers search, bid on, and secure committed freight opportunities through a single digital marketplace.
Read More →
New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results
Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.
Read More →
Why Truck Detention Keeps Costing Fleets Time and Money
A 2024 ATRI study found detention affects nearly 40% of truckload stops and costs the industry more than $15 billion annually. Despite the toll on drivers, fleets, and supply chains, the problem remains stubbornly persistent.
Read More →
Time is Running Out to Apply for Exclusive HDT Event
Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange brings fleet managers and suppliers together for the deeper conversations that lead to ideas, partnerships, and solutions. Time is running out to apply for the September event.
Read More →
Amazon Launches Less-Than-Truckload Freight Offering for All Businesses
This launch is the latest addition to Amazon Supply Chain Services, a portfolio of supply chain capabilities from Amazon, including freight, distribution, fulfillment, and parcel shipping.
Read More →
Import Cargo Volume to See Year-Over-Year Gain Again in June, Then Remain Below 2025 Levels Into Fall
After July, the report predicts a weakening in import volume as consumer uncertainty remains high and the impact of increasing inflation takes its toll.
Read More →
AUCTION OF EQUITY INTEREST IN HEAVY HAUL TRUCKING COMPANY!!
Mark your calendar: June 30, 2026 (10:00 a.m. PDT). A 37.5% ownership interest in MagnaTrans, LLC, a California limited liability company doing business as Magna Transportation Group, will be sold in an in-person and online auction to the highest bidder or bidders under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. The Rancho Cucamonga-based heavy haul and over-dimensional trucking company operates across California, Oregon, and Arizona.
Read More →
Volvo Trucks Adds Unattended Over-the-Air Software Update Capabilities
The latest evolution of Volvo’s over-the-air update technology allows software updates to run while trucks are parked, helping fleets keep vehicles current without disrupting operations.
Read More →

