Trucks carried 58 percent of the freight measured by value between the U.S., Canada and Mexico in 2008, accounting for $554 billion, beating out rail, maritime, pipeline and air
, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, released the data Monday as part of the fifth annual update of the North American Transportation Statistics (NATS) online database.

According to the data, the number of trucks entering the U.S. in 2008 was 10.8 million, including 5.89 million from Canada and 4.87 million from Mexico.

In general, more than $964 billion worth of goods crossed the U.S. border in trade with Canada and Mexico last year, up 6.1 percent from 2007. U.S. merchandise trade with Canada and Mexico, its two largest trading partners, rose by more than $335 billion or by 53.2 percent in the five years between 2003 and 2008.

To access the NATS online database, click here.