Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Trucks Move More U.S.-NAFTA Freight, Overall Level Declines

Freight movements between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico fell in February, hitting its lowest level in terms of value since 2011, according to new U.S. Transportation Department figures.

by Staff
April 23, 2015
Trucks Move More U.S.-NAFTA Freight, Overall Level Declines

Percent change in value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows by mode: February 2014 - February 2015. Graphic: U.S. DOT

3 min to read


Percent change in value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows by mode: February 2014 - February 2015. Graphic: U.S. DOT

Freight movements between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico fell in February, hitting its lowest level in terms of value since 2011, according to new U.S. Transportation Department figures.

The 4.3% decline compares to the same time a year earlier, totaling $85.7 billion, but two out of five transportation modes, air and truck, carried more freight than in February 2014.

Ad Loading...

The value of commodities moving by air grew by the largest percentage of any mode, 4.5%. Truck freight increased by 0.9%. Rail freight decreased by 6.2%. Pipeline freight fell by 22.8% and vessel freight declined by 29%, mainly due to the lower unit price of mineral fuel shipments.

Trucks carried 63.1% of the freight moved between the North American Free Trade Agreement partners and was the most heavily utilized mode for moving goods to and from Canada and Mexico. Trucks accounted for $26.9 billion of the $45.7 billion of imports, or 58.9%, and $27.2 billion of the $40 billion of exports, or 67.9%.

Rail remained the second largest mode, moving 14.4% of all U.S.-NAFTA freight, followed by vessel, 7.1%; pipeline, 6.1%; and air, 3.8%. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83.7% of the total U.S.-NAFTA freight flows.

Ad Loading...

U.S.-Canada Freight Flows

U.S.-Canada freight totaled $45.1 billion in February while air was the only one out of five transportation modes that carried more U.S.-Canada freight than in February 2014, increasing 3%.

Truck freight decreased by 2.9% and rail fell by 13.3%. Pipeline freight declined by 22.8% and vessel was 26.5% lower.

Trucks carried 57.2% of the $45.1 billion of freight to and from Canada, followed by rail, 14.6%; pipeline, 11%; vessel, 4.9% and air, 4.7%. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 82.9% of the total U.S.-Canada freight flows.

The top commodity category transported between the U.S. and Canada was mineral fuels, of which $4.9 billion, or 58.2%, moved by pipeline.

Ad Loading...

U.S.-Mexico Freight Movements

U.S.-Mexico freight totaled $40.6 billion in February 2015 as three out of five transportation modes; air, truck, and rail; carried more U.S.-Mexico freight than in February 2014. Year-over-year, the value of U.S.-Mexico air freight rose 7.4%, the largest percentage increase of any mode. Freight carried by truck increased by 4.7% and rail freight increased by 3.3%. Pipeline freight decreased by 23.1% and vessel freight decreased by 30.4%

Trucks carried 69.6% of the $40.6 billion of freight to and from Mexico, followed by rail, 14.2%; vessel, 9.5%; air, 2.9%; and pipeline, 0.7%. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 84.5% of the total U.S.-Mexico freight flows.

The top commodity category transported between the U.S. and Mexico in February 2015 was vehicles, of which $3.6 billion, or 49.3%, moved by truck.


More Fleet Management

Geotab screen on AI concept background
Fleet ManagementJune 17, 2026

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 →
Image of computer screen with BidBoardX interface

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 →
Amazon electric cargo bike on New York City street
Fleet ManagementJune 15, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of hourglass and trucks backed up to a dock
DriversJune 15, 2026

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 →
Panel discussion
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJune 12, 2026

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 →
Empty trailer with worker loading a pallet of cargo
Fleet ManagementJune 10, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
Stacks of intermodal containers at port with truck driving between them

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 →
Equity Interest Auction
SponsoredJune 8, 2026

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 OTA updates.

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 →
Ad Loading...
Podcast thumbnail illustration
Fleet ManagementJune 4, 2026

How Waste Connections is Using Data, Telematics, and AI

How do you manage and maintain more than 18,000 connected trucks? Data. Lots of it.

Read More →