WASHINGTON — U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 23.3 percent (to $637 billion) from 2008 to 2009, the largest year-over-year decrease for the 15 years covered by the data.

According to the DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the value of land trade among the three NAFTA countries was down 31.1 percent in the first six months of 2009.

In the second half of the year, the value fell 14.9 percent. However, there was a 10.5 percent gain December from December 2008.

U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade landed at $386 billion in 2009, down a whopping 28.1 percent compared to 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 25.7 percent lower in 2009 than 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 20.2 percent lower.

Land transportation trade between the U.S. and Mexico faired better. It was down 251 billion in 2009, 14.4 percent lower than the year before.

Comparing 2009 to 2008, total North American surface transportation imports were down 26.5 percent, while exports dropped 19.2 percent during the same period.