WASHINGTON — Surface transportation trade between the three NAFTA nations jumped 24.1 percent in February from a year ago — the highest gain on record, according to the DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

In particular, U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade was $36.3 billion in February, up 21.7 percent from the year-ago month.

The value of imports carried by truck was 6.4 percent higher in February 2010 compared to last year, while the value of exports carried by truck was 23.5 percent higher.

Still, the increase to $59.5 billion in trade among Canada, the U.S. and Mexico was 14.3 percent below the level two years earlier, in February 2008.

The upturn, though, was the third straight following December’s 10.5 percent rise — the first year-over-year gain since September 2008 — and a 19.5 percent improvement in January.