WASHINGTON, D.C. – Freight moved by truck totaled $66.1 billion in October 2014 – up 7.2 percent from October 2013’s $61.8 billion (all figures in US dollars).

The latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) show that trucking accounted for the biggest increase in U.S.-NAFTA freight among the four modes of transportation tracked.

Air freight increased 4.9 percent, followed by rail at 2.4 percent, according to the TransBorder Freight Data released today.

Ocean-going vessels and pipelines were down 7.6% and 1.2% respectively.

U.S.-NAFTA freight totaled US$108.2 billion in October 2014, up from US$103.1 billion in October 2013. In fact, October 2014 was the highest month on record for the value of U.S.-NAFTA trade flows, not adjusted for inflation.

Of the $5.1 billion increase in the value of U.S.-NAFTA freight, truck freight contributed the most, with $4.4 billion, followed by rail, with $0.4 billion.

Furthermore, trucks carried 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. Trucks accounted for $33.8 billion of exports and $32.3 billion of imports.

Rail remained the second largest mode, moving 15.1 percent of all U.S.-NAFTA freight, followed by vessel (7.7%); pipeline (7.3%); and air (3.8%).

The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83.5 percent of the total U.S.-NAFTA freight flows.

Trade with Canada

Year-over-year, the percent change in the value of U.S.-Canada freight moved by truck increased the most of any mode, growing 4.7 percent. Freight moved by air increased 1.7 percent and rail by 0.7 percent. Freight moved by pipeline decreased 2.6 percent and vessel decreased 14.7 percent, mainly due to lower mineral fuel prices.

Trucks carried 54.8 percent of the $58.6 billion of freight to and from Canada, followed by rail, 16.1 percent; pipeline, 12.8 percent; vessel, 4.9 percent and air, 4.5 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83.7 percent of the total U.S.-Canada freight flows.

Trade with Mexico

Year-over-year, the value of U.S.-Mexico pipeline freight rose 33.2 percent, 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 percent; truck, 9.6 percent; and rail 4.9 percent. Freight moved by vessel decreased 3.3 percent.

Trucks carried 68.5 percent of the $49.7 billion of freight to and from Mexico, followed by rail, 13.9 percent; vessel, 10.9 percent; air, 3.0 percent; and pipeline, 0.8 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83.2 percent of the total U.S.-Mexico freight flows.