Trucks Hauled Majority of $1.57 Trillion In Trade Across Borders In 2023
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released data on May 21st revealing that the movement of goods across the borders of the United States, Canada, and Mexico reached a value of $1.57 trillion in 2023.
Trucks were the dominant mode of transport, handling a staggering $996.4 billion worth of freight.
Daily North American Trade Flow
The BTS estimates that roughly $3 billion worth of goods crosses the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders every single day. Beyond oil, energy products, cars, and electronics, the U.S. enjoys a strong agricultural trade partnership with both Canada and Mexico.
Top Commodities and Trade Routes
The U.S. exported a significant volume of computers and parts, vehicles and parts, and electrical machinery to both its northern and southern neighbors.
For truck traffic, Detroit, Buffalo, and Port Huron serve as the top gateways to Canada, while Laredo, El Paso, and Otay Mesa handle the most significant volumes of goods heading south to Mexico.
Key Takeaways from the BTS Report:
- Trucks: $996.4 billion (up 5.1%)
- Rail: $209.2 billion (down 0.5%)
- Vessels: $126.3 billion (down 9.0%)
- Pipelines: $112.6 billion (down 24.5%)
- Air: $57.1 billion (down 1.2%)