While this data indicates the largest year-on-year rise on record, it should be noted that the total volume of surface trade is still down approximately 1.2 percent from levels reported in 2008.
BTS further reported that the value of US surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 17.6 percent in March 2010 from February 2010. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In March, 86.9 percent of US trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.
US-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $42.1 billion in March, up 35.6 percent compared to March 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 19.4 percent higher in March 2010 compared to March 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 30.4 percent higher during this period.
US-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $27.8 billion in March, up 39.1 percent compared to March 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 39.0 percent higher in March 2010 than March 2009 while the value of exports carried by truck was 31.6 percent higher.