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3/17/2026
The dollar value of commodities moved by rail across the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada declined 9.2% to $184.5 billion in 2025 compared to 2024, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
In 2025, U.S. freight flows with Canada and Mexico transported by all transportation modes equaled $1.6 trillion, a 1% decrease from 2024. Freight moved by all modes between the U.S. and Canada was $712.8 billion in 2025, down 6.4% from 2024; freight between the U.S. and Mexico was $872.8 billion in 2025, up 3.9% from 2024, according to a BTS press release.
Surface transportation (truck, rail and pipeline) serves as the foundation of North American commerce, facilitating over 80% of all freight by value, BTS officials said. Trucking remains the leader, carrying 55.7% of trade with Canada and 73.6% with Mexico. While rail remains vital across both borders, Canada’s modal profile is uniquely bolstered by pipeline shipments, they said.
Last year, mineral fuels moved via pipeline ranked as the second-largest mode for U.S.-Canada trade at 13.4%, narrowly outpacing rail’s 12.6% share. Meanwhile, rail accounted for a consistent 10.9% of freight value with Mexico, according to BTS.
Detroit, Port Huron and International Falls are the top rail connection ports for U.S. freight flows with Canada, while Laredo, Eagle Pass and El Paso are the top rail connection ports with Mexico.