North American transborder freight rises in March as U.S.-Mexico trade growth offsets Canada decline

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North American freight rises March

Highlights

Total transborder freight between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico reached $149.5 billion in March 2026, rising 3.2% year-over-year per Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
U.S.-Mexico freight increased 8.6% to $84.0 billion while U.S.-Canada freight fell 2.9% to $65.5 billion, underscoring divergent regional trade trends.
Truck freight rose 4.7% to $98.6 billion, remaining dominant, while air freight jumped 33.7% and rail freight declined 10.2% in March 2026.

March freight data and modal shifts

As reported by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, total transborder freight between the U.S. and its North American partners Canada and Mexico reaches $149.5 billion in March 2026, up 3.2% from March 2025. The agency says the monthly release tracks the value of U.S. imports and exports by transportation mode, commodity and geography, and is used for infrastructure planning, trade corridor analysis and logistics research.

Freight between the U.S. and Canada totals $65.5 billion, down 2.9% from a year earlier, while freight between the U.S. and Mexico climbs to $84.0 billion, up 8.6%. Trucks remain the dominant mode, moving $98.6 billion of freight, a 4.7% increase from March 2025.

Other modes show a mixed picture. Railways move $16.5 billion, down 10.2%, while vessels carry $9.5 billion, up 3.8%, pipelines transport $9.4 billion, up 3.6%, and air freight rises to $8.0 billion, a 33.7% increase from a year earlier.

Border corridors and regional trade significance

Among truck gateways, Detroit, Port Huron and Buffalo are the leading U.S. ports for freight flows with Canada, while Laredo, El Paso and Otay Mesa lead truck traffic with Mexico. For rail connections, the top Canadian gateways are Detroit, Port Huron and International Falls, while Laredo, Eagle Pass and El Paso lead rail freight flows with Mexico.

Pipeline connections also underscore the importance of specific energy corridors. Chicago, Port Huron and Minneapolis are the top pipeline connection regions for U.S. energy freight flows with Canada, while El Paso, Hidalgo and Laredo are the top pipeline connection regions with Mexico.

The March figures point to continued strength in U.S.-Mexico freight demand and the central role of truck transport in North American supply chains. They also highlight uneven performance across trading partners and modes, with Canada-linked freight and rail traffic weakening even as broader regional trade activity increases.

In our earlier article on Enbridge (ENB), we looked at how the company’s Q1 2024 revenue beat and reaffirmed multi-year guidance through 2026 supported a generally positive outlook despite short-term technical caution. We also noted that ongoing developments around key pipeline assets, including Line 5 legal risks, remained an important overhang for sentiment as ENB traded near key support and resistance levels.

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