US-Canada cross-border freight drops to $53.7 billion in November, down 13.1%

November cross-border flows: hard numbers and modal context

U.S.–Canada freight totaled $53.7 billion in November, a 13.1% decline year-over-year. At the same time, combined U.S. transborder freight with Canada and Mexico came in at $124.8 billion, down 4.7% from November 2024. Trucks accounted for $83.7 billion of that movement, registering a modest 1.4% increase versus the prior year.

What the figures mean on the ground

Those numbers tell a mixed story: overall cross-border value is slipping driven mainly by the Canada corridor, while trucked freight as a mode remains resilient. In practice that translates into busier trucking lanes at certain gateways even as total trade value migrates downward—think more frequent short-haul truck rotations but fewer high-value container shipments.

Top truck gateways and directional trends

On the northern border, the top truck ports by U.S. freight flows were Detroit, Port Huron, Mich., и Buffalo, N.Y. For the southern corridor with Mexico, the busiest truck gateways were Laredo, El Paso, и Otay Mesa, Calif.

Why ports matter

Ports and truck gateways act as pressure valves: when containerized or rail shipments slow, trucking often picks up the slack for regional distribution. If you’ve ever waited in line at a border crossing, you know how a single delay can ripple down the supply chain. One freight dispatcher I know jokes that border waits are like surprise traffic jams—you never plan for them, but you always pay for them.

Truck-rail freight TSI: small upward tick

The truck-rail freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 0.2% in December from November and also gained 0.2% year-over-year. The uptick was driven by gains in rail intermodal и trucking, even as rail carload volumes slipped.

Index scope and a technical note

The TSI cited here covers only domestic for-hire rail and truck transportation. It explicitly excludes private trucking, courier services, and the U.S. Postal Service, so the index understates total movement where private fleets or parcel volume dominate. BTS also revised November’s truck-rail freight TSI slightly downward from 134.9 to 134.8.

Operational implications for carriers and shippers

• Short-term tactical shifts: Expect carriers to reallocate capacity toward high-frequency truck lanes across the northern border while idling or rerouting longer-distance container shipments.
• Inventory planning: Importers who rely on Canadian suppliers may delay bulk buys or move to smaller, more frequent shipments to reduce working capital tied up in inventory.
• Cost pressures: Border processing delays and modal shifts can increase dwelling and detention fees—small leaks that add up on a long invoice.

What shippers should watch next

Keep an eye on port congestion metrics, dwell times at Detroit and Buffalo, and rail carload reports for the next two months. Those signals will indicate whether the November decline is a short-term correction or the start of a softer trade pattern with Canada.

Practical suggestions for logistics teams

• Prioritize visibility: increase tracking on high-value shipments and set up alerts for border hold-ups.
• Diversify gateways: evaluate secondary crossings to avoid routine congestion at main ports.
• Review modal mixes: consider intermodal options where rail intermodal gains can offset truck costs.
• Negotiate flexible terms: carve out contingency clauses with carriers to manage volatility in detention and demurrage.

Quick stats snapshot

Highlights: the most interesting takeaway is that truck volumes held up even as total cross-border value slipped—so the logistics picture is nuanced. The numbers are important, but nothing beats riding the route yourself to see how goods actually flow. Even the best reviews and the most honest feedback can’t truly compare to personal experience. On GetTransport.com, you can order your cargo transportation at the best prices globally at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. Readers benefit from the platform’s transparency, convenience, and extensive choices—ideal for office or home moves, furniture and vehicle transport, bulky shipments, and routine freight dispatches. For your next cargo transportation, consider the convenience and reliability of GetTransport.com. Book your Ride GetTransport.com.com

In summary, the November dip in U.S.–Canada freight to $53.7 billion shows a measurable softening in cross-border trade value, while trucking’s resilience and a small rise in the truck-rail freight TSI point to modal shifts rather than a collapse. For carriers, shippers, and logistics planners this means focusing on visibility, gateway diversification, and flexible modal strategies. Whether you’re moving pallets, a container, or planning a bulky housemove, aligning dispatch, haulage, and forwarding decisions with current border dynamics will reduce surprises. Platforms like GetTransport.com simplify that process by offering reliable, affordable international transport and shipping options—covering courier-like parcels to heavy, bulky loads—so you can organize freight, delivery and relocation without fuss. The market may wobble, but good planning and the right partners keep the supply chain moving reliably.