Trade using surface transportation between the United States and Canada and Mexico was 2.9 percent lower in November 2009 than in November 2008, dropping to $58.9 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

BTS reported the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with its North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico fell 4 percent in November 2009 from October 2009. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $35 billion in November, down 7.2 percent from November 2008. U.S.–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $23.9 billion in November, up 4.4 percent from November 2008.   

Truck trade between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico in November dropped 5.7 percent from October. Truck transportation imports rose 2.6 percent year-over-year in November, while exports fell 0.5 percent, BTS said.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline.  About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.