What happened
The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported on Aug. 19 that $157.1 billion in freight moved between the United States, Canada and Mexico in June 2026, up 19.9% from June 2025. Trucks carried $104.4 billion of that total—$68.5 billion across the U.S.–Mexico border and $35.9 billion across the U.S.–Canada border. The value of truck freight was 23% higher than a year earlier.
What drivers should do
Drivers and small carriers should read the number carefully: BTS measures the dollar value of goods, not the number of loads, truckload spot rates or carrier profit. Before pursuing a cross-border lane, compare the all-in rate with loaded miles, deadhead, border waiting time, fuel, tolls and insurance. Confirm that operating authority, cargo coverage, customs paperwork and the carrier’s border process fit the shipment before dispatch.
Why this matters to our community
For Uzbek-speaking drivers and CDL students, stronger cross-border trade can signal where freight activity is concentrated, but each job still has its own qualification and documentation rules. Ask an employer whether the route crosses an international border, who prepares customs documents, how border delays are paid and what identification is required. Useful English terms include customs broker, bill of lading, manifest, port of entry, border crossing, cargo value and detention.