Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico rose 12.3 percent in August 2005 from August 2004 to a total of $60.2 billion, the highest monthly level ever recorded, and trucks carried the lion’s share of that freight.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, which is a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, total North American surface transportation trade rose 21.1 percent in August compared with July. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

Trucks carried 64 percent of imports and 80 percent of exports by value.

The previous monthly high was $59.4 billion in March 2005. Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 90 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.

According to the report, total North American surface transportation trade value in August was up 28.8 percent compared to August 2002, and up 89.8 percent compared to August 1995, a period of 10 years. Imports in August were up 103.6 percent compared to August 1995, while exports were up 74 percent.