Mexico Surges Ahead: Inbound U.S. Truck Crossings Hit New Highs in 2024

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) has released its latest data on U.S. truck border crossings, highlighting a continued divergence between freight flows from Mexico and Canada. The 2024 figures show a 2.8% year-over-year (y/y) increase in truck crossings from Mexico, while crossings from Canada eased slightly by 0.5% y/y.

Key Takeaways:

• Mexico's Inbound Truck Crossings Grew 2.8% in 2024
  • Laredo, Texas, accounted for 51% of all truck crossings from Mexico, reinforcing its dominance in U.S.-Mexico trade.
  • Otay Mesa, California, was a distant second, handling just under 18% of Mexico-originating crossings.
• Canadian Crossings Declined by 0.5% y/y
  • Detroit remained the top U.S.-Canada crossing point, handling over 36% of Canadian truck traffic, despite a 10.5% decline y/y.
  • Port Huron, Michigan, saw a 17% increase, reaching near parity with Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York, where crossings edged up just 0.7% y/y.

Understanding the Trends in Cross-Border Freight

Truck crossings from Mexico have been on a steady upward trajectory since 2004, except for the 2008-2009 Great Recession. The latest data confirms that this trend remains intact, reflecting Mexico’s growing role in U.S. supply chains.

Meanwhile, Canadian truck crossings have remained relatively stable since the post-recession recovery, with regional shifts influencing key entry points.

What It Means for Freight and Supply Chains

With cross-border freight patterns evolving, shippers and logistics providers should:

• Monitor regional crossing trends to optimize routes and reduce congestion-related delays.
• Assess the impact of trade policies and tariffs that could influence freight volumes.
• Consider infrastructure investments near major crossings that may improve efficiency and reliability.

As supply chains adjust to economic and trade shifts, cross-border freight data remains a valuable tool for decision-making and long-term planning. Understanding these trends will help companies navigate market changes and maintain resilience in their logistics strategies.