News · Rules & filings
Truck Freight Across the Border Up 29.8%; Laredo Leads
Truck freight across the border hit $109 billion in August 2026, up 29.8%. Laredo was the top port with $37.7 billion. What it means for owner-operators.
Questions about how this affects your trucks? Talk to a licensed agent who ran his own authority.
What happened
Truck freight across the border grew fast this summer. In August 2026, trucks hauled $109 billion in goods across the US borders with Mexico and Canada. That is 29.8% more than in August 2025.
The numbers come from the BTS (the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, part of the US Department of Transportation). BTS released them on October 21. The Trucker reported them on October 22.
Trucks did most of the work. They carried about 68% of all freight that crossed the borders by any mode. Total cross-border freight was $160.6 billion, up 22.6%.
Mexico was the big driver. Truck freight with Mexico reached $73.9 billion. Truck freight with Canada was $35.2 billion.
Laredo, Texas was again the number one port in the country. It handled $37.7 billion in goods in August. Ysleta, in the El Paso area, had $15.8 billion. Detroit had $13.9 billion.
The top products were computer machinery and parts, vehicles, and electrical machinery.
What it means for owner-operators
More freight at the border means more loads. If you run Laredo, El Paso or the Rio Grande Valley, this is your market growing.
It also means busier bridges. World Trade Bridge and Colombia Solidarity are the cargo bridges in Laredo. More trucks can mean longer lines at peak hours.
Busy lanes also bring new carriers and new brokers. Some are good. Some are not. Your paperwork is what proves you are legal and ready.
This is national news too. Freight that crosses at Laredo ends up on I-35, I-10 and highways across the country. Carriers far from Texas haul these loads after they cross.
What to do next
- Keep your file current. Your USDOT, MC, UCR, IFTA and IRP must be active before you take border loads. Our filing guide shows each step.
- Check the broker. Before you book, make sure the broker is real and has authority. Read how to check a freight broker.
- Plan your crossing time. CBP posts live wait times for the Laredo cargo bridges at bwt.cbp.gov. Look before you head to the bridge.
- Watch your hours. Long bridge lines eat your clock. Build extra time into border runs.
Want help getting your authority ready for border freight? Call TCZ Permits at 956-526-6727.
Original report
Written by TCZ Permits in our own words. Read the original for the full story.