US-to-Canada truck crossings hit pre-COVID level

Holiday week performance at border matches 2019 as freight recovery continues.

Truck traffic at the U.S.-Canada border has trended higher since April. (Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Truck crossings from the U.S. to Canada reached a pre-COVID-19 level last week, suggesting that the cross-border freight recovery didn’t miss a beat during two national holidays and the implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on trade.

About 87,500 truck drivers entered Canada from the U.S. during the week ending Sunday, data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) released Tuesday shows. An almost identical number crossed during the comparable week in 2019.

It also marks the first time since March that weekly truck crossings matched their seasonal norms. Canadian truckload freight volumes also reached their highest level of the year on June 30, according to the Outbound Tender Volume Index for Canada on FreightWaves’ SONAR platform.

Canadian truckload freight volumes have trended higher since mid-April, according to the Outbound Tender Volume Index-Canada (OTVI.CAN) on FreighWaves’ SONAR platform.

Border traffic and freight volumes have trended higher in Canada since April. Before the holiday week, U.S.-to-Canada truck crossings hit within about 10% of their seasonal norm.

Last week’s border tally reflected the slowdown associated with the Canada Day and Independence Day holidays on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively. It dropped 18% from the previous week, a shallower drop than in 2019.

It also came as the USMCA took effect last Wednesday. USMCA isn’t expected to radically change U.S.-Canada trade flows.

The recovery in border crossings and freight volumes also continued while the U.S.-Canada border remains closed for nonessential travel because of COVID-19. 

Click for more FreightWaves articles by Nate Tabak.

Trucker denied knowing about $20M in marijuana in border bust

Under USMCA, Canada rolls with ‘new NAFTA’

TFI scoops up flatbed carrier CT Transportation from bankrupt Comcar

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now