U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #412: February 20, 2006
Freight Activity by Mode Share: U.S. Compared to Other Countries

The United States and Canada move a greater share of freight by rail than any of the other countries listed. The European countries move the majority of freight over the road, while Japan moves the majority of freight by water. The 1996 data were the latest available for comparison.

Share of Total Domestic Freight Activity by Transportation Mode: 1996
Graph showing share of total domestic freight activity by transportation mode, 1996 data.

Supporting Information

Share of Total Domestic Freight Activity by Transportation Mode: 1996
Mode Canada France Germany Italy Japan United Kingdom United States
Rail 50.5% 20.7% 19.6% 8.7% 3.1% 6.3% 36.3%
Air 0.14% 0.08% 0.01% 0.11% 0.09% 0.01% 0.29%
Water 9.2% 5.2% 17.6% 13% 58% 23.6% 20.5%
Oil pipeline 23.9% 9% 4.1% 4.7% NA 5.5% 16.6%
Road 16.3% 65% 58.6% 73.5% 38.1% 64.7% 26.4%

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Freight Facts and Figures, 2005, November 2005.

 

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