USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Site Notification

Site Notification

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Table 7. Shipment Characteristics by Commodity Group and Mode of Transportation for Metropolitan Area of Origin: 2007

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Table 7. Shipment Characteristics by Commodity Group and Mode of Transportation for Metropolitan Area of Origin: 2007

Estimates are based on data from the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey. Because of rounding, estimates may not be additive.

Excel | CSV

All Commodities5

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 271,664 100 161,595 100 32,083 100 635 3.1 - 10.8 - 6.8 - 6.2
Single modes 206,365 76 150,448 93.1 27,891 86.9 289 4.4 1.7 11.7 2.1 6.7 2.2 11.9
Truck6 196,626 72.4 148,177 91.7 26,627 83 248 5.1 2.2 11.4 2 6 2.2 12.6
For-hire truck 109,887 40.4 47,127 29.2 19,776 61.6 654 9.1 2.9 9.7 3.3 7.1 3.3 8
Private truck 86,739 31.9 101,050 62.5 6,852 21.4 68 8 2.9 15 3.5 11.9 1.9 8.5
Rail 646 0.2 2,134 1.3 1,067 3.3 827 22.6 - 40.2 0.4 45.9 1.4 11.8
Air (incl truck and air) 9,094 3.3 S S S S 1,216 17.9 0.7 S S S S 2.7
Multiple modes 61,116 22.5 4,126 2.6 3,061 9.5 885 6.4 1.7 14.7 0.4 13.6 0.9 3.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 59,085 21.7 1,495 0.9 1,117 3.5 887 6.6 1.7 11.5 0.2 18.8 0.6 3.5
Truck and rail 1,923 0.7 2,599 1.6 1,839 5.7 S 19.8 0.2 23.2 0.3 18.4 0.8 S
Truck and water 109 - S S S S S 41.2 - S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 4,182 1.5 7,021 4.3 S S 100 17 0.2 32 1.8 S S 42.4

SCTG2 01-05, Agriculture products and fish

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 7,337 100 7,085 100 1,687 100 161 25.3 - 21.8 - 22.6 - 21.1
Single modes 7,081 96.5 6,901 97.4 1,610 95.4 166 26 2 22.1 1.8 23.1 3 17.8
Truck6 6,890 93.9 6,616 93.4 1,422 84.3 163 27 4 21.1 2.9 23.3 5.3 16.5
For-hire truck 2,979 40.6 2,168 30.6 966 57.3 573 27.6 6 27.4 6.7 25.6 6.3 12.1
Private truck 3,911 53.3 4,448 62.8 456 27 85 31 6.4 25.6 6.6 25.9 5.9 19.9
Rail 191 2.6 S S S S 556 25.2 5.2 S S S S 48.3
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S 2 - - - S S S 30.6 - 28.5 0.1 S
Truck and rail S S 68 1 S S S S S 49 1 S S S
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S 12 S S S S S S 23.1

SCTG2 06-09, Grains, alcohol, and tobacco products

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 16,159 100 12,809 100 3,689 100 190 22.3 - 22.2 - 19.1 - 35.5
Single modes 15,347 95 12,547 98 3,455 93.7 S 23.1 1.6 22.9 1.8 20.8 2.9 S
Truck6 15,340 94.9 12,541 97.9 3,448 93.5 S 23.1 1.6 22.9 1.8 20.9 2.9 S
For-hire truck 6,194 38.3 5,462 42.6 2,606 70.6 594 34.9 5.5 30 4.9 22.4 4.9 8.2
Private truck 9,146 56.6 7,079 55.3 842 22.8 44 20.1 5.7 19.9 5.6 21.1 4.6 28
Rail S S 6 - 7 0.2 1,368 S S 41.3 0.2 32.5 0.9 7.2
Air (incl truck and air) S S - - S S S S S 9.4 - S S S
Multiple modes 747 4.6 171 1.3 203 5.5 722 44.9 1.4 31.9 0.8 41.5 2.6 12.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S 43 0.3 S S 719 S S 41.6 0.3 S S 15.2
Truck and rail 181 1.1 127 1 183 5 1,407 35.7 0.9 31.3 0.9 39.3 3.4 12.5
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

SCTG2 10-14, Stones, nonmetallic minerals, and metallic ores

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 630 100 22,570 100 1,453 100 125 30.8 - 34.2 - 38.8 - 40.9
Single modes 536 85.1 17,123 75.9 1,321 90.9 S 36 7.7 47.5 10.3 43.9 6.6 S
Truck6 529 84 16,421 72.8 1,090 75 S 36.3 8.2 48.6 10.2 41.8 7.3 S
For-hire truck S S S S 487 33.5 278 S S S S 49.2 12 42.7
Private truck 171 27.1 S S S S 42 37.9 14.3 S S S S 15.9
Rail 7 1.1 S S S S S 26.8 11.1 S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 11 1.7 5,320 23.6 S S S 15.4 4.2 26.3 17.8 S S S

SCTG2 15-19, Coal and petroleum products

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 25,627 100 34,839 100 2,986 100 S 25 - 23.8 - 31.9 - S
Single modes 25,573 99.8 34,736 99.7 2,836 95 S 25 0.3 23.9 0.3 34.2 5.7 S
Truck6 25,573 99.8 34,736 99.7 2,836 95 S 25 0.3 23.9 0.3 34.2 5.7 S
For-hire truck 5,427 21.2 6,065 17.4 646 21.6 S 41.5 9 40.3 9.2 45 10.5 S
Private truck 20,145 78.6 28,671 82.3 2,190 73.3 53 30 9.2 27.4 9.2 37.2 11 29.9
Air (incl truck and air) S S - - S S 1,003 S S 46.5 - S S 27.2
Multiple modes S S S S 1 - 595 S S S S 46.1 0.1 19.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S 1 - 595 S S S S 46.1 0.1 19.9
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

SCTG2 20-24, Basic chemicals, chemical, and pharmaceutical products

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 39,855 100 8,393 100 4,301 100 528 14.5 - 12.5 - 17 - 10.4
Single modes 26,766 67.2 7,695 91.7 3,879 90.2 268 16.5 3.7 13.7 2.1 18.8 3.8 20.4
Truck6 26,059 65.4 7,538 89.8 3,664 85.2 246 16.7 3.6 13.3 2 18.1 3.8 21.1
For-hire truck 17,449 43.8 4,334 51.6 3,319 77.1 592 18.7 5.6 18.4 6.6 18.5 4.3 9.5
Private truck 8,609 21.6 3,204 38.2 346 8 98 25.6 3.5 22.2 5.6 27.1 1.5 18.8
Rail S S S S S S 1,406 S S S S S S 6.5
Air (incl truck and air) 570 1.4 S S S S 1,592 44.5 1.2 S S S S 15.8
Multiple modes 12,725 31.9 539 6.4 331 7.7 663 17.6 3.7 32.2 2.2 31.6 3.9 7.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 12,483 31.3 309 3.7 149 3.5 663 17.8 3.6 23.2 1 28.5 1 7.1
Truck and rail 242 0.6 S S S S 1,031 32.8 0.3 S S S S 20.4
Other and unknown modes 365 0.9 159 1.9 92 2.1 S 21.2 0.2 27.4 0.9 47.4 1.4 S

SCTG2 25-30, Logs, wood products, and textile and leather

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 18,625 100 8,999 100 2,526 100 773 5.7 - 12 - 10.1 - 5.1
Single modes 13,492 72.4 8,444 93.8 2,219 87.8 470 6.3 3.5 12.9 1.3 11.6 3.2 15.2
Truck6 13,034 70 8,416 93.5 2,198 87 323 6.4 3.9 13 1.4 11.7 3.3 15.2
For-hire truck 7,359 39.5 4,419 49.1 1,879 74.4 664 7.3 1.9 11.9 3.6 11.6 2.7 13.5
Private truck 5,675 30.5 3,997 44.4 319 12.6 80 13.7 4.3 19.6 4.3 22.6 2.4 18.4
Rail 18 0.1 S S S S 1,703 6.1 0.4 S S S S 48.4
Air (incl truck and air) 440 2.4 6 0.1 S S 1,182 36 0.8 46.3 - S S 8.9
Multiple modes 4,767 25.6 261 2.9 214 8.5 900 17.7 3.7 19.7 1.3 17.7 2 3.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 4,738 25.4 246 2.7 187 7.4 900 17.7 3.6 19 1.2 15.7 2 3.9
Truck and rail S S S S S S 1,658 S S S S S S 1.6
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 367 2 294 3.3 S S 216 20.9 0.4 30.1 1 S S 32.4

SCTG2 31-34, Base metal and machinery

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 39,482 100 49,200 100 7,119 100 513 11.2 - 21.3 - 21.9 - 10.7
Single modes 30,329 76.8 47,261 96.1 6,203 87.1 252 8.7 4.1 21.3 1.4 19.3 2.5 12.5
Truck6 29,380 74.4 46,205 93.9 5,647 79.3 242 9.3 4.4 21.4 1.4 19 3.9 13
For-hire truck 18,275 46.3 13,424 27.3 4,386 61.6 659 9.3 4 20.8 3.8 20.3 3.5 10.1
Private truck 11,105 28.1 32,782 66.6 1,261 17.7 54 14.7 2.9 23.7 4.5 20.1 3.2 12.5
Rail 214 0.5 1,038 2.1 S S 1,150 29.5 0.2 39.6 1.1 S S 18.7
Air (incl truck and air) 735 1.9 S S S S 937 43.6 0.8 S S S S 7.8
Multiple modes 8,045 20.4 1,459 3 862 12.1 872 34.3 4.3 42.5 1.3 46.7 2.5 6.7
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 7,427 18.8 139 0.3 90 1.3 872 37 4.3 21.5 0.2 21.7 0.5 6.8
Truck and rail 560 1.4 1,312 2.7 S S 779 46.9 0.7 47.3 1.5 S S 29.1
Truck and water 59 0.2 S S S S S 41.8 0.1 S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 1,107 2.8 480 1 54 0.8 112 26.6 0.7 44.3 0.3 23.7 0.3 25

SCTG2 35-38, Electronic, motorized vehicles, and precision instruments

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 67,120 100 4,827 100 2,307 100 700 11 - 27.9 - 19.2 - 7.7
Single modes 45,120 67.2 4,389 90.9 1,991 86.3 452 11.9 2.5 30.9 3.5 22.1 4.6 16
Truck6 37,977 56.6 4,361 90.4 1,958 84.9 365 15.3 3.5 31.1 3.6 22.4 4.7 16.6
For-hire truck 30,043 44.8 2,252 46.7 1,838 79.7 725 20.3 5 23 8.3 23.9 5.1 11
Private truck 7,934 11.8 S S 120 5.2 38 12.2 2.2 S S 34.6 2.9 21.7
Rail 56 0.1 12 0.2 11 0.5 753 32.6 0.2 42.1 0.7 44.6 1.2 13.8
Air (incl truck and air) 7,088 10.6 15 0.3 22 1 1,210 19.4 2.7 13.9 0.2 21.4 0.5 4.5
Multiple modes 20,356 30.3 327 6.8 286 12.4 892 11.5 2.5 24.1 3.1 25.1 4.6 4.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 20,099 29.9 242 5 178 7.7 892 11.7 2.3 21.1 2.7 13.6 2.9 4.8
Truck and rail 257 0.4 S S S S 1,553 39.3 0.6 S S S S 26
Truck and water S S S S S S 649 S S S S S S 22.4
Other and unknown modes 1,643 2.4 111 2.3 S S S 39.6 0.8 40.7 1 S S S

SCTG2 39-43, Furniture, mixed freight and misc. manufactured products

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 56,785 100 12,858 100 6,013 100 857 6 - 5.2 - 16.7 - 9.8
Single modes 42,084 74.1 11,338 88.2 4,376 72.8 421 3.8 4.3 5.1 3.9 11.9 6.4 12
Truck6 41,808 73.6 11,327 88.1 4,362 72.5 398 3.9 4.3 5.1 3.9 12 6.4 13.3
For-hire truck 21,775 38.3 5,385 41.9 3,647 60.7 887 9.3 4.1 7.5 4.2 14.9 6.3 7.4
Private truck 20,033 35.3 5,942 46.2 715 11.9 109 13.3 5.1 9.9 3.7 9.5 4.9 14.3
Rail S S 5 - S S S S S 10.1 0.2 S S S
Air (incl truck and air) 260 0.5 6 - 9 0.1 1,325 22 0.1 23.3 - 33.8 0.1 22.9
Multiple modes 14,206 25 1,168 9.1 1,070 17.8 1,020 26.6 4.3 33.6 2.5 33.3 3.3 6.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 13,662 24.1 511 4 492 8.2 1,028 27.4 4.3 33.2 1.1 41.1 1.9 6.4
Truck and rail 497 0.9 634 4.9 500 8.3 S 20.6 0.2 36.9 1.9 38.6 3 S
Truck and water S S S S S S 5,182 S S S S S S 37.7
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

SCTG2 99, Commodity Unknown

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes S S 14 100 S S S S S 49.2 - S S S
Single modes S S 14 98.6 S S S S S 45.7 0.7 S S S
Truck6 S S 14 98.6 S S S S S 45.7 0.7 S S S
For-hire truck S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Private truck S S S S S S 17 S S S S S S 49.8
Multiple modes S S S S S S 1,495 S S S S S S 43.3
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 1,495 S S S S S S 43.3
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

KEY: S = Estimate does not meet publication standards because of high sampling variability or poor response quality. - = Zero or Less than half the unit shown; thus, it has been rounded to zero.

1 Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) geographic areas were drawn from a subset of Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) and Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MeSAs) as defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). However, CFS metropolitan areas are divided into their state parts when they include more than one state. In addition, the CFS also utilizes a unique geography referred to as, "remainder of state," to represent those areas of a state not contained within a separately published metropolitan area for the CFS (as opposed to not part of any Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) as defined by OMB). Because of the differences in the CFS geography, as compared to OMB defined geography, caution should be exercised when comparing CFS estimates to other estimates of similar geography.
2 Standard Classification of Transported Goods.
3 Ton-miles estimates are based on estimated distances traveled along a modeled transportation network.
4 Coefficient of Variation.
5 Estimates exclude shipments of crude petroleum (SCTG 16).
6 "Truck" as a single mode includes any shipment that was made by private truck only, by for-hire truck only, or by a combination of private and for-hire truck.
7 Estimates for pipeline exclude shipments of crude petroleum.

NOTES: Value-of-shipment estimates are reported in current prices. Estimated measures of sampling variability for each estimate known as coefficients of variation (CV) are also provided in these tables. More information on sampling error, confidentiality protection, nonsampling error, sample design, and definitions may be found at http://www.bts.gov/publications/commodity_flow_survey/.
Rows are not shown if all cells for that particular row have no value. For example, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX by Base metal and machinery (31-34) by Water has no data for any shipment characteristic therefore the entire row is not shown. Also, entire commodity groups are not present if there is no such data for that commodity group by area. For example, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (DC part) by Coal and petroleum products (15-19) has no data for any mode therefore the entire commodity group is not shown.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Bureau of Transportation Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 Economic Census: Transportation Commodity Flow Survey, December 2009.