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.

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 410,343 100 450,997 100 81,285 100 325 8.7 - 6.9 - 11.9 - 16.6
Single modes 357,180 87 403,003 89.4 65,084 80.1 128 8.3 1.1 6.6 1.6 12 2.6 8.8
Truck6 198,194 48.3 176,374 39.1 25,032 30.8 118 9.2 2.7 11.5 4.4 5.4 3.2 9.6
For-hire truck 116,698 28.4 84,592 18.8 20,217 24.9 337 13.3 1.8 19 2.8 7.8 3.1 8.7
Private truck 81,496 19.9 91,782 20.4 4,814 5.9 42 14.6 3 21.1 4.6 19.9 1.4 7.7
Rail 48,737 11.9 55,304 12.3 35,672 43.9 838 20.5 1.7 22.8 2 20.3 4.3 5.3
Water 20,564 5 40,128 8.9 1,192 1.5 S 27 1.3 29.6 2.9 30.3 0.4 S
Shallow draft 19,837 4.8 39,459 8.7 803 1 S 26 1.4 28.5 3.1 37.5 0.3 S
Deep draft S S S S 389 0.5 2,606 S S S S 43.9 0.2 37
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,200 S S S S S S 11
Pipeline7 85,249 20.8 131,140 29.1 S S S 14.1 2.9 13.4 3.7 S S S
Multiple modes 44,475 10.8 42,036 9.3 15,489 19.1 718 14 1 21.3 1.7 19.6 2.7 9.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 18,029 4.4 434 0.1 223 0.3 715 12.6 0.7 14.6 - 20.9 0.1 10
Truck and rail 7,017 1.7 7,964 1.8 6,691 8.2 1,061 13.7 0.2 19.6 0.3 14.7 1.5 13.7
Truck and water 3,684 0.9 5,957 1.3 1,410 1.7 2,208 28.3 0.3 35.4 0.5 35.1 0.8 35.4
Rail and water 3,230 0.8 5,720 1.3 1,528 1.9 2,931 28.4 0.3 34.6 0.5 34.2 0.7 32.3
Other multiple modes 12,516 3.1 21,960 4.9 S S 196 37.3 0.7 27.6 1.2 S S 33.2
Other and unknown modes 8,688 2.1 5,958 1.3 712 0.9 44 18.5 0.3 38.1 0.4 42.4 0.2 25

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 9,088 100 S S 1,311 100 53 18.2 - S S 43.3 - 36.9
Single modes 8,654 95.2 S S 648 49.4 52 18.2 2.4 S S 28.6 15.5 31.8
Truck6 6,298 69.3 S S 554 42.3 52 10.6 10.3 S S 32.3 16.3 31.9
For-hire truck 493 5.4 S S 327 24.9 S 38.9 2.5 S S 45.7 11.4 S
Private truck 5,804 63.9 2,490 13.2 227 17.3 45 11.1 10.4 20.3 17.1 35.6 14 22
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Water S S S S S S 18 S S S S S S 12.9
Shallow draft S S S S S S 18 S S S S S S 12.9
Multiple modes S S S S S S 770 S S S S S S 48.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other multiple modes 425 4.7 S S S S 426 38.6 12.8 S S S S 6.6
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

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 12,057 100 10,551 100 2,435 100 107 8.4 - 15.7 - 11.3 - 20.4
Single modes 11,727 97.3 10,293 97.6 2,174 89.3 85 8.3 0.9 15.8 1.1 12.2 3.4 27.7
Truck6 11,718 97.2 10,283 97.5 2,108 86.6 83 8.3 0.8 15.8 1.1 12.2 3.3 27.8
For-hire truck 4,200 34.8 3,959 37.5 1,718 70.5 S 22 7 22.9 7.8 15.9 6.4 S
Private truck 7,518 62.4 6,324 59.9 390 16 52 12.4 7.1 21 8 39 5.6 14.9
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Water S S S S S S 7,468 S S S S S S 1.2
Deep draft S S S S S S 7,468 S S S S S S 1.2
Multiple modes 280 2.3 185 1.8 237 9.7 S 43.4 0.9 34.9 0.9 27.3 3.2 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 128 1.1 155 1.5 233 9.5 1,743 18.9 0.8 31.5 1.3 17 3.7 6.8
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes S S 73 0.7 25 1 S S S 49 0.7 48.2 0.7 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 1,475 100 S S 900 100 S 26.9 - S S 39.3 - S
Single modes 1,442 97.8 S S 863 95.9 S 27.4 9.7 S S 41.5 10.2 S
Truck6 1,286 87.2 S S 831 92.4 S 29.8 10.7 S S 42.5 10.6 S
For-hire truck 788 53.4 S S S S S 41.6 12.8 S S S S S
Private truck 499 33.8 S S S S S 43.1 13.9 S S S S S
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S 1,041 S S S S S S 4.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 1,041 S S S S S S 4.7
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S 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 117,957 100 197,770 100 12,823 100 S 7.8 - 8.6 - 15.5 - S
Single modes 109,106 92.5 176,564 89.3 11,116 86.7 S 8.1 2 9 2.9 16.4 2.1 S
Truck6 17,420 14.8 21,543 10.9 2,928 22.8 S 15.7 3.8 17.6 3.3 34.7 7.2 S
For-hire truck 7,670 6.5 9,087 4.6 2,371 18.5 404 14.6 1.5 10.8 0.8 40.9 6.6 25.4
Private truck 9,750 8.3 12,457 6.3 557 4.3 34 26.1 3.3 27.2 2.8 32.8 2.7 12.1
Rail 4,595 3.9 9,805 5 4,811 37.5 808 25.8 0.9 27.5 1.3 37.2 8.9 18.6
Water 14,592 12.4 29,923 15.1 S S S 34.3 4.3 35.2 5 S S S
Shallow draft 14,351 12.2 29,449 14.9 S S 9 35.5 4.4 36.3 5.2 S S 16.3
Deep draft S S S S 44 0.3 676 S S S S 33.9 1 28.4
Pipeline7 72,499 61.5 115,292 58.3 S S S 12.1 4.6 11.4 4.4 S S S
Multiple modes 8,701 7.4 18,432 9.3 1,646 12.8 526 28.9 2.1 34 2.7 19.2 2.1 32.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 866 S S S S S S 33.8
Truck and rail S S S S 188 1.5 S S S S S 43.9 2.1 S
Truck and water 1,902 1.6 3,984 2 425 3.3 S 33.2 1.4 44.6 1.9 36.3 2.7 S
Rail and water 1,990 1.7 4,434 2.2 509 4 S 34.3 0.8 40.2 1.2 37.1 1.9 S
Other multiple modes 3,442 2.9 8,046 4.1 523 4.1 49 37.8 1.3 38.2 1.6 36.7 2.3 36.6
Other and unknown modes 150 0.1 S S S S S 48.1 0.1 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 119,306 100 99,762 100 51,647 100 413 17.1 - 21.9 - 15.8 - 23.7
Single modes 98,527 82.6 78,860 79 39,907 77.3 188 16.3 2.7 20.4 3.6 16.8 3.4 28.3
Truck6 38,657 32.4 25,930 26 8,634 16.7 158 8.7 4.3 7.7 3.9 9 2.9 31.9
For-hire truck 28,294 23.7 18,259 18.3 8,077 15.6 445 11 3.3 8.8 3.1 8.6 2.7 17.6
Private truck 10,363 8.7 7,670 7.7 557 1.1 39 14.3 1.8 17 1.9 27 0.4 20.5
Rail 42,212 35.4 34,535 34.6 30,574 59.2 877 23.1 2.6 23.9 2 20.7 3.6 4.2
Water 4,750 4 6,838 6.9 S S S 35.4 1.4 48.7 2.7 S S S
Shallow draft 4,449 3.7 6,733 6.7 278 0.5 S 34 1.4 48.1 2.9 45 0.5 S
Deep draft S S S S S S 3,572 S S S S S S 28.8
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,045 S S S S S S 14
Pipeline7 12,746 10.7 S S S S S 38 3.9 S S S S S
Multiple modes 19,133 16 19,997 20 11,525 22.3 719 29.1 2.7 34.6 3.7 20.3 3.5 17.3
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 3,125 2.6 104 0.1 S S 714 41.8 1.4 47.6 - S S 17.9
Truck and rail 5,044 4.2 4,967 5 5,590 10.8 1,237 19.8 0.9 18.1 1.7 17.3 2.6 7.3
Truck and water S S S S S S 2,497 S S S S S S 39
Rail and water 1,239 1 1,286 1.3 1,019 2 3,924 28.4 1.2 42.3 1.5 30.4 1.7 39.7
Other multiple modes S S 12,203 12.2 S S S S S 46.3 2.8 S S S
Other and unknown modes 1,646 1.4 905 0.9 215 0.4 S 29 0.4 43.5 0.4 43 0.1 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 6,132 100 5,185 100 750 100 358 13.5 - 20 - 25.8 - 16.2
Single modes 4,851 79.1 4,608 88.9 571 76.1 116 14.2 3.7 19.9 4.2 23.7 7.2 21.9
Truck6 4,737 77.3 4,513 87.1 542 72.2 115 13.1 3.4 19.1 4.4 22.4 7.5 21.8
For-hire truck 2,253 36.7 2,054 39.6 385 51.3 374 16.7 4.7 29.2 6.8 26.8 9.5 14.1
Private truck 2,485 40.5 2,460 47.4 157 20.9 41 15.3 4.6 23.8 6.2 48.9 7.1 29.4
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Shallow draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Deep draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 840 S S S S S S 30.2
Multiple modes 911 14.9 S S S S 667 32.4 2.8 S S S S 17.7
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 812 13.2 39 0.8 14 1.9 666 38.6 3.3 25.9 0.6 27.6 2 18
Truck and rail S S S S 72 9.6 S S S S S 50 7.6 S
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 370 6 S S 8 1.1 S 47.1 2.4 S S 40.8 0.5 S

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 62,729 100 55,779 100 6,859 100 245 8.8 - 20.5 - 10 - 14
Single modes 52,259 83.3 53,721 96.3 6,350 92.6 138 8.4 2.4 20.4 0.9 10.9 2.8 14.1
Truck6 51,805 82.6 53,526 96 6,268 91.4 134 8.5 2.6 20.6 1.6 11.4 2.8 14.5
For-hire truck 36,782 58.6 13,302 23.8 4,616 67.3 362 11.4 2.6 15.5 8 15.1 7.3 10.7
Private truck 15,023 23.9 40,224 72.1 1,652 24.1 37 6.9 3.4 28.5 8.2 31.5 6.6 15.8
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Shallow draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S 6 - S S 1,292 S S 45.2 - S S 33.4
Multiple modes 6,243 10 S S 441 6.4 547 16.4 1.3 S S 38 2.7 11.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 5,501 8.8 113 0.2 60 0.9 545 17.1 1.2 14.6 0.1 20.3 0.2 11.3
Truck and rail 299 0.5 S S 194 2.8 1,420 34.6 0.2 S S 45.9 1.2 15.7
Truck and water S S S S S S 761 S S S S S S 45.7
Other multiple modes S S S S 29 0.4 S S S S S 9.9 1.6 S
Other and unknown modes 4,227 6.7 1,034 1.9 68 1 82 28.3 1.6 36 0.7 38.9 0.3 28.4

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 55,434 100 5,291 100 1,478 100 270 30.8 - 38 - 38.8 - 23.1
Single modes 47,511 85.7 4,729 89.4 1,226 83 118 36.8 6.9 36.8 1.8 34.2 3.5 49.7
Truck6 43,558 78.6 4,711 89 1,216 82.3 S 39.4 6.5 37 1.7 34.5 3.2 S
For-hire truck 28,795 51.9 2,422 45.8 948 64.1 421 44.8 6.3 43 10.3 35.5 6.8 15.8
Private truck S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,259 S S S S S S 19.9
Multiple modes 6,310 11.4 92 1.7 47 3.2 526 28.4 5.6 22.9 1.8 25.8 2.4 12.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 6,305 11.4 92 1.7 47 3.2 526 28.5 5.6 23.1 1.7 25.8 2.4 12.4
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 1,613 2.9 S S S S S 38.9 2 S S 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 26,154 100 21,302 100 3,081 100 550 19.1 - 28.4 - 18.7 - 20.1
Single modes 23,093 88.3 20,489 96.2 2,228 72.3 130 22.1 3.6 29.3 2 16.9 5.7 30.2
Truck6 22,705 86.8 20,154 94.6 1,950 63.3 125 22.7 3.8 29.9 3.5 19.3 8.2 29.6
For-hire truck 7,416 28.4 11,385 53.4 1,179 38.2 261 13.4 5.4 33.5 6.9 25.4 8 34.6
Private truck 15,289 58.5 8,769 41.2 771 25 65 34.5 7.6 36.7 6.8 32 5.4 16.7
Rail 62 0.2 251 1.2 146 4.7 605 38.6 0.3 41.7 4.9 46.2 5 28.3
Water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Deep draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) 151 0.6 3 - S S 1,418 29.8 0.4 39.2 - S S 9.3
Multiple modes 2,440 9.3 515 2.4 750 24.3 1,055 28 3.7 35.2 1.8 34 6.1 12.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 2,105 8 79 0.4 S S 1,052 25.4 2.8 35.4 0.4 S S 13.1
Truck and rail 101 0.4 299 1.4 402 13 1,361 35.5 1.1 25.9 4.7 27.3 14.7 9.9
Truck and water S S 48 0.2 S S S S S 25.5 2.4 S S S
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 621 2.4 S S S S S 37 1.4 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 S S S S S S S S S S S S
Single modes 10 95.7 2 99.6 - 95.9 77 34.4 3.2 13.6 0.3 40.9 3.9 45.1
Truck6 10 95.7 2 99.6 - 95.9 77 34.4 3.2 13.6 0.3 40.9 3.9 45.1
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 S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S 1,387 S S S S S S 46.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 1,387 S S S S S S 46.5

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.