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 30,337 100 22,762 100 5,281 100 832 13.9 - 12.9 - 12.6 - 10.9
Single modes 23,210 76.5 20,420 89.7 4,562 86.4 380 17.8 4 11.3 2.7 11.6 2.1 10
Truck6 22,721 74.9 19,536 85.8 3,854 73 288 18.5 4.4 11.8 2.6 10.1 5 10.7
For-hire truck 16,464 54.3 8,802 38.7 2,929 55.5 682 24.2 5.6 19.5 4.5 10.1 5.3 11
Private truck 6,257 20.6 10,734 47.2 925 17.5 68 11.7 2.6 14.8 5.1 19.9 3 7.9
Rail 45 0.1 874 3.8 688 13 829 33.1 0.1 29.8 2.9 29.9 5.5 23.4
Air (incl truck and air) 443 1.5 11 - 19 0.4 1,693 24.8 0.6 37.1 - 47.6 0.1 6.5
Multiple modes 6,413 21.1 392 1.7 670 12.7 1,159 21.1 4.3 20.6 0.4 28 1.9 9.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 6,244 20.6 188 0.8 201 3.8 1,156 21.7 4.2 18.2 0.2 32 0.9 9.5
Truck and rail 28 0.1 123 0.5 224 4.2 1,373 33.1 0.1 36.2 0.2 30.3 1.2 21.5
Truck and water 136 0.4 35 0.2 96 1.8 2,767 46.3 0.3 27.5 - 27.9 0.5 2
Rail and water 3 - 46 0.2 148 2.8 3,240 39.3 - 39.4 1.2 38.9 7.5 0.6
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes S S S S 49 0.9 S S S S S 39.6 0.3 S

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 717 100 1,234 100 996 100 211 24.7 - 20.2 - 22.4 - 38.2
Single modes 626 87.3 1,210 98.1 934 93.8 179 24.9 6.4 20.7 1.9 23.8 3.6 47
Truck6 587 81.9 1,055 85.5 700 70.2 S 25.3 6.9 24 6.8 26.8 9.6 S
For-hire truck 115 16 674 54.6 563 56.5 535 28.8 8 29.3 8.9 29.1 10.4 34.8
Private truck 472 65.9 381 30.9 S S 64 33.1 7.8 44.7 12 S S 45.5
Rail S S 153 12.4 232 23.3 1,532 S S 45.4 13.7 46.8 15.7 26.1
Air (incl truck and air) 26 3.6 2 0.2 3 0.3 1,255 40 8.2 24.8 0.3 40.6 0.6 16.8
Multiple modes S S S S S S 2,669 S S S S S S 3.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 2,596 S S S S S S 20
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water S S 18 1.5 51 5.1 2,742 S S 38.3 4.8 39.7 9 1.6
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 1,438 100 881 100 320 100 296 17.2 - 16.6 - 31.9 - 28
Single modes 1,392 96.8 873 99.2 303 94.8 64 17.1 1.4 16.9 1.8 34.8 6.9 17.6
Truck6 1,392 96.8 873 99.2 303 94.8 64 17.1 1.4 16.9 1.8 34.8 6.9 17.6
For-hire truck 523 36.4 253 28.7 269 84 933 29.5 5.5 29.4 5.1 39 10 12.5
Private truck 869 60.4 621 70.4 35 10.9 41 13.2 5.6 15.7 5 20.5 8 9.2
Multiple modes 46 3.2 7 0.8 S S 1,580 24.9 1.9 46.5 2.6 S S 20.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 31 2.2 S S 1 0.2 1,579 41.3 1 S S 41.2 0.1 22.6
Truck and rail 15 1 7 0.8 S S 2,382 31.1 6 27.4 6.9 S S 1

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 S S 8,073 100 1,408 100 138 S S 29.2 - 21.7 - 37.8
Single modes S S 6,230 77.2 1,049 74.5 136 S S 21.3 5.6 18 5.6 38
Truck6 S S 5,635 69.8 650 46.1 120 S S 23.9 5.5 14.3 10.9 42.4
For-hire truck S S 3,488 43.2 526 37.4 193 S S 42.4 10.6 14.8 12.2 38.5
Private truck 53 1.2 2,147 26.6 123 8.8 S 43.9 7.4 36.4 10 47.2 4 S
Rail 17 0.4 595 7.4 399 28.4 727 34 1.6 32.4 6.4 31.1 8 28.9
Multiple modes S S 153 1.9 336 23.9 1,770 S S 26.1 1.9 24.6 4.5 20.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S - - S S S S S 8.4 - S
Truck and rail 13 0.3 107 1.3 188 13.3 2,027 43.3 3.7 35.3 1.1 30.5 6.4 12.6
Rail and water 3 0.1 46 0.6 148 10.5 3,240 39.3 1.5 39.4 3.8 38.9 16.8 0.6
Other and unknown modes S S S S 23 1.6 S S S S S 46.8 5.1 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 853 100 1,303 100 168 100 S 23.5 - 22.8 - 32.6 - S
Single modes 839 98.4 1,280 98.3 165 98.6 S 24.2 2.6 23 1.4 33.3 6.5 S
Truck6 839 98.4 1,280 98.3 165 98.6 S 24.2 2.6 23 1.4 33.3 6.5 S
For-hire truck 234 27.4 374 28.7 80 48 S 31 10.7 29.6 11.2 49.1 12.6 S
Private truck 605 71 906 69.6 85 50.6 36 23.9 8.4 24.3 8.9 38.7 11.5 14.5
Multiple modes - - - - - - 733 39.6 0.2 42.9 - 49.4 0.2 33.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier - - - - S S 737 42.3 0.2 49.2 - S S 34.3
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 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 6,279 100 1,195 100 604 100 727 27.4 - 24.7 - 17.6 - 9
Single modes 3,964 63.1 1,132 94.8 546 90.5 542 20.9 7.7 25.8 3.6 19.3 5.6 11.2
Truck6 3,828 61 1,131 94.6 544 90.2 443 21.7 8.3 25.9 3.6 19.4 5.6 13.4
For-hire truck 2,507 39.9 492 41.2 330 54.7 629 27.7 9.8 19.1 9.3 21.5 9.2 5.2
Private truck 1,321 21 638 53.4 214 35.4 156 39.3 6.3 46.6 9.2 41.6 9 41.5
Air (incl truck and air) 136 2.2 S S S S 1,207 25.2 1.3 S S S S 20
Multiple modes 2,262 36 61 5.1 57 9.4 790 49.3 7.8 27.1 3.3 27.9 5.5 21.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 2,240 35.7 51 4.3 32 5.3 789 49.6 7.9 30.2 3.4 28.5 5.9 21.7
Truck and water 22 0.3 9 0.8 25 4.1 2,651 29.7 0.7 35 1 35.7 3.2 3.6
Other and unknown modes S S 2 0.2 S S S S S 47.4 0.5 S S 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 2,412 100 671 100 339 100 1,394 26.6 - 15.8 - 24.4 - 12.5
Single modes 1,448 60 593 88.3 232 68.3 779 28.3 5.5 16.4 4 18.8 7.3 19.2
Truck6 1,418 58.8 592 88.2 231 67.9 490 29.2 5.8 16.5 4 19 7.4 17
For-hire truck 889 36.9 265 39.5 138 40.8 632 41.6 6.5 21.8 7.2 18 8.9 18
Private truck 528 21.9 327 48.7 92 27.1 147 22.1 6.6 25.1 9.5 39.8 9.1 31.7
Air (incl truck and air) 31 1.3 1 0.1 1 0.4 2,133 29.7 1.8 37.1 0.2 30.8 1 8
Multiple modes 936 38.8 68 10.1 S S 1,514 38.3 5.6 43.9 3.9 S S 11.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 924 38.3 62 9.2 S S 1,514 39 5.8 49 3.9 S S 11.2
Truck and water S S S S S S 2,750 S S S S S S 1.8
Other and unknown modes 28 1.1 S S - - S 37.9 3 S S 45.5 - 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 4,016 100 8,157 100 755 100 642 13.2 - 17.1 - 28 - 13
Single modes 3,184 79.3 8,129 99.7 729 96.6 216 15 2.6 17.1 0.1 29.1 2.9 44.2
Truck6 3,139 78.2 8,003 98.1 672 89 175 15.2 2.6 17.2 1.2 29 3.3 22.5
For-hire truck 1,775 44.2 2,512 30.8 497 65.8 603 28.6 7.2 40.6 9.2 35.6 9.5 22.2
Private truck 1,364 34 5,491 67.3 175 23.2 67 20.4 6.5 18.7 9.6 25.2 8.8 20.6
Rail 15 0.4 125 1.5 57 7.5 455 26.9 0.8 19.1 4.5 32.1 9 18.3
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 2,468 S S S S S S 14.6
Multiple modes 784 19.5 23 0.3 23 3.1 974 12.9 2.7 30.2 0.1 26.7 2.7 14.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 783 19.5 23 0.3 23 3 974 12.9 2.7 30.3 0.1 26.8 2.7 14.5
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water 1 - S S S S 2,119 26.9 0.1 S S S S 43.1
Other and unknown modes 48 1.2 4 0.1 3 0.4 S 18.3 0.3 30.2 - 27.7 0.4 S

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 4,806 100 303 100 303 100 1,025 28.6 - 27.4 - 35.6 - 8.3
Single modes 3,291 68.5 274 90.6 270 89.1 793 36.8 4.4 29.7 5.3 39.9 7.8 12.9
Truck6 3,092 64.3 273 90.1 267 88.3 693 39.5 4.7 29.7 5.5 40.1 8.1 16.5
For-hire truck 2,478 51.6 200 66 231 76.2 967 44.8 5 34.4 6.7 45.3 8.7 16.7
Private truck 613 12.8 73 24.1 S S S 28 3 43.8 6.3 S S S
Air (incl truck and air) 200 4.2 2 0.5 S S 1,469 29.1 1.5 45.5 0.3 S S 8.3
Multiple modes 1,441 30 25 8.3 33 10.8 1,190 25 4.6 28.5 5.1 23.1 7.8 8.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,433 29.8 24 7.9 29 9.7 1,185 25.2 4.7 30 5.2 24.2 7.9 8.9
Truck and water S S S S S S 2,844 S S S S S S 21.2
Other and unknown modes 74 1.5 S S S S S 42 0.6 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 5,552 100 946 100 389 100 522 46.2 - 31.6 - 31.5 - 19.7
Single modes S S 699 73.9 333 85.6 373 S S 38.4 9.2 31.6 4.3 21.2
Truck6 S S 695 73.5 322 82.9 277 S S 38.6 9.3 31.8 4.7 26.8
For-hire truck S S S S 295 75.9 486 S S S S 35.4 7.1 25.2
Private truck 432 7.8 151 15.9 27 7 82 24.1 5.3 25.7 11 34.1 5.1 25.9
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 2,094 S S S S S S 16.9
Multiple modes 773 13.9 31 3.3 36 9.2 955 7.8 6.8 27.6 1.5 42.6 3.9 11.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 767 13.8 26 2.8 25 6.5 950 8 6.6 18.1 1.3 24.3 3.9 11.2
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water 4 0.1 - - 1 0.2 2,742 35.4 0.1 39.1 0.1 38.8 0.3 1.8
Other multiple modes 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 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 467 S S S S S S 35.4
Single modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck6 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 471 S S S S S S 24.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 471 S S S S S S 24.2

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.