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 156,415 100 168,595 100 31,972 100 462 5.3 - 9 - 5.3 - 9.7
Single modes 137,141 87.7 160,923 95.4 26,986 84.4 203 5.8 1.6 10.1 1.7 3.3 4 16.5
Truck6 132,497 84.7 148,917 88.3 20,193 63.2 176 6 1.8 10.7 2.6 4 5.1 11.5
For-hire truck 91,216 58.3 70,210 41.6 16,550 51.8 537 6.8 2.6 8.6 2.7 2.7 3.5 5.5
Private truck 41,281 26.4 78,707 46.7 3,643 11.4 71 11.6 2.3 15.7 4.1 13.9 2 7.7
Rail 3,630 2.3 9,795 5.8 6,294 19.7 782 25.8 0.5 22.3 1.4 21.9 4 9.8
Water 227 0.1 2,131 1.3 S S S 35.9 0.1 42.8 1 S S S
Shallow draft 227 0.1 2,131 1.3 S S S 35.9 0.1 42.8 1 S S S
Air (incl truck and air) 776 0.5 14 - 13 - 1,014 40.1 0.2 30.5 - 27.8 - 15.4
Pipeline7 11 - S S S S S 32 - S S S S S
Multiple modes 17,131 11 6,030 3.6 4,610 14.4 819 14.5 1.4 36.2 1.8 36.1 3.9 2.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 13,263 8.5 316 0.2 244 0.8 818 22.3 1.7 17.6 0.1 19.4 0.1 3
Truck and rail 3,100 2 2,501 1.5 1,864 5.8 1,269 25.3 0.5 32.9 0.7 27.5 1.5 8
Truck and water S S S S S S 2,407 S S S S S S 20.1
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other multiple modes S S S S S S 783 S S S S S S 21.4
Other and unknown modes 2,142 1.4 1,642 1 376 1.2 S 16.7 0.3 31.1 0.3 31.7 0.4 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 5,381 100 10,267 100 4,420 100 93 19 - 42 - 44.4 - 35.3
Single modes 4,724 87.8 6,929 67.5 1,957 44.3 93 19.6 6.1 40.9 9.9 39.4 16.6 40.6
Truck6 4,446 82.6 5,097 49.6 S S 93 19 7.6 39.1 13.8 S S 40.6
For-hire truck 2,101 39.1 1,574 15.3 719 16.3 481 26.8 9 25.4 15.1 27.5 19.2 13.9
Private truck 2,344 43.6 S S 216 4.9 87 23.4 7.4 S S 30.7 11.2 22.2
Rail S S S S S S 441 S S S S S S 47.3
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
Multiple modes S S S S S S 827 S S S S S S 19.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 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
Rail 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 84 S S S S S S 29

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 13,956 100 12,628 100 3,693 100 123 10.2 - 18.4 - 12.8 - 15.2
Single modes 12,219 87.6 12,042 95.4 3,113 84.3 119 11 3.9 18.9 1.5 10.7 3.7 12.9
Truck6 12,064 86.4 11,654 92.3 2,846 77.1 118 11 3.9 19.6 2.3 10.6 4.2 13
For-hire truck 6,649 47.6 5,985 47.4 2,353 63.7 519 15 4.2 13.6 5.8 10.9 4.8 4.6
Private truck 5,415 38.8 5,669 44.9 493 13.4 85 12 5.4 34.2 5.7 19.9 2 6.3
Rail 156 1.1 388 3.1 267 7.2 990 17.4 0.3 24 1.6 26.2 2.8 27.9
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 1,727 12.4 585 4.6 580 15.7 815 32 3.9 39.1 1.5 33.8 3.7 35.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and rail 1,719 12.3 584 4.6 580 15.7 1,398 28 4.4 35.8 1.6 29.8 3.7 19.6
Other and unknown modes S S 1 - S S S S S 34.3 - 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 2,460 100 77,559 100 3,286 100 35 29.7 - 19.3 - 14.5 - 30.8
Single modes 2,350 95.5 76,814 99 3,107 94.5 34 27.6 1.5 19.7 0.8 13.8 2 28.6
Truck6 2,319 94.3 74,630 96.2 2,283 69.5 32 28.1 2.4 20.2 2.5 20.5 9.9 26.7
For-hire truck 1,827 74.3 27,326 35.2 1,092 33.2 49 36.6 9.6 17.6 4.3 24 5.6 30.2
Private truck 492 20 47,304 61 1,190 36.2 23 16.5 9.4 23.1 5 31.9 8 18.6
Rail 26 1.1 1,107 1.4 807 24.6 734 32.8 2.5 40.1 2.7 36.2 10.8 13.1
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
Multiple modes S S S S 175 5.3 589 S S S S 47.4 2.9 25.2
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 175 5.3 598 S S S S 43.8 3.4 28.9
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S 13 S S S S S S 39

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 6,454 100 16,957 100 2,555 100 295 26.3 - 24.8 - 27.3 - 37.6
Single modes 6,418 99.4 16,833 99.3 2,533 99.2 297 26.3 0.4 25.1 1.4 27.8 2 37.5
Truck6 6,265 97.1 14,092 83.1 1,213 47.5 297 27.5 5 31.2 10.1 22.4 14.4 37.5
For-hire truck 3,313 51.3 9,135 53.9 1,102 43.1 663 27.6 10.2 39.1 10.1 24.6 12.3 22.3
Private truck S S S S 111 4.3 26 S S S S 44.9 7.9 14.9
Rail 145 2.2 2,719 16 1,321 51.7 215 38.6 8.2 40.9 16.7 44.5 17.4 30.7
Pipeline7 8 0.1 21 0.1 S S S 16.1 0.8 39.2 1 S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S 205 S S S S S S 46.1
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 S S S S S S 12 S S S S S S 21.4

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 31,370 100 9,601 100 4,842 100 393 18.3 - 18.2 - 19.4 - 14.2
Single modes 25,351 80.8 9,052 94.3 4,307 88.9 163 17.6 4.6 17.7 1 17.1 2.6 44.7
Truck6 23,694 75.5 7,185 74.8 2,881 59.5 159 18.9 5.2 16.5 4.9 11.6 6.4 45.5
For-hire truck 20,749 66.1 4,823 50.2 2,566 53 603 21.2 4.6 9.4 7.1 10.4 7.5 4.2
Private truck 2,945 9.4 2,362 24.6 S S S 27.8 3 47.5 5.8 S S S
Rail 1,565 5 1,565 16.3 1,409 29.1 864 45 2.4 33.1 3 32.1 4.6 25
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 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 5,832 18.6 389 4.1 S S 610 37.8 4.6 44.4 1.1 S S 11.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 5,347 17 34 0.4 21 0.4 608 42.3 4.9 33.7 0.2 39.6 0.2 12.1
Truck and rail S S 348 3.6 S S 1,485 S S 46.4 1.3 S S 15.2
Truck and water 30 0.1 S S S S 2,701 5.8 0.7 S S S S 13.5
Other and unknown modes 187 0.6 159 1.7 49 1 S 36.8 0.4 45.7 0.7 46 0.5 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 14,914 100 9,523 100 3,850 100 649 9.9 - 14.2 - 16.6 - 10.8
Single modes 13,437 90.1 8,917 93.6 3,442 89.4 237 9.7 1.4 14.2 1.6 16.6 2.7 14.2
Truck6 12,784 85.7 7,721 81.1 2,411 62.6 229 9.1 1.8 14.8 4.2 10.7 6.2 14.6
For-hire truck 8,196 55 4,682 49.2 2,101 54.6 538 9.5 2.1 18.6 4.7 13 5.6 8
Private truck 4,587 30.8 3,039 31.9 310 8 71 11.8 2.4 28.4 6.8 29.9 3.1 9.8
Rail 646 4.3 1,195 12.6 1,030 26.8 909 31.8 1.7 30 4.8 28.7 5.8 23.4
Air (incl truck and air) 7 0.1 S S 1 - 1,212 48.2 - S S 48.3 - 19.5
Multiple modes 1,151 7.7 357 3.7 257 6.7 903 23.7 1.3 30.5 1 30.4 1.2 6.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,017 6.8 79 0.8 69 1.8 903 26.4 1.3 36.3 0.2 33.4 0.5 6.2
Truck and rail 122 0.8 257 2.7 174 4.5 722 42.2 0.4 32.3 0.9 32.5 1 13
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 325 2.2 S S S S 358 33.8 0.9 S S S S 25.1

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 30,665 100 20,292 100 4,667 100 515 15.4 - 22 - 13.1 - 7.4
Single modes 28,686 93.5 19,553 96.4 4,464 95.7 333 16.6 1.8 22.6 1.2 13.4 1 9.6
Truck6 27,961 91.2 18,836 92.8 3,921 84 331 16.6 1.9 23.5 2.1 12.3 2.9 9.4
For-hire truck 23,479 76.6 10,824 53.3 3,516 75.3 618 20.6 4.7 22.5 4.2 13.7 2.4 6.8
Private truck 4,482 14.6 8,011 39.5 405 8.7 95 16.4 4.3 30.4 5.1 12.8 2.1 15.7
Rail 700 2.3 716 3.5 543 11.6 801 40 0.9 11.9 1.5 25.9 2.1 15.4
Air (incl truck and air) 25 0.1 1 - - - 1,509 45.7 0.1 33.2 - 39.4 - 19.3
Multiple modes 1,696 5.5 205 1 180 3.9 792 19.7 1.6 29.8 0.7 30.7 1 6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,353 4.4 61 0.3 41 0.9 790 21.5 1.6 29.5 0.2 22.5 0.3 6
Truck and rail S S 137 0.7 129 2.8 1,369 S S 40.8 0.8 39.1 1.2 18.2
Truck and water S S S S S S 3,730 S S S S S S 35.8
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 284 0.9 534 2.6 23 0.5 S 21.6 0.3 49.6 1 26.6 0.2 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 23,286 100 3,672 100 2,092 100 335 7.7 - 10.2 - 10.8 - 16.8
Single modes 19,442 83.5 3,436 93.6 1,844 88.1 188 9.1 3.7 10.8 1.4 11.9 2.9 29.5
Truck6 19,063 81.9 3,428 93.3 1,831 87.5 181 8.8 3.6 10.8 1.4 11.9 2.9 27.9
For-hire truck 15,940 68.5 2,877 78.4 1,719 82.2 626 9.6 4.3 11.9 3.7 12.7 3.7 6.1
Private truck 3,124 13.4 550 15 111 5.3 58 13.8 1.3 20.9 2.9 24.9 1.3 18.8
Rail 27 0.1 5 0.1 S S S 42.4 0.6 32.3 0.6 S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S 3 0.1 2 0.1 1,025 S S 26.4 - 33.1 0.1 24.8
Multiple modes 3,042 13.1 143 3.9 164 7.8 781 26.8 3.2 27 1.1 21.6 1.6 5.3
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 2,729 11.7 S S S S 777 31 3.3 S S S S 5.2
Truck and rail 296 1.3 72 2 104 5 1,837 46 0.5 34.5 0.6 31.9 1.3 13
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 802 3.4 93 2.5 S S S 32.8 1.1 37.9 1.1 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 27,925 100 8,098 100 2,566 100 757 16.5 - 13.1 - 11.3 - 9
Single modes 24,510 87.8 7,347 90.7 2,220 86.5 421 18.5 4 13.8 4.7 10.9 4.9 18.2
Truck6 23,899 85.6 6,275 77.5 1,874 73 250 18.5 4 13.7 6.9 11.2 8.1 12.4
For-hire truck 8,958 32.1 2,983 36.8 1,382 53.8 620 10.4 6 13 5.4 9.4 7 9.1
Private truck 14,941 53.5 3,292 40.6 492 19.2 114 27.7 7.8 18.8 4 20.9 3 14.6
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Water 89 0.3 317 3.9 90 3.5 277 15.9 0.3 13.4 4.9 47 4.5 40.8
Shallow draft 89 0.3 317 3.9 90 3.5 277 15.9 0.3 13.4 4.9 47 4.5 40.8
Air (incl truck and air) 357 1.3 9 0.1 8 0.3 1,014 39.1 0.9 29.4 0.2 23.5 0.3 14.6
Multiple modes 2,945 10.5 S S S S 873 21.6 2.9 S S S S 5.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 2,808 10.1 73 0.9 57 2.2 873 21.5 2.9 23.8 0.5 26 1.1 5.3
Truck and rail S S S S S S 1,095 S S S S S S 40.3
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 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 4 100 1 100 S S S 47.8 - 40.6 - S S S
Single modes 4 90.9 - 95.7 S S S 42.2 5.2 34 3.4 S S S
Truck6 4 90.9 - 95.7 S S S 42.2 5.2 34 3.4 S S S
For-hire truck 4 90.4 - 94.3 S S S 28.5 6.5 13.8 4.5 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 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

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.