TRAFFIX reports cross-border truck capacity remains a challenge for shippers

Cross-border freight conditions between Canada, the United States and Mexico eased slightly in October but remained tighter than normal, according to the latest NAX Index from TRAFFIX.

The company reported the Canada NAX Index slipped to 57 from 58 in September, while the Mexico NAX Index fell to 54 from 55. According to TRAFFIX, the declines suggest conditions are stabilizing rather than worsening, though truck capacity remains constrained across both corridors.

“Shippers are also feeling the daily strain from tight truck availability, high diesel costs, and typical fourth-quarter pressures, including holiday demand spikes, year-end production pushes, weather risks, inventory planning, and tighter delivery windows,” said Alex Fuller, vice-president of commercial intelligence at TRAFFIX.

The report said trade policy was the only one of the index’s four pillars, cost, capacity, demand and policy, to show a meaningful change from September. While recent trade measures have added complexity for cross-border shipments, TRAFFIX said they have also provided more clarity around some cost and planning considerations.

According to the company, truck availability remains the primary operational challenge in both the Canada-U.S. and Mexico-U.S. corridors. Limited backup capacity can leave shippers exposed to missed pickups, higher spot market costs and service disruptions when primary carrier coverage fails.

The report also noted that duty costs and product classifications continue to complicate planning on Canada-U.S. lanes, while truck availability remains the primary concern for freight moving between Mexico and the United States.