This paper presents key statistics and trends in freight transportation in the United States and California. While California is obviously a large and integral part of the national economy, there are many important differences in shipment patterns between the state and the nation as a whole. These differences are primarily a result of California's role as an economic and social trendsetter for the counry as well as its role as a "gateway" to the emerging Pacific Rim economy. 

This paper presents key statistics and trends in freight transportation in the United States and California. While California is obviously a large and integral part of the national economy, there are many important differences in shipment patterns between the state and the nation as a whole. These differences are primarily a result of California’s role as an economic and social trendsetter for the country as well as its role as a “gateway” to the emerging Pacific Rim economy.