General
Last Mile Delivery
The final leg of a shipment, from the last distribution point to the end recipient's address.
In depth
The last mile is short but disproportionately expensive, routinely accounting for a large share of total delivery cost. The reasons are structural: many stops with small drop sizes, urban congestion, restricted access and delivery windows, and failed deliveries that require a second attempt. It is also the only part of the journey the recipient experiences directly, so it carries most of the service perception. Access constraints — no loading dock, narrow streets, appointment-only sites — are where last-mile accessorial charges originate.
Key points
- The final leg to the end recipient, and a large share of total cost
- Driven by drop density, access restrictions, and failed attempts
- The only leg the recipient directly experiences
- Access constraints generate most last-mile surcharges