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