How Many Methods Are There for Last-Mile Truck Delivery?

What Are the Ways of Last-Mile Truck Delivery?

In the modern logistics industry, last-mile delivery is a crucial part of the entire supply chain. It refers to the process of transporting goods from a logistics center or distribution hub to the end customer. This stage directly affects the customer experience and satisfaction, so choosing an appropriate last-mile delivery method is particularly important. As one of the main methods, last-mile truck delivery is widely adopted due to its flexibility and extensive coverage. But what are the specific ways of last-mile truck delivery?

Firstly, last-mile truck delivery can be divided into two basic forms single-shipment transport and bulk transport. Single-shipment transport is typically used for small-batch, high-frequency delivery needs. For example, some e-commerce companies adopt this approach to meet consumers' immediate demands by directly delivering products from the logistics center to the consumer. The advantage of this model lies in its speed and timely response, but it comes with higher costs. According to data released by a certain e-commerce platform, during shopping festivals like Singles' Day, the proportion of single-shipment transport significantly increased, reaching up to three times the normal level during peak periods.

Secondly, bulk transport is another common form of last-mile truck delivery. This method mainly caters to large-batch goods delivery requirements, such as large supermarkets and chain stores. By concentrating goods and transporting them all at once to multiple destinations, it can effectively reduce the unit transportation cost. In recent years, with the continuous improvement of urban delivery networks, many logistics enterprises have started using intelligent scheduling systems to optimize bulk transport routes, thereby further improving efficiency. For instance, a well-known courier company introduced an advanced path planning algorithm in early 2025, which improved the average efficiency of bulk transport by nearly 20%.

Besides these two basic forms, there is also a relatively special type of last-mile truck delivery method called ride-sharing services. Ride-sharing service means that multiple shippers jointly use a truck to complete the delivery task. This not only reduces empty trips but also greatly conserves resource consumption. Especially during holidays or promotional events, the demand for ride-sharing services often surges. According to data provided by a certain logistics service platform, during the Spring Festival this year, the number of ride-sharing orders on the platform increased by about 45% compared to the same period last year, showing a high market recognition of such services.

With the advancement of technology, intelligent last-mile truck delivery has become an emerging trend. The application of autonomous driving technology allows trucks to complete part or all of the delivery process without human intervention, which undoubtedly brings revolutionary changes to the industry. Although this technology is still in the experimental stage, several leading logistics enterprises have begun to layout related fields and achieved initial results. For example, a recent announcement by an autonomous driving company stated that its self-developed unmanned delivery vehicles have achieved regular operations in specific areas, and it is expected that the application scale will gradually expand over the next few years.

In conclusion, there are various ways of last-mile truck delivery, each with its own applicable scenarios and characteristics. Whether it's small-batch single-shipment transport pursuing speed, bulk transport focusing on economy, ride-sharing services sharing resources, or intelligent delivery leading the future, they are all constantly promoting the innovative development of the logistics industry. For enterprises and consumers, understanding these different delivery methods can help better plan logistics strategies and improve overall service quality. In the future, with the continuous emergence of new technologies and changes in market demand, the forms of last-mile truck delivery will become even more diverse, contributing to the construction of an efficient and convenient modern logistics system.