What Is Last Mile Delivery?
Last mile delivery is the final stage of the shipping process, when a parcel moves from a local hub, such as a depot or sorting centre, to the customer's address. It is often the most expensive and time-sensitive part of delivery because it involves many short, stop-heavy routes.
Key Points
The main issues and tools:
- Challenges: urban congestion, long distances between stops in rural areas, failed deliveries and rising costs.
- Cost impact: this stage is a large share of shipping costs, so routing inefficiencies directly affect margins.
- Technology: route planning software, real-time tracking, automated notifications and electronic proof of delivery.
For a full guide, read our full guide to last mile delivery.
Frequently asked questions
First mile is the movement of goods from a manufacturer to a warehouse or distribution centre. Middle mile connects warehouses to other facilities or local hubs. Last mile is the final movement from the local hub to the customer's doorstep.