Last Mile Delivery

What Is Last Mile Delivery?

Last mile delivery is the final leg of a shipment's journey, from a local distribution center or hub to the end customer's door. It's the last, and usually shortest, distance in a much longer supply chain journey.

How Does Last Mile Delivery Work?

Once inventory reaches a regional or local fulfillment center, it's sorted, loaded onto delivery vehicles, and routed to individual addresses, often using route optimization software to sequence stops efficiently. Delivery windows, proof of delivery (POD), and real-time tracking updates are typically part of this stage, especially in e-commerce.

Why Last Mile Delivery Matters

Last mile delivery is consistently the most expensive and operationally complex part of the entire supply chain, often accounting for over half of total shipping cost, because it involves many stops, small loads per stop, and high customer expectations for speed and communication. It's also the stage customers actually see and judge a brand by, a late or poorly communicated last-mile delivery undoes a smooth journey through the rest of the supply chain.