Last mile

The last mile is the final delivery leg that carries goods from the nearest hub, depot, or distribution center to the end consignee or consumer. It is the most expensive and time-variable part of many chains because it fragments into many small, dispersed drops, often to residential addresses, with failed-delivery and re-attempt costs. In container trade the last mile is the inland haulage from port or ICD to the receiver’s door; in e-commerce it is parcel delivery from the local sortation depot. Route density, address accuracy, and real-time track-and-trace drive its cost and service level.