Road freight covers all freight transport operations carried out by road, using trucks: rigid trucks, semi-trailers or road trains. It is the dominant mode in Europe, with around 75% of the tonnage moved within the EU.
The EU generates 1,870 billion tonne-kilometers of road freight. France is the second-largest European market (15% of volume), behind Germany (25%), according to the IRU.
Articulated vehicles (tractor + semi-trailer) account for 87% of tonne-kilometers in France.
Rigid trucks account for 8% and road trains for 5%.
Bodies are adapted to the goods: curtainsider, refrigerated, tanker, flatbed.
Source: IRU
Germany is the hub of European road freight: in 2025, 9 of the top 20 intra-European routes by tonnage started or ended there, according to Upply Market Insights.
The most important routes are Germany–France, Spain–France, Germany–Poland and Germany–Netherlands. They connect Europe's main industrial and port hubs: Paris, Madrid, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Frankfurt, Milan and Warsaw.
The center of gravity is shifting toward Central and Eastern Europe. In 2025, Czech Republic–Germany (+30.3%) and Czech Republic–Poland (+26.1%) grew strongly, while Germany–France (-6.3%) and Spain–France (-5.1%) declined. Nearshoring reinforces this trend.
The price is not limited to transport. It includes diesel indexation, tolls and additional charges (waiting time, tail lift, ADR…). Rates change with diesel prices, available capacity and demand (see why transport prices fluctuate).
They are negotiated on two markets: the contract market, with rates usually set for one year, and the spot market, with load-by-load rates that react faster to market tensions.
Door-to-door delivery: with no break of load, trucks can reach almost any location.
Responsiveness: a truck can be mobilized quickly, especially on the spot market.
Adaptability: refrigerated, tanker, flatbed, curtainsider. There is a vehicle for every type of goods.
Less handling: with FTL, goods are loaded and unloaded only once.
Real-time tracking: GPS, TMS and eCMR provide detailed shipment visibility.
Competitive pricing over short and medium distances.
Reliance on diesel: fuel weighs heavily on costs, and any increase is quickly passed on to rates.
Environmental impact: road transport is a major source of CO2. Alternative energies (electric, HVO, B100, biogas) remain more expensive.
Driver shortage: the structural lack of drivers reduces capacity and pushes wages up.
Empty running: around 21.6% of truck kilometers in Europe are driven empty (17.3% in France).
Fragmented market: many small companies with thin margins. In 2023, 40% of French road haulage companies were loss-making.
Regulatory and road constraints: Mobility Package, ETS2, CO2-based tolls, traffic restrictions and congestion.
Road freight is the go-to mode for short- and medium-distance continental flows, when flexibility and door-to-door delivery matter.
For long distances and large regular volumes, rail, inland waterways or intermodal solutions are often more competitive and lower-emission.
Suitable
Suitable (refrigerated truck)
Not suitable, choose ocean or air freight
Suitable
Suitable (express or dedicated)
Less suitable, choose rail or intermodal
Suitable (spot or LTL)
Suitable (ADR equipment)
Suitable
Suitable (refrigerated truck)
Not suitable, choose ocean or air freight
Suitable
Suitable (express or dedicated)
Less suitable, choose rail or intermodal
Suitable (spot or LTL)
Suitable (ADR equipment)
Find our market update in the monthly road barometer from Upply Market Insights.
The Upply Freight Index (UFI), Upply's proprietary road index for contract and spot rates, based on real invoiced prices, and the average price per kilometer.
The CNR professional diesel index and the CNR long-distance articulated vehicle index, which measures the full operating cost of a truck.
The empty running rate and the supply/demand ratio on freight exchanges signal capacity tensions.
The INSEE business climate index for road haulage, the FNTR quarterly survey and the manufacturing PMI, partly available on Upply Data Hub.
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