Europe Road Transportation Market: By Truckload Specification (Full-Truckload, Less-Than-Truckload) Destination (Domestic, International) BY Containerization (Containerized, Non-Containerized) Distance (Long Haul, Short Haul) By Temperature Control (Refrigerated, Non-Refrigerated) Goods Configuration (Bulk, Packaged, Hazardous, Others) By End-User Industry (Agriculture, Construction, Retail, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Others) and Country Forecast 2020-2031

Europe Road Transportation Market size was valued at US$ XX in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ XX million by 2031 at a CAGR of XX% from 2025-2031. The market is the transport of goods and people across the continent through road-based means such as trucks, vans, and buses.

The market is fueled by increasing e-commerce activity, increasing demand for just-in-time delivery, and ongoing investment in road infrastructure across the continent. The industry takes advantage of the versatility and cost-saving potential of road freight, particularly for short- and medium-haul transportation, and is boosted by digitalization initiatives such as route optimization and fleet telematics. Nonetheless, the industry is constrained by driver shortage, higher fuel and maintenance prices, as well as mounting pressure on emissions and cross-border compliance. Both environmental pressures and decarbonization are also driving a move towards alternative fuels and electrically charged vehicles, albeit promising, which present enormous initial investment and infrastructure cost.

Facts & Figures

• Private cars are the primary mode of passenger transport, accounting for roughly three-quarters of passenger-kilometers traveled in the EU.
• Road transport carries just over half of the total freight volume in the EU.
• A large percentage of freight tonnage (73%) is transported over distances of 150km or less.
• There are over 6 million trucks in circulation in the EU, with an average age of 14.1 years.
• While diesel remains dominant in new truck sales (95.1%), there's a growing share of electric and hybrid trucks (2.3%).

Key Developments

• In February 2025, DSV introduced renewable energy initiatives and charging infrastructure for electric trucks as part of its sustainability roadmap.
• In Late 2024, Deutsche Post DHL Group expanded its electric vehicle fleet and invested in AI-driven route optimization, as highlighted in its 2024 Annual Report.
• In 2024, DB Schenker enhanced cross-border logistics through digital freight platform integration and network expansion in Eastern Europe (based on industry summaries).
• In 2024, Geodis launched low-emission urban logistics models in France and Spain using micro-distribution hubs and eco-friendly vehicles.

Europe Road Transportation Market Segmentation

Based on the Truckload Specification

• Full-Truckload (FTL)
• Less-than-Truckload (LTL)

Full-Truckload (FTL) is the market leader in the Europe Road Transportation Market. FTL is preferred because it efficiently moves large quantities of goods between origin and destination without intermediate handling. FTL is most critical for retail, pharmaceutical, and heavy machinery. Time-sensitive and bulk shipments are a common feature in the aforementioned industries. Lower damage risk, quicker transit times, and cost savings in high-volume loads further fuel its popularity. With the growth of cross-border trade and e-commerce, FTL services will continue to be in strong demand throughout Europe.

Based on the Destination

• Domestic
• International

The domestic segment controls the Europe Road Transportation Market. This is highly fueled by robust intra-country trade, underpinned by strongly developed road networks within countries and high demand for short-distance and last-mile delivery solutions. The international segment, although crucial for border trade, has developed more gradually due to regulatory issues, customs requirements, and geopolitical tensions affecting freight movements across borders.

Based on the Containerization

• Containerized
• Non-Containerized

While the containerized segment is increasingly popular in the Europe Road Transportation Market because of its suitability for intermodal transport and world trade flows, particularly for standardized products and long distances, the non-containerized segment remains influential, mainly for bulk products, construction materials, and special cargo needing flexible handling. The equilibrium between the two depends on industry type, shipment quantity, and availability of infrastructure across regions.

Based on the Distance

• Long Haul
• Short Haul

The long haul segment enjoys a higher share within the Europe Road Transportation Market as it handles cross-border commerce and inter-regional freight flows, particularly in Western and Central Europe. It is advantaged by well-established highway networks and is preferred for the haulage of bulk commodities over long distances. In the meantime, the short haul sector is gaining traction with the growth of urban logistics and e-commerce, enabling last-mile delivery and distribution in regions. Both sectors are being transformed by digital solutions and sustainability targets, but long haul leads in freight volume and revenue contribution.

Based on the Temperature Control

• Refrigerated
• Non-Refrigerated

Refrigerated part of Europe Road Transportation Market is increasing steadily, driven by rising demand for temperature-sensitive goods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat, seafood, and drugs. Growth is supported by the continent's strong cold chain infrastructure, regulatory emphasis on food and drug safety, and boom in online grocery and healthcare deliveries. Meanwhile, the non-refrigerated category remains volume-driven, offering a wide universe of dry goods, building products, and packaged consumer staples. Both channels are being affected by digital tracking technology and by sustainability initiatives, including the use of electric refrigerated tractor trucks and green insulating systems.

Based on the Goods Configuration

• Bulk
• Packaged
• Hazardous
• Others

The packaged goods sector is the largest in Europe Road Transportation Market because it has application across industries such as retail, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals, where standardized, boxed, or palletized freight is predominant. Bulk transport is crucial for industries such as agriculture, construction, and chemicals, which involve loose loads such as grains, cement, or liquids.

Based on the End-User Industry

• Agriculture
• Construction
• Retail
• Manufacturing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

Among end-user marketplaces in Europe Road Transportation Market, retail market is most dominant in terms of freight volume because it demands quick, flexible transportation of consumer goods to urban and regional networks. This dominance is further supported by the expansion of e-commerce, omnichannel distribution, and just-in-time inventory models that are dependent on road-based logistics.