Road Freight in Europe

Ship by road across Europe — FTL full trucks, LTL groupage, CMR consignment notes, ADR dangerous goods and the EU road freight network.

~75% of total

EU freight by road

24,000 kg

Standard truck payload

33 EUR pallets

FTL capacity (mega)

None (EU only)

EU border controls

Road freight is the dominant freight mode within Europe — approximately 75% of EU inland freight moves by road. Europe's motorway network spans over 75,000 km, enabling fast, door-to-door delivery between most major European cities within 1–5 days. The EU's single market means no customs between the 27 member states — trucks cross borders with no delays for most goods. The main document for road freight is the CMR consignment note (Convention on the Contract for the Carriage of Goods by Road). For post-Brexit UK and non-EU European countries (Switzerland, Norway), customs declarations apply. EU road freight carriers include DHL Freight, DB Schenker, Kuehne+Nagel, DSV, XPO Logistics, Dachser and Geodis.

FTL vs LTL Road Freight

FTL (Full Truckload): • Standard truck: 13.6 m trailer (mega), 33 EUR pallets, 24,000 kg payload, 82 CBM volume • Curtainsider: most common general cargo trailer — canvas sides, full pallet access • Refrigerated (reefer): temperature-controlled trailer for food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals • Flatbed/lowloader: for oversized, heavy machinery • Price: typically €800–€4,000 per truck depending on distance and route • Best for: 15+ pallets, direct delivery without transhipment, time-critical, high-value, fragile or temperature-sensitive cargo LTL (Less than Truckload / Groupage): • Your cargo shares trailer space in a carrier's LTL network (hub-and-spoke system) • Priced per pallet, per kg or per LDM (loading metre: 1 LDM = 1 metre of trailer length × full trailer width 2.4 m) • Cargo tranships at carrier hubs (typically 1–2 cross-docks per journey) • Transit: typically 1–4 days within EU depending on origin/destination • Best for: 1–15 pallets, regular B2B shipments, cost-optimised non-urgent freight Breakeven: LTL becomes more expensive than FTL around 15–18 pallets for most EU routes.

CMR Consignment Note

The CMR consignment note (Lettre de voiture CMR) is the mandatory transport document for international road freight in CMR Convention countries (all EU states, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey and many others — 55 countries total). CMR contains: • Sender (consignor) name and address • Receiver (consignee) name and address • Place and date of takeover of goods • Place of delivery • Description of goods (nature, number of packages, marks) • Gross weight • Instructions to carrier (customs, delivery, value declared) • Carrier's reservations CMR is issued in triplicate: original (red/consignee), duplicate (blue/carrier), triplicate (yellow/sender). The CMR is signed by sender and carrier at pickup; consignee signs at delivery. Note: CMR is the road freight equivalent of the Air Waybill for air freight. Unlike a Bill of Lading, it is NOT a document of title — goods are released to the named consignee without presenting the CMR document.

ADR Dangerous Goods by Road

ADR (Accord Dangereux Routier — European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) governs road transport of dangerous goods across Europe. All CMR countries apply ADR. ADR dangerous goods classes: Class 1: Explosives Class 2: Gases (compressed, liquefied, dissolved) Class 3: Flammable liquids (fuel, paint, spirits, solvents) Class 4: Flammable solids Class 5: Oxidising substances and organic peroxides Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances Class 7: Radioactive material Class 8: Corrosives (acids, batteries) Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous goods (lithium batteries, dry ice, magnetised material) Key requirements: • DG declaration on shipping documents (Description of Goods in CMR must include UN number, class, packing group, quantity) • Proper packaging (UN-approved containers) • Labels and placards on packages and vehicle • ADR transport document accompanying the driver • Small Load Exemptions (SLE): for limited quantities, some requirements are waived — check ADR Section 1.1.3 • Driver ADR certification (Kemler plates on vehicle)

EU Cabotage and Road Freight Regulations

EU cabotage rules: A non-resident road haulier can perform up to 3 cabotage operations (domestic deliveries within another EU member state) within 7 days of an international delivery. This limits foreign trucks doing domestic haulage within a country. Post-Brexit, UK hauliers face strict limits on EU cabotage. Driver working time regulations: EU Regulation 561/2006 limits driving time: 9 hours per day (max 10 hours twice per week), 56 hours per week, 90 hours per fortnight. Mandatory breaks (45 min after 4.5 hours driving). Tachographs record all driving time electronically (digital tachograph mandatory for post-2006 vehicles). Weight and dimensions: Standard EU maximum road vehicle: 16.5 m length, 2.55 m width, 4 m height, 44 tonnes gross vehicle weight. Some countries allow higher limits (e.g., Finland/Sweden 25.25 m, 60–100 tonnes for timber transport). Emissions: EU Euro VI emission standards apply to trucks on most EU roads. Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in major European cities restrict older vehicles. Green Lanes (priority) for zero-emission vehicles being introduced in some urban areas.

Quick Comparison

Carrier	Network	Strength	Best For
DHL Freight	Pan-EU + 220 countries	Premium, reliable, wide	Premium B2B, time-definite
DB Schenker	EU + global	Germany/Central EU strong	German manufacturing supply chain
DSV Road	Pan-EU	Denmark origin, wide EU	Scandinavia + EU routes
XPO Logistics	Pan-EU + USA	France/UK/Spain strong	Western Europe LTL
Geodis	EU (France-centric)	France strongest	France + Med routes
Kuehne+Nagel	Global + EU	Complex logistics	Full-service B2B freight
Dachser	EU network	Germany/Austria/CH strong	Precision B2B European freight

Expert Tips

▸For LTL road freight, always measure and weigh pallets accurately before booking — all major road freight carriers will reweigh and remeasure on collection. Discrepancies lead to surcharge invoices. Weigh your pallet on a certified pallet scale and measure to the widest point including any overhang.
▸CMR consignment notes should be completed fully and accurately — vague goods descriptions ('general cargo', 'parts', 'goods') are insufficient. Write: quantity, packaging type (e.g., '5 pallets of stainless steel components'), weight and any special handling requirements. This protects you in case of claims.
▸For ADR dangerous goods by road within the EU, always check whether the Small Load Exemption (SLE, ADR Section 1.1.3) applies to your quantity — many common DG items (batteries, aerosols, paint) in small quantities qualify for SLE, significantly simplifying documentation and packaging requirements.
▸For FTL bookings, specify trailer type carefully: curtainsider (standard, most common), mega trailer (extra height — 3 m internal vs 2.7 m standard), reefer (temperature controlled), flatbed (heavy machinery). Booking a standard trailer for a load requiring a mega trailer causes costly last-minute changes.
▸For post-Brexit UK shipments by road: trucks crossing between EU and UK now require customs clearance at Dover/Eurotunnel. Use a customs broker at both ends, prepare commercial invoices with HS codes, and check whether your goods require a UK IPAFFS notification (for animal/plant products entering UK).
▸Volume-contract road freight pricing: most carriers offer tiered pricing based on monthly tonnage. If you ship 20+ pallets per month on the same lane, negotiate an annual rate contract — typically 20–40% below spot rates. Commit to volume in exchange for fixed pricing and guaranteed capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CMR document and when is it required?

A CMR consignment note is the mandatory transport document for international road freight between CMR Convention countries (covering all EU member states, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey and 50+ others). It serves as: (1) a contract of carriage between sender and carrier, (2) a receipt confirming cargo was loaded, (3) a delivery receipt when signed by the consignee. CMR is issued in triplicate (sender, carrier, consignee copies). It is NOT a document of title — unlike a sea Bill of Lading, goods can be released to the consignee without presenting the physical CMR.

How much does road freight cost in Europe?

EU LTL pallet costs: 1 EUR pallet (500 kg, standard transit) typically €80–€280 depending on route. Germany to France: €80–€140; Germany to Spain: €120–€200; Portugal to Germany: €150–€280. FTL rates: €800–€3,500 per full truck depending on distance. Fuel surcharges (20–35%) apply to all road freight. Express/time-definite services cost 40–80% more than standard LTL. Volume contracts provide 20–40% discounts vs spot rates.

What is ADR and how does it affect road freight?

ADR (Accord Dangereux Routier) is the European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road. It applies across all 55 ADR signatory countries and governs packaging, labelling, documentation and vehicle requirements for DG transport by road. Key impact on shippers: (1) DG description on CMR must include UN number, DG class, packing group. (2) UN-approved packaging required. (3) DG labels on outer packaging. (4) Small Load Exemption (SLE) available for limited quantities — reduces requirements for common small-quantity DG (batteries, aerosols, paint).

What is the maximum weight and dimensions for road freight in Europe?

Standard EU road vehicle limits: total length 16.5 m (articulated truck + trailer), width 2.55 m, height 4.0 m (some countries 4.2 m), maximum gross vehicle weight 44 tonnes. Payload: typically 24,000–25,000 kg. A standard 13.6 m trailer carries approximately 33 Euro pallets and 82 CBM volume. 'Mega' or 'jumbo' trailers (3 m internal height vs 2.7 m standard) allow higher pallet stacking. Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden) allow longer and heavier vehicles for forestry transport.

Which road freight carriers have the best EU coverage?

Best all-round EU road freight carriers: DHL Freight (widest EU coverage, premium pricing, reliable time-definite), DB Schenker (strong Germany and Central Europe), DSV Road (strong Scandinavia and pan-EU), XPO Logistics (strong France, UK, Spain), Geodis (France-centric but EU-wide), Kuehne+Nagel (full-service logistics, complex requirements), Dachser (precision German/Austrian network). For smaller volumes, pallet networks (Palletways, Pall-Ex) provide cost-effective LTL access across the EU.

Do I need customs documents for EU road freight?

No — for shipments between EU member states, there are no customs requirements. Goods move freely within the EU single market with only a CMR consignment note (and commercial invoice for B2B). Customs documentation is required for: EU to UK (post-Brexit) — export MRN + UK import declaration; EU to Switzerland — T1 transit + Swiss import declaration; EU to Norway — T1 transit + Norwegian import declaration; EU to Turkey — TIR carnet or T1 transit document.

Related Guides

Pallet Shipping Guide

Euro pallet types, LTL vs FTL and EU pallet rates.

Air Freight Guide

When road freight cannot meet your timeline.

Freight Forwarder Guide

Working with a freight forwarder for road cargo.

Shipping to UK (post-Brexit)

EU–UK road freight customs after Brexit.

Incoterms Guide

EXW, FCA, DAP — Incoterms for road freight contracts.

International Shipping

Destination guides when road freight crosses into non-EU.

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