What is Last Mile Delivery and How Does It Work?
- Danyul Gleeson
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
If logistics were a high-stakes heist movie, last mile delivery would be the getaway scene - the final, heart-pounding moment where everything either goes off without a hitch or falls apart spectacularly.
You could have the slickest supply chain, a warehouse running like a well-oiled machine, and shipping routes planned down to the millisecond, but if your last mile delivery fails, that’s all customers will remember.
Because let’s be honest - no one cares about your perfectly optimized logistics network. Customers don’t see the AI-powered inventory tracking or the seamless warehouse automation.
They just see one thing: Did my package arrive when you said it would?
And here’s the kicker - last mile delivery isn’t just about getting packages from Point A to Point B. It’s about doing it faster, cheaper, and smarter than everyone else. It’s about navigating traffic, unexpected delays, wrong addresses, missed deliveries, and customer impatience—all while keeping costs under control.
And in today’s on-demand economy, last mile delivery is the battlefield where brands win or lose customers.
So, how does it actually work? Let’s break it down.
What Is Last Mile Delivery?
Last mile delivery refers to the final step in the logistics chain, where goods are transported from a fulfillment center, distribution hub, or retail store to the customer’s location.
It’s called the “last mile” because it represents the final stretch - even though in reality, it could be anywhere from a few blocks to 100 miles.
This delivery process is used across multiple industries:
✔ E-commerce: Shipping online orders directly to customers.
✔ Retail: Delivering in-store purchases to customers' homes.
✔ B2B Logistics: Supplying goods to businesses and retailers.
✔ Grocery & Food Delivery: Moving perishable goods with time-sensitive constraints.
✔ Medical & Pharmaceutical Logistics: Ensuring rapid, secure transport of medical supplies.
How Does Last Mile Delivery Work?
1. Order Processing & Sorting 🏭
✔ When a customer places an order, the fulfillment center or retailer prepares the package for shipment.
✔ The warehouse management system (WMS) assigns the package a tracking ID and barcode for real-time visibility.
✔ Orders are then sorted based on delivery zones, urgency, and carrier availability.
💡 Example: Amazon’s fulfillment centers process and sort thousands of packages within minutes, reducing delays and ensuring faster dispatch times.
2. Route Optimization & Carrier Assignment 🚚
✔ Packages are grouped together based on delivery routes to maximize efficiency.
✔ AI-powered route optimization software calculates the fastest and most cost-effective routes.
✔ Deliveries are assigned to trucks, local couriers, gig economy drivers, or drones (where applicable).
💡 Fact: Companies using AI-driven route optimization reduce last mile delivery costs by up to 30%. (McKinsey)
3. Real-Time Tracking & Delivery Updates 📍
✔ Once out for delivery, customers receive real-time tracking updates via SMS, email, or mobile apps.
✔ Live GPS tracking enables customers to monitor their package’s progress.
✔ Some companies offer dynamic ETA updates or even allow customers to reschedule deliveries for convenience.
💡 Example: Uber-style delivery tracking has become a standard feature, allowing customers to see exactly where their package is and when it will arrive.
4. Final Delivery Attempt 🏠
✔ The driver delivers the package to the designated location—home, office, locker, or pickup station.
✔ In cases where customers aren’t home, alternative drop-off options (safe spots, neighbors, or scheduled reattempts) are used.
✔ Some businesses use contactless delivery options, where customers receive photo proof of delivery.
💡 Fact: Failed deliveries account for up to 5% of all last mile shipments, increasing costs and lowering customer satisfaction. (Statista)
5. Returns & Reverse Logistics 🔄
✔ If a package is damaged, unwanted, or undeliverable, it enters the reverse logistics process.
✔ The WMS and TMS (Transportation Management System) coordinate the return, ensuring fast restocking or disposal.
✔ Returns processing efficiency is crucial for e-commerce businesses, where return rates can reach 30%.
💡 Example: Retailers like Zara and H&M now integrate return label printing and package drop-off points, making returns frictionless for customers.
Why Is Last Mile Delivery So Expensive?
Even though last mile delivery is the shortest part of the journey, it’s the most expensive and inefficient.
Here’s why:
✔ Single-package deliveries: Unlike bulk shipments, last mile logistics involves one package per stop, increasing labor and fuel costs.
✔ Traffic congestion: Urban areas slow down delivery vehicles, reducing efficiency.
✔ Rural delivery costs: Fewer deliveries per route mean higher cost per package.
✔ Failed deliveries & reattempts: Every missed delivery = wasted time and money.
💡 Fact: Last mile delivery makes up 53% of total shipping costs, making it the biggest cost driver in logistics. (Capgemini)
How Businesses Are Optimizing Last Mile Delivery
1. Micro-Fulfillment Centers & Dark Stores 🏬
✔ Businesses are moving inventory closer to customers to cut delivery times.
✔ Dark stores (local fulfillment-only retail spaces) help reduce last mile costs.
💡 Example: Walmart’s store-as-a-warehouse model has reduced shipping times by 30%. (Forbes)
2. AI-Powered Route Optimization 🧠
✔ AI-driven logistics platforms optimize routes in real time to reduce fuel costs and delays.
✔ Dynamic delivery scheduling minimizes failed attempts.
💡 Fact: Businesses using route optimization software reduce last mile delivery costs by 25-40%. (Deloitte)
3. Alternative Delivery Methods (Drones & Robotics) 🚁
✔ Companies are testing drones, autonomous vehicles, and robotic couriers for urban deliveries.
✔ Drones are ideal for remote locations, while robotic carts help with urban deliveries.
💡 Example: Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery program is being tested to cut delivery times to under 30 minutes. (TechCrunch)
Final Thoughts:
Why Last Mile Delivery Is a Logistics Game-Changer
Last mile delivery is where supply chains succeed or fail. It’s the most expensive, complex, and customer-facing part of logistics, making it a top priority for businesses looking to scale efficiently.
✔ Companies that optimize last mile delivery gain a massive competitive edge.
✔ Fast, reliable delivery drives customer loyalty and repeat sales.
✔ AI-driven logistics, urban warehousing, and alternative delivery methods are shaping the future of last mile logistics.
🚛 Want to master last mile logistics and stay ahead of the competition?
