Just as marathon runners train and prepare in order to complete that last mile to the finish line, similar preparation is required for completing the final leg of the delivery journey.

Last-mile delivery is the final step in the supply chain. It involves transporting a package from a warehouse or distribution center to its destination, such as when a ground delivery service carries an e-commerce order to a customer's home.

While last-mile delivery might be the last leg of the journey, it is often the most expensive. The transportation entity typically must make numerous individual deliveries to multiple addresses, which drives up costs and impacts profitability.

How to improve last-mile delivery

If your business includes last-mile delivery, there are several ways you can improve the process and boost profitability. For many delivery companies, implementing intuitive route optimization software offers the most practical and cost-effective solution.

Route optimization involves finding the most efficient and cost-effective routes when planning a delivery schedule. The process entails more than determining the fastest path between stops—it also considers several relevant factors, such as variations in traffic along the route, the desired delivery time frame, the number of turns and intersections along the route, and the vehicle's characteristics and limitations.

How to make last-mile delivery more efficient

Implementing route optimization software from MileMaker will enable you to plan your routes based on the factors that directly impact profitability, such as fuel efficiency, vehicle specifications, and load type.

From a last-mile delivery profitability perspective, our software provides several benefits:

1. Reduced travel time: By considering traffic, delivery locations, and other factors, MileMaker can pinpoint the fastest routes, saving valuable time and lowering labor and vehicle costs.
2. Lower fuel consumption: Shortening your routes with the help of our software enables your vehicles to use less fuel, which can result in significant cost reductions.
3. More flexibility: Drivers can become aware of changing road conditions and adapt quickly to stay on schedule.
4. Higher customer satisfaction: You can offer shorter delivery windows to your customers and improve accuracy, helping to increase retention.

An example of last-mile delivery optimization

Implementing a route optimization solution for last-mile delivery offers several advantages. For example, if your driver is on the way to make a series of e-commerce deliveries, but encounters a major accident that is blocking traffic, our software can provide timely and accurate rerouting instructions that get the driver to the area while avoiding a lengthy delay.

See how you can improve last-mile delivery with a demo

How can you make last-mile delivery profitable? Take the next step and contact us to request more information or book a software demo today.