At a Glance
- Advantage
- Fastest option, no transhipment
- Disadvantage
- More expensive than groupage
- Recommended from
- approx. 8–10 LDM, or under time pressure
When does a direct run make sense?
Direct runs are recommended for: time-critical consignments with a fixed delivery date (just-in-time); sensitive or breakable goods that do not tolerate transhipment; high-volume consignments where a complete vehicle is more economical; dangerous goods transports with special vehicle requirements; and urgent orders where the next groupage departure is too far off.
Direct run vs groupage
Groupage (LTL) combines several customers on one vehicle and is cheaper – but slower because of transhipment and detours. A direct run is more expensive, but offers no transhipment, a lower risk of damage, no waiting for a departure window and maximum certainty of arriving as planned. From around 8–10 LDM the price difference is often small.
What a direct run costs
Direct runs are priced by kilometre, by hour or as a flat rate – depending on the distance and the vehicle type. A van for small quantities costs considerably less than an articulated lorry. NexCargo arranges direct runs across various vehicle classes – from a Sprinter to a mega trailer.
Express direct runs and charter
Where matters are particularly urgent there is the express direct run (immediate departure, available 24/7) or charter (an exclusive vehicle for complex requirements such as special loads, oversized items or multi-day trips). Both come with correspondingly higher prices.
