Road freight transport by journey characteristics

Data extracted in August 2026

Planned article update: September 2027

Highlights

Following a fall by 3.2% in 2023, total road freight transport performance in the EU (measured in tonne-kilometres) increased by 0.6% in 2024 and 0.9% in 2025.

Hauliers from Poland accounted for the largest share of international transport performance among EU countries in 2025, representing almost one third (32.1%) of the total.

In 2025, more than one fifth (21.8%) of the distances travelled by road freight vehicles in the EU was performed by empty vehicles.

This article presents road freight transport in the European Union (EU) focusing on journeys performed by road freight vehicles. The article presents the different types of transport operations. It also discusses the average loads carried and average distances over which goods were moved, road freight transport by distance class and the distances travelled by empty road freight vehicles.

This article and the articles 'Road freight transport by vehicle characteristics', 'Road freight transport by type of goods', 'Road freight transport statistics' and 'Road freight transport statistics - cabotage' present a complete overview of road freight transport in Europe.

Road freight transport performance by type of operation (in tonne-kilometres)

In 2025, total European road freight transport performance increased by 0.9% compared with 2024 (from 1 868.8 billion tonne-kilometres (tkm)) to 1 886.0 billion tkm). The average annual growth rate from 2021 to 2025 was -0.5% (see Table 1). Compared with the previous year, total road freight transport decreased by -0.1% in 2022 and -3.2% in 2023, but increased by 0.6% in 2024 and 0.9% in 2025.

Over the period 2021-2025, 10 of the 26 EU countries for which data are provided reported a positive average annual growth rate in road freight transport performance, measured in tonne-kilometres (see Table 1. Malta is exempt from reporting road freight transport statistics, see the chapter ‘Data sources’). The highest positive rates were observed in Cyprus (+12.0%), Ireland (+4.7%) and Czechia (+3.6%). In contrast, the largest annual decreases were reported by Estonia (-6.9%), Bulgaria (-6.3%) and Slovenia (-6.0%).

Table showing the total road freight transport from 2021 to 2025, in the EU, EU countries and some EFTA countries. For more details, please use the link to the source dataset code below the image. — Table 1: Total road freight transport, 2021-2025
Source: Eurostat (road_go_ta_tott)

When looking at the evolution of EU road freight transport from 2021 onwards, the indicators national road freight transport by loaded vehicles, international road freight transport by loaded vehicles, and total transport, follow very similar trends. These 3 indicators, all based on tonne-kilometres, are presented as an index in Figure 1. After declining in 2023, all 3 indicators returned to growth in 2024. In 2025, national and international transport by loaded vehicles continued to increase, while total transport decreased.

Overall, national transport decreased by 0.5 index points between 2021 and 2025. International transport decreased by 1.8 index points, while total transport decreased by 3.9 index points over the same period.

Figure 1

Table 2 shows that the national road freight transport in the EU accounted for 1 172.5 billion tkm in 2025, an increase of 2.2% compared with 2024. The average annual growth rate from 2021 to 2025 was -0.1%. Half of the EU countries recorded negative average growth rates over this period (13 out of 26). The highest negative rates were recorded in Luxembourg (-9.6%), followed by Belgium (-6.6%), and Portugal (-6.1%). In contrast, the highest positive annual growth rates were reported by Cyprus (+9.3%), Lithuania (+6.4%), and Bulgaria (+5.1%).

Table showing the national road freight transport, (loaded) from 2021 to 2025 in the EU, EU countries and some EFTA countries. For more details, please use the link to the source dataset code below the image. — Table 2: National road freight transport (loaded), 2021-2025
Source: Eurostat (road_go_ta_tott)

At EU level, international road freight transport decreased by 1.1% in 2025 compared with 2024, falling from 721.3 billion tkm to 713.5 billion tkm. The average annual growth rate was -1.0% between 2021 and 2025 (see Table 3). Close to two-thirds of the EU countries (18 out of 26) recorded negative average annual growth rate over this period, with particular large decreases observed in Bulgaria (-11.5%), Estonia (-10.3%), and Sweden (-7.2%). At the other end of the scale, among the 7 EU countries that recorded a positive average annual growth rate, Ireland had the highest rate (+11.9%), followed by Czechia (+7.4%), and Greece (+5.5%). Cyprus reported international transport performance of just 0.1 billion tkm in 2025.

Table showing the International road freight transport (loaded), from 2021 to 2025 in the EU, EU countries and some EFTA countries. For more details, please use the link to the source dataset code below the image. — Table 3: International road freight transport (loaded), 2021-2025
Source: Eurostat (road_go_ta_tott)

The share of international transport in the total road freight transport of a country varies considerably (see Figure 2). Among the EU countries, Lithuania recorded the highest share in 2024 (93.0%), followed by Luxembourg (92.7%), while in 2025 Luxembourg recorded the highest share (92.7%, followed by Lithuania (92.4%). Slovenia also recorded a high share in both years (87.7% in 2024 and 87.2% in 2025). The lowest shares were registered in Sweden (4.6% in 2024; 4.8% in 2025), Finland (6.4% in 2024; 5.7% in 2025) and Cyprus (7.1% in 2024; 6.3% in 2025).

Figure 2

When looking at the shares of the individual EU countries in total EU international road freight transport in 2025 (see Figure 3), Poland continued to account for the highest share in total tonne-kilometres, at 32.1%. International transport accounted for 60.0% of total road freight transport in tonne-kilometres in Poland in 2025, down from 64.2% in 2024 (see Figure 2). Spain was the second largest operator of international road freight transport in the EU, accounting for 12.3% of the EU total in 2025. The share of international transport in Spain’s total road freight transport performance decreased slightly from 32.6% in 2024 to 32.1% in 2025 (see Figure 2).

Figure 3

Figure 4 presents the shares of cross-trade and cabotage in international road freight transport measured in tonne-kilometres (tkm) for 2025. At the EU level, the share of cross-trade transport was 28.4%, while cabotage transport accounted for 7.1%.

In 7 EU countries (Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, and Slovenia), cross-trade transport represented more than 40% of international transport in tkm. Among these countries, Lithuania stood out with cross-trade accounting for 71.7% of its total international transport. For cabotage, Ireland recorded the highest share in international transport, at 27.3%. This was followed by Luxembourg (22.1%) and Lithuania (12.9%).

Figure 4

When looking at the distribution of total EU cross-trade transport performance in tkm between the different EU countries in 2025, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania recorded the highest shares in the EU total (see Table 4). Poland remained by far the main cross-trade transporter, accounting alone for 35.1% of total EU cross-trade transport. It was followed by Lithuania (21.6%) and Romania (9.2%). All other EU countries registered shares of less than 5.0% in total EU cross-trade.

In terms of the average share over the period 2021-2025, the highest shares were recorded in Poland (37.2%), Lithuania (19.5%), and Romania (8.5%). During this period, all other EU countries registered average shares of less than 5.0% of total EU cross-trade transport.

In 2025, Portugal increased its share of total EU cross-trade transport performance by 1.0 percentage points (pp) compared with 2024. Other EU countries with notable increases were Lithuania and Romania (+0.9 pp each), and Hungary and Slovakia (+0.3 pp each). In contrast, Poland recorded the largest decrease, with its shares falling by 3.0 pp, followed by Slovenia (-0.6 pp), Spain (-0.4 pp), and Luxembourg (-0.2 pp).

Road freight transport in tonnage and average loads

EU road freight transport measured in tonnes showed a negative growth over the period 2021-2025, decreasing from 13 648.9 million tonnes in 2021 to 13 256.1 million tonnes in 2025, with an average annual growth rate of -0.7% (see Table 5). The largest average annual decrease over this period were observed in Hungary (-6.2%), Finland (-6.0%), and Portugal (-5.9%). By contrast, the highest positive average annual growth rates were recorded in Cyprus (+12.3%), Italy (+5.6%), and Lithuania (+5.1%).

Between 2024 and 2025, total EU road freight transport increased by 1.8% in terms of tonnes carried. Transported tonnage increased in 16 EU countries, with the largest increases observed in Bulgaria (+11.9%), Italy (+10.7%), and Poland (+7.8%). In 10 EU countries, the transported tonnage decreased, with the largest falls recorded in Greece (-13.7%), Finland (-13.0%), and Luxembourg (-12.7%).

The 'average load' (in tonnes) presented in this article is calculated by dividing annual freight transport performance (in tonne-kilometres) by the corresponding laden distance travelled (in vehicle-kilometres), resulting in a value expressed in tonnes. At country and EU levels, this indicator provides information on the average weight of freight, in tonnes, carried per kilometre of laden distance travelled. The indicator is calculated separately for national, international, and total transport. For total transport, national and international tonne-kilometres are added together and then divided by the total laden distance travelled.

The EU average load for total transport was 14.4 tonnes in 2025, with average loads of 13.6 tonnes for national transport and 15.9 tonnes for international transport (see Figure 5). In 2025, Finland had the highest average load in international transport, at 21.8 tonnes, followed by France (18.5 tonnes), Greece (18.4 tonnes), and Spain and Portugal (18.0 tonnes each). Finland also had the highest average load in national transport, at 19.7 tonnes, ahead of Bulgaria (16.6 tonnes) and Sweden (15.8 tonnes). The average load in national transport in Slovakia was just 5.3 tonnes, 61.0% below the EU average.

Figure 5

Average distance travelled per tonne of load

The average distance over which 1 tonne of goods is carried has been calculated by dividing tonne-kilometres by tonnes for laden journeys only. This indicator provides information on the average distance travelled per tonne in each country and at EU level. The indicator is calculated separately for national, international, and total transport. For total transport, national and international tonne-kilometres for laden journeys are added together and then divided by the total tonnes transported.

In 2025, the average distance travelled per tonne in total road freight transport in the EU was 142.3 kilometres (km). By type of transport operation, the average distance was 97.5 km for national road freight transport, 593.5 km for international transport, 726.1 km for cross-trade transport, and 278.2 km for cabotage transport (see Figure 6a and 6b).

The average distance travelled per tonne for different types of transport in each EU country is generally influenced by the size of the country and its level of involvement in international transport, which typically involves longer distances.

Among the EU countries, the average distance travelled per tonne in total transport was substantially higher for hauliers from Lithuania than for those from most other countries, reaching 479.1 km in 2025. This reflects the importance of international transport for the Lithuanian road freight transport sector. For Lithuanian hauliers, the average distance travelled per tonne in national transport was 97.3 km in 2025, compared with 844.4 km for international transport, 793.6 km for cross-trade transport, and 394.5 km for cabotage transport.

At the other end of the scale, the average distance travelled per tonne was much lower for hauliers from Cyprus, at only 25.0 km in total transport in 2025.

Figure 6a

Figure 6b

Transport performance by distance class

At EU level, the largest share of total road freight transport performance in 2025 was carried out over distances between 300 and 999 km (41.4%). This was also the case for most EU countries (see Table 6). However, a few countries showed a different pattern in terms of transport performance by distance class. In some island countries and countries with large domestic markets, the share of road freight transport over short distances (less than 150 km) was higher: Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Austria.

In Cyprus, 89.2% of transport performance was carried out over distances of less than 150 km, in Ireland 37.6%, in the Netherlands 41.2%, and in Austria 38.3%. On the other hand, countries where international road transport plays a key role had a higher share of transport performance over long distances. Transport over distances of 1 000 km or more accounted for more than 40% of total tkm in Portugal and Lithuania (49.1% and 44.6%, respectively).

The overall trend and distance profile of a country can be assessed by analysing its figures across different distance classes. For distances of less than 150 km, Bulgaria recorded a notable increase of 25.3% between 2024 and 2025, while the largest decreases were recorded in Luxembourg (-14.7%) and Finland (-13.2%). For distances between 150 and 299 km, Cyprus (+57.6%) and Ireland (+16.1%) recorded the largest increases, while Finland and Luxembourg recorded decreases of 19.0% and 11.9%, respectively.

For distances between 300 and 999 km, notable increases were recorded in Ireland (+24.4%) and Croatia (+14.2%), while Belgium and Luxembourg recorded decreases of more than 10% (-14.1% and -12.2%, respectively). Lastly, for the distances of 1 000 km or more, Ireland and Portugal registered the highest increases: 45.9% and 18.3%, respectively. In contrast, Belgium, Luxembourg, Estonia, and Slovenia recorded the highest decreases in this distance class, at 59.3%, 31.2%, 26.5%, and 20.4%, respectively.

Empty runnings of road freight vehicles

Figure 7 presents the percentage of vehicle-kilometres travelled by empty vehicles in 2025. At EU level, around one fifth of total road freight vehicle-kilometres were travelled by empty vehicles (21.8%). This share was higher for national transport, at around one quarter (26.0%), whereas for international road transport, the share was 12.9%.

For total road freight transport, 17 EU countries recorded a share of vehicle-kilometres travelled by empty vehicles between 15% and 30% in 2025. The share in Cyprus was considerably higher, at 43.1%, which may be linked to the importance of goods imported through ports and construction related transport, both of which can involve empty journeys in one direction. The share of vehicle-kilometres travelled by empty vehicles was also well above the EU average in Austria (33.4%), Ireland, and Greece (33.3% each). At the other extreme were Denmark, with only 7.6% of vehicle-kilometres travelled by empty vehicles, Belgium with 10.1%, and Lithuania with 10.9%.

Empty vehicles accounted for a large share of vehicle-kilometres in national transport in almost all countries. In contrast, in international transport, almost all EU countries reported lower levels of empty running than in national transport. Only a few countries recorded shares of at least 20% of vehicle-kilometres travelled by empty vehicles in international transport in 2025: France and Austria (29.1% each), Germany (20.9%), Luxembourg (20.7%), and Ireland (20.0%). These figures underline the economic importance of securing loads for return journeys in international transport to minimise empty runnings.

Figure 7

Source data for tables and graphs

Road freight transport by journey characteristics

Context

Data presented in this publication were collected under Regulation (EU) No 70/2012 on statistical returns in respect of the carriage of goods by road (recast). These data are based on sample surveys carried out in the reporting countries, i.e., the EU countries, Norway and Switzerland, and cover road freight transport undertaken by vehicles registered in these countries.

Reporting countries use their own national surveys to collect data from road hauliers. The resulting microdata refers to vehicles and their linked journeys and provide detailed information on the goods transported. At European level, common aggregation procedures are applied which may diverge from national practices. Therefore, differences may occur between the figures presented in this publication and those published at national level.

Data sources

Country specific notes

Bulgaria and Romania: While Bulgaria and Romania had no obligation prior to accession in 2007, they started reporting data for the reference year 2006.

Croatia: While Croatia had no obligation prior to accession in 2013, it started reporting data from reference year 2008.

Malta: Regulation (EU) No 70/2012 does not apply to Malta, as long as the number of Maltese-registered goods road transport vehicles licensed to engage in international transport does not exceed 400 vehicles.

Finland: National and international surveys have been harmonised and follow a common methodology from Q1 2011 onwards, leading to a break in series in 2011.

Sweden: A break in series occurred in 2014 following a change in methodology. On the basis of a specific survey, Sweden corrected the European road freight survey results for trucks participating in the sample which were not in use over the surveyed period.

Methodological notes

EU totals calculated in this publication refer to road freight transport data reported by the 27 EU countries except for Malta which is exempt from reporting such data.

International transport loaded and unloaded: International transport as presented in this publication is based on goods loaded and unloaded in the reporting EU countries. Double counting is avoided since reporting relates only to resident carriers of the reporting countries: the figures sum up the goods transported by resident carriers to all other countries of the world and the goods brought into the reporting country by resident carriers from all other countries of the world.

Road freight transport performance in tonne-kilometres derives only from loaded journeys. Distances travelled by empty vehicles are not considered.

Explore further

Database

Transport, see:

Road transport (road)

Road freight transport measurement (road_go)

Transport, see:

Road transport (t_road)

Legislation

Regulation (EC) No 70/2012 on statistical returns in respect of the carriage of goods by road (recast)
Regulation (EU) No 1304/2007 of 7 November 2007 amending Directive 95/64, Regulation (EC) No 1172/98, Regulations (EC) No 91/2003 and (EC) No 1365/2006 with respect to the establishment of NST 2007 as the unique classification for transported goods in certain transport modes
Commission Regulation (EC) No 202/2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 6/2003 concerning the dissemination of statistics on the carriage of goods by road