Road freight transport across the European Union reached 1,886 billion tonne-kilometres (tkm) in 2025, a 0.9 per cent increase from the previous year, according to Eurostat. The total weight of goods transported rose by 1.8 per cent to 13.3 billion tonnes, driven largely by growth in national transport operations despite declines in cross-trade and cabotage.
Dominant Freight Markets and Regional Concentration
Five member states accounted for over two-thirds of the EU’s total road freight activity, highlighting a clear concentration of logistics demand. Poland led the bloc, recording 381.0 billion tkm—representing 20.2 per cent of the total. Germany followed with 277.4 billion tkm (14.7 per cent), while Spain, France, and Italy rounded out the top five, contributing 14.5 per cent, 9.2 per cent, and 8.6 per cent respectively, according to Eurostat data.
Did you know?
Germany acts as a central hub for European logistics, serving as either the origin or destination in six of the ten largest freight flows across the EU.
Shift in Transport Modalities
National transport remains the backbone of the EU road network, representing 62.2 per cent of all activity. This segment saw a 2.2 per cent year-on-year increase. Conversely, cross-border strategies are shifting; while international transport saw a modest 0.3 per cent rise, cross-trade activity declined by 3.7 per cent, and cabotage operations fell by 3.0 per cent.
Top Intra-EU Freight Corridors
The largest route by weight is between Germany and the Netherlands, totaling 86.9 million tonnes. This is followed by the Germany-Poland route at 68.4 million tonnes and the Belgium-France connection at 55.9 million tonnes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which country leads the EU in road freight volume?
Poland holds the largest share, accounting for 20.2 per cent of the EU’s total tonne-kilometres. - Is cross-border freight increasing?
While international transport saw a minor 0.3 per cent increase, specialized cross-trade and cabotage activities actually declined in 2025. - What is the most common type of road freight?
National transport is the most dominant, comprising 62.2 per cent of total activity.
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