Once a container lands at Rotterdam or Hamburg, the inland leg can be the most expensive part of the journey per kilometre. The choice between road and rail depends on distance, deadline and how much CO2 you want to report.
When road wins
For distances under about 300 kilometres, or when the goods must arrive the same day, a direct truck is hard to beat on speed and flexibility.
When rail wins
Beyond 500 kilometres, intermodal rail is usually cheaper and cuts CO2 by up to 80 percent. Daily shuttles to inland terminals add only a day to the transit time, and the last mile is still done by truck.
The grey zone between 300 and 500 kilometres
Between these distances there is no automatic winner. Rail becomes attractive when you move steady weekly volumes and can plan a day ahead. Road stays the better choice for irregular loads, short notice bookings and deliveries with narrow time windows at the receiver.
A cost example
Take a 40 foot container from Rotterdam to Duisburg, about 230 kilometres. A direct truck delivers the same day and is usually the cheapest option. Now take the same container to Munich, around 850 kilometres. By rail with a short truck leg at both ends, the cost is typically 20 to 30 percent lower than a direct truck, with one extra day in transit and a fraction of the CO2.
Reliability and capacity in 2026
Driver shortages and road tolls based on CO2 emissions keep pushing truck rates up across Europe. Rail capacity is growing on the main corridors, but planned track works can cause diversions and delays. Ask your forwarder for the published works schedule so you can plan around it.
Reporting your emissions
More customers ask suppliers for the CO2 footprint of every delivery. Rail makes those numbers look much better, and a good forwarder reports the emissions per shipment based on recognised methods, so you can share them with confidence.
Combining both
The best setup is often a mix: rail for the steady base volume and road for urgent orders and peaks. Planning both from one desk means the container is always on the mode that fits that week, without rebooking or extra handling.
Written by
Sanne Jansen
Inland planning manager
