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Freight Road Transport in the UK - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2025-2029)

Adriana De Azevedo Adriana De Azevedo London, United Kingdom Last Updated: July 2025 SIC UK-H4923

Revenue

£554.8bn

2025-26

£567.1bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XX.Xbn

Employees

6m

Businesses

1m

Wages

£XXX.Xbn

Freight Road Transport in the UK industry analysis

The Freight Road Transport industry operates the most extensive transport network of all freight modes, providing much-needed flexibility and the convenience of door-to-door haulage. The industry has historically offered faster and more reliable delivery times and less damage to goods than other freight methods, making it popular. According to Eurostat, over the past decade, road freight transport has outpaced rail freight transport in the EU, Europe’s second most popular mode of transportation. Yet, low barriers to entry have reduced the market share concentration and created a more fragmented industry, with enterprise numbers climbing over the past decade. Digitisation has proven to be a significant game changer, boosting efficiency and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Trends and Insights

  • Heightened fuel prices limit growth. Total freight rates have increased but not enough to exceed soaring inflation across Europe. Low business confidence and weakened industrial activity have also hindered industry growth.
  • National freight transport continues to dominate the market. Germany, Spain, France, Italy and Poland are the countries with the largest distance of transported good through national road freight transport.
  • Economies of scope and large contracts impact concentration. Larger companies have the resources and capabilities to offer more services and can better negotiate and win lucrative contracts. Yet, the industry still comprises thousands of small and medium-size businesses operating regionally.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Freight Road Transport industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

The market size of the Freight Road Transport industry in the United Kingdom is £554.8bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Freight Road Transport industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

There are 1m businesses in the Freight Road Transport industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.4 % between 2020 and 2025.

Has the Freight Road Transport industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Freight Road Transport industry in the United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Freight Road Transport industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Freight Road Transport industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What does the Freight Road Transport industry in the United Kingdom include?

National transport and International loaded and unloaded transport are part of the Freight Road Transport industry in the United Kingdom.

How competitive is the Freight Road Transport industry in the United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Freight Road Transport industry in the United Kingdom.

Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2015-2030
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Table of Contents

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Lorry drivers must comply with EU Regulation 561/2006. This regulation lays down rules on driving times, breaks and rest periods for drivers of lorries, coaches and buses to improve working conditions and road safety. Increasingly stringent emission regulations will impact diesel vehicles.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Freight Road Transport in the UK industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

Volatile fuel prices cause purchase costs to soar. Over 2022, the world price of crude oil jumped by almost 40%, pushing up fuel prices and purchase costs. Some companies charge their clients input costs and an additional management fee to protect profitability.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Freight Road Transport in the UK industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and bottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2025)
  • Business Growth (2025)
  • Job Growth (2025)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2025)
  • Imports/Demand (2025)
  • Exports/Revenue (2025)
  • Revenue per Employee (2025)
  • Wages/Revenue (2025)
  • Employees per Establishment (2025)
  • Average Wage (2025)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

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