The last mile defines how a package travels from a final hub to the recipient’s doorstep. This major step sets brands apart because a smooth, timely drop-off increases satisfaction and reduces unnecessary returns.
Logistics and scheduling tools can direct each mile to shrink time on the road and reduce confusion for the driver. The industry growth says it all: Grand View Research estimates that the global last-mile delivery market will grow at 8.8% annually from 2022 (USD 132.71 billion) to 2032.
What defines success is how a few key metrics perform.
The right technology turns insights into smarter, more efficient operations, resulting in targeted results in key areas.
We’ll discuss this below.
10 Key Last-Mile Delivery Metrics to Track
The metrics discussed below offer clues that direct improvements in the last mile delivery. They focus on areas that waste resources or risk customer satisfaction.
Following each data point closely helps your business build a smoother final leg for every order.
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First Attempt Delivery Success Rate (FADR)
FADR shows the percentage of packages that reach their recipients on the first visit. Research suggests that 20% of first-time deliveries fail, and that leads to extra fuel, labor, and annoyance for both senders and buyers.
A high FADR also means that customers availing the contact details of drivers, enabling them to plan their schedule and avoid delivery failure.
Then, there’s a digital proof of delivery from Zeo Route Planner, which provides photo and signature verification that helps track completed for both drivers and customers to reduce disputes.
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On-Time Delivery Rate (OTDR)
OTDR tracks the number of orders that arrive within the stated window. Late shipments can damage reputations or cause churn, so brands monitor timeliness closely.
OTDR (%) = Number of On time Deliveries / Total Order Shipped * 100
Clear driving instructions, real-time road updates, and fast communication between drivers and central teams all play a role. Any setback slowing down a driver might require instant changes to maintain trust. Therefore, there are instant message notifications between dispatchers, drivers, and customers to update on ETA changes or route modifications.
An ideal solution is to use solutions like Zeo Route Planner’s real-time tracking for real-time GPS monitoring. Dispatchers can track drivers, spot hold-ups, and adjust routes dynamically to prevent late deliveries.
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Delivery Cost per Order
The cost per order is calculated by dividing total expenses by the volume of shipments to see how much they spend per parcel. This cost will cover driver wages, vehicle upkeep, fuel, and any external charges.
A major contributor to high delivery costs is inefficient route planning when drivers take longer or suboptimal routes, fuel consumption increases, vehicle wear and tear accelerates, and more labor hours are required per delivery.
Cost Per Order = Total Cost / Total Number of Orders
One way to reduce these costs is by leveraging Zeo Route Planner’s route optimization tool. It automatically sequences stops in the shortest and most fuel-efficient route, helping cut unnecessary travel, reduce fuel consumption, and optimize driver hours.
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Order Accuracy Rate
This metric reflects the number of orders that arrive with the right products and quantities. Errors during picking or labeling result in complaints and extra costs.
Accuracy demands scanning each item at key steps in the process—from the warehouse to the delivery vehicle. When you plan last-mile delivery with ZEO Route Planner, you can input delivery addresses in multiple ways, such as importing them through Excel, image OCR, QR/barcode scanning, or manual entry.
Also, with parcel management, you can verify photos and get unique stop IDs so that the correct items are packed and delivered to minimize disputes and misdeliveries. The real-time parcel tracking can enhance accuracy, reducing errors before dispatch.
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Driver Capacity Utilization
A powerful metric involving human resources that gauges how many parcels or tasks each driver can handle without overloading or leaving unnecessary gaps. Too much idle time means money wasted, while pushing workers too hard risks burnout and missed deadlines.
A right balance requires assigning trips based on distance, drop volume, and driver skill with regular workloads reviews to keep job fair across the fleet.
Using the driver management platform from Zeo Route Planner, ensure that the right number of tasks are assigned per driver based on availability, workload, and capacity for an even distribution of deliveries. -
Automated Delivery Status Updates
Customers value consistent and precise information of their shipment’s path. This particular metric checks how quickly and accurately messages are sent when parcels are in transit or delivered.
Missed updates can create confusion or extra calls to support lines, while strong update systems keep recipients in the loop, which boosts brand image.
Zeo Route Planner’s automated delivery update provides real-time tracking, driver location sharing, and branded notifications to customers so that they stay informed at every stage of the delivery process. It reduces inquiries, improves transparency, and enhances overall delivery efficiency. -
Real-Time Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) Accuracy
ETA accuracy measures whether the projected arrival matches reality. Delays can occur from traffic, weather, or last-minute stops. Here’s a quick look at the impact on ETA.
More precise estimates let recipients plan, reduce ambiguity, and avoid unnecessary waiting. Zeo Route Planner’s ETA Updates provide real-time updates based on live road conditions, vehicle location tracking, and automatic recalculations. This feature allows businesses to share dynamic arrival estimates with customers via notifications.
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Navigation Efficiency
Navigation steps impact travel times and fuel usage. So, monitor whether drivers follow mapped routes wherein frequent deviations signal flawed directions or incomplete driver training.
Good navigation insights ensure that vehicles avoid unnecessary mileage, providing a consistent approach to route adherence. This keeps delivery times predictable and less stressful.
The ZEO route planner’s seamless navigation offers turn-by-turn directions, voice guidance, and offline map access so drivers can follow the assigned route even without an internet connection. -
Route Optimization & Analytics Impact
It’s a metric that determines the difference between expected and actual distances, times, and overall output. Ongoing analytics can demonstrate recurring slowdowns whereby any emerging patterns across certain zip codes and deeper analysis help dispatchers plan better.
A good idea is to use Zeo Route Planner’s route analytics, which evaluates trip performance and inefficiencies. These analytics give teams clear insights into how to adjust plans for future deliveries.
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Driver Compliance & Productivity
When drivers are aligned with assigned routes and daily goals, productivity remains steady. A mismatch between planning and real actions can lead to lost hours or half-finished deliveries. You can also monitor factors like vehicle position, start-end times, and any unplanned stops.
Zeo Route Planner’s mobile app for drivers monitors each run and records start times, missed stops, and deviations. This helps managers identify and correct inefficiencies in real time. Drivers can edit routes on the go for flexibility while keeping supervisors informed.
The mandatory stop cancellation feature ensures transparency by requiring reasons for missed stops, helping optimize planning and accountability.
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Conclusion
Overall, last-mile results can change customers’ perceptions of your brand thanks to speed and accuracy. Tracking the key metrics we discussed above offers a path toward better resource usage, stronger customer trust, and fewer missed opportunities.
These ten metrics highlight ways to spot unnecessary costs, correct route inefficiencies, and keep drivers working at a comfortable pace. By
To simplify day-to-day tasks and optimize last-mile delivery, use Zeo Route Planner.
Book a free hands-on trial today to improve dispatching, scheduling, and general operational flow. We can show you how it all works.
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increase fuel savings
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Optimize routes with our algorithm, reducing travel time and costs efficiently.
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