A direct drive with a mid-size van in Germany costs €1.00 to €1.50 per kilometer as a guideline – from €0.90 with a compact van, up to €1.90 with a 3.5 t box truck. Short routes carry a minimum price; from around 200 km the per-km rate drops noticeably. This guide shows the ranges per vehicle class, the five factors behind them and two worked examples – and where you get a binding instant price instead of guide values.
Per-kilometer prices by vehicle class
| Vehicle class | Guide price per km | Example 100 km |
|---|---|---|
| Compact van (up to approx. 600 kg) | €0.90–1.30 | €90–130 |
| Mid-size van (up to approx. 1 t) | €1.00–1.50 | €100–150 |
| Sprinter (up to approx. 1.2 t / 4 pallets) | €1.20–1.70 | €120–170 |
| 3.5 t box truck (up to 8 pallets) | €1.40–1.90 | €140–190 |
All values include the driver, net, excluding extras. The ranges are market guide values for direct drives within Germany – the actual price depends on route, time window and utilization. To pick the right class for your load, see van dimensions, cargo space and payload by class.
Why short routes cost more per kilometer
Every trip carries base costs that are independent of distance: approach, loading, unloading, paperwork. On a 15 km city run those costs spread across very few kilometers – which is why providers work with minimum prices there, typically €40–90 depending on the vehicle. From around 200 km the picture flips: base costs barely register anymore and the per-km rate approaches the lower end of the range. A 400 km run costs far less per kilometer than a 40 km run with the same vehicle.
The five price factors
- Distance. The main driver. What counts is the actual route, not the straight line – and whether the driver returns empty or has a follow-up load.
- Vehicle class. From compact van to 7.5-tonner: bigger vehicle, higher per-km rate. Oversizing wastes money – two Euro pallets don't need a box truck.
- Time window. Immediate pickup, a fixed delivery slot or a weekend run cost a surcharge. A flexible day window is the cheapest option.
- Weight and dimensions. They determine the vehicle class and extras such as a tail lift or a second person for carrying.
- Add-on services. Carrying help, waiting time at the ramp, refrigerated transport or extra stops come on top of the route price.
Two worked examples
The classic formula: per-km rate × distance + base costs + surcharges.
Example 1 – regional: 150 km with a 3.5-tonner: €1.10 × 150 km = €165 for the route, plus €40 base costs, plus €25 carrying help – around €230 in total.
Example 2 – national: 420 km with a Sprinter, four pallets, flexible day window: distance degression puts you at the lower end of the range, roughly €1.20 × 420 km = €504, plus €40 base costs – around €545 in total. Per kilometer that is cheaper than any city run.
When is a direct drive worth it?
Compared to groupage freight, a direct drive buys time and control: no transshipment, no hub, one driver from pickup to delivery – same-day arrival instead of two to four working days. That pays off whenever standstill costs more than the transport: the missing spare part on the production line, trade-fair goods, a contractual deadline. For non-critical standard shipments under 30 kg, a parcel service remains cheaper; for palletized goods without time pressure, groupage freight. More on the distinction: direct drives in detail and express courier for time-critical shipments.
From guide value to binding price
Guide values help with budgeting, but they are not binding. With Maxmove you enter route and vehicle and see the real, instantly bookable price in about 30 seconds – all surcharges included, no quote loop by email or phone. From the moment you book, live tracking and a digital proof of delivery run automatically, up to 7.5 t, refrigerated on request. Trying it costs nothing: calculate transport costs for your route.
