India Road Freight Transportation Market Assessment, By Destination, By Vehicle Type, By Carrier Type, By End-user, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, FY2018-FY2032F

India road freight transportation market is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.12% during the forecast period FY2025-FY2032F, growing from USD 102.09 billion in FY2024 to USD 152.22 billion in FY2032.

The road freight transportation market is growing due to the surge in e-commerce, which is driving demand for efficient and fast delivery solutions, especially in the last mile delivery, where road transport plays a key role. Companies rely on road cargo to meet these requirements as consumers are increasingly expected to deliver quickly. More efficient and economically effective road cargo results from GPS tracking and optimizing routes; more companies use this type of transportation. Urbanization and globalization expand market reach, which requires good networks of logistics to connect regions and support supply chains. Growth is facilitated by better infrastructure, especially good roads and highways with faster and safer transportation. Many companies also value the flexibility of road freight as it offers door to door service and access to remote areas that may not be accessible by other forms of transportation like rail or air. Consequently, the road freight market is expanding, driven by increased demand, technological advances, infrastructure investments, and the adaptability it offers to meet diverse logistical needs.

In August 2023, Ceva Logistics India Private Limited acquired 96% of Stellar Value Chain Solutions. Through this acquisition, it acquired over 7.7 million square feet spread over more than 70 facilities across 21 Indian cities and nearly 8,000 employees. CEVA further extends its footprint of contract logistics services in India. This comprises fully integrated, best-in-class omni-channel fulfillment for all industries. This deal will support the CEVA strategy for providing end-to-end supply chain solutions and operational efficiency to increase market presence and expand India's road freight transportation market with integrated advanced logistics capabilities, local assets, and expertise.

E-commerce to Fuel Road Freight Transportation Market

E-commerce is a key driver of growth in the road freight transportation market. With more consumers shopping online, companies need efficient logistics to meet demand for fast, flexible delivery. Road freight offers a reliable way to transport goods from distribution centers to final destinations, often providing same-day or next-day services that consumers expect. E-commerce requires frequent smaller shipments instead of bulk orders, making road transport ideal for handling high-frequency deliveries and last-mile logistics. As e-commerce expands into rural and remote areas, the need for flexible road networks grows, increasing the volume and reach of road freight services. This shift has pushed companies to invest in better technology and fleet expansions, further fueling the growth of the road freight market.

In November 2024, the Ministry of Society allocated USD 6 million as part of the PM electronic disk program to promote electronic trucks in India. This initiative is for trucks in average and serious cases that greatly contribute to the program. The integration of electronic paths will help respond to the Supreme Court directive to replace diesel trucks by January 2024, reduce pollution, reduce fuel costs and improve air quality. This change confirms the target emissions indicators in India by 2070 and widens the road transport market, making it more stable and efficient. The growth of e-commerce logistics driven by increasing demand for reliable deliveries will benefit from introducing electric trucks, enabling smoother, greener, and more cost-efficient logistics operations.

Infrastructure Development to Drive Market Growth

Infrastructure development is significantly enhancing the growth of the road freight transportation market. Investments in expanding and upgrading roads, highways, and bridges lead to smoother and faster travel routes, reducing transit times and fuel costs for freight operators. Improved infrastructure minimizes congestion and wear on vehicles, lowering maintenance expenses and increasing reliability in deliveries. These advancements support higher volumes of road traffic, allowing freight companies to handle larger shipments with greater efficiency. Additionally, the extension of highways to rural and underserved areas opens new markets for goods transportation, expanding the customer base for road freight services. With better-connected cities and regions, companies can optimize their supply chains, improving speed and cost-effectiveness, critical factors as demand grows. Consequently, infrastructure development is a foundation for the road freight market's expansion.

In August 2024, India is constructing 21 Greenfield expressway projects over 8,200 km, costing USD 45 billion under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. Significant progress has been made, but some packages face delays due to land acquisition issues. Key projects like the Delhi Mumbai and Delhi Amritsar Katra expressways aim to reduce travel time and improve connectivity. The government plans to create a distinct authority to manage expressways, enhancing project management. This infrastructure development will boost the road freight transportation market by providing efficient routes reducing travel time and improving logistics and supply chain operations.

Full Truckload Dominate Road Freight Transportation Market

The full truckload segment dominates the trucking market due to its ability to move large loads over long distances efficiently. FTL is ideal for businesses with large volume shipments as it reduces loading and unloading times, minimizes the risk of damage and allows for faster transportation compared to less-than-truckload shipments. This segment is particularly popular in industries such as manufacturing, retail, and agriculture, where large single-destination shipments are common with the growing demand for cost-effective and on-time delivery solutions, FTL remains the dominant choice, especially as businesses look for reliable options to optimize their supply chains and reduce overall delivery costs.

In August 2024, Om Logistics Limited strengthened its position in the logistics sector with the acquisition of Inland Container Depot in Bawal, Haryana, for USD 12.9 million. Strategically located in the Delhi-Bombay industrial corridor, the 20-acre facility includes two automated railway tracks, a 30,000 sqm parking area, and a 1,000 sqm car park. ft. of the customs warehouse and has the capacity to handle 5,000 EXIM cargo containers per month. With excellent connectivity to major ports, airports, and highways and advanced technologies such as GPS tracking and automated container systems, ICD Bawal will enable Om Logistics to expand its PAN India operations, reduce transit times, and optimize supply chain management. The acquisition will improve logistics efficiency, connectivity, and operational excellence to support the growth of the Indian road freight market.

Western Region Dominates India Road Freight Transportation Market Share

The western region of India dominates the road freight market due to its strong industrial base extensive road network and strategic proximity to major ports such as Mumbai and Jawaharlal Nehru Port. This prime location facilitates the efficient movement of cargo both domestically and internationally attracting significant logistics activity. The region's well-developed infrastructure supports large-scale cargo operations making it a preferred hub for manufacturing and trade. Major cities such as Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad are key business and trade hubs further driving demand for logistics services. In addition, the current state investment in infrastructure and connection continues to increase the efficiency and reliability of road transportation, guaranteeing the major positions in the western part of the Indian road category. Outside the city centers, the Asia-Pacific continues to lead global growth in road freight transportation.

In July 2023, The World Economic Forum's with Partners, moving India initiative, launched India's first zero-emission road freight cluster, aiming to deploy over 550 zero-emission trucks along Gujarat and Maharashtra's west coast within 18-24 months. Supported by India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and NITI Aayog's e-FAST India program, this initiative addresses the country's rising road freight demand, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly. Key ports in Gujarat and Maharashtra handle about 50% of India's total cargo, making the region ideal for this initiative. By fostering collaboration between the government and private sector, and deploying zero-emission trucks, the project enhances competition, lowers costs, and ensures sustainable growth, thereby significantly boosting India's road freight transportation market.

Future Market Scenario (FY2025 - FY2032F)

Increased adoption of autonomous vehicles, electric trucks and advanced logistics software will make it more efficient.

The growing concern over carbon emission will lead to the adoption of greener transport options including electric and hydrogen fueled vehicles.

More e-commerce growth will increase the demand for last-mile delivery services and thus lead to more localized distribution centers and innovative delivery methods.

Rapid urbanization and improvements in infrastructure will present new opportunities and challenges for road freight transportation, necessitating more efficient route planning and congestion management.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Companies are using many strategies in order to enhance efficiency and quality service in the growing road freight transportation market to stay competitive. Many of them invest in technologies to improve the efficiency of fleet management, promote significant fuel usage reduction and ensure timely deliveries by using GPS tracking, route optimization software and artificial intelligence. Companies are now focusing on various last-mile delivery solutions that will provide quicker and more flexible services to small, frequent shipments according to the increasing e-commerce demand. Road freight companies are expanding their service portfolios through multimodal transportation and strategic partnership building with logistics service providers and e-commerce leaders for enlarging their domains. Electric or fuel-efficient trucks are the other alternative changes companies make regarding transition, especially to decrease the operational costs that fit into the requirements of society to tackle environmental issues. Besides this, most road freight companies spend on training, automation and maintenance systems to ensure skilled labor and well-maintained fleets. They focus on innovation, cost efficiency and sustainability as ways to remain ahead of their competitors in a dynamic and demanding market.

In June 2024, Delhivery Limited introduced 20 Volvo LNG-powered tractor trailers marking a significant move towards sustainability in India's logistics sector by reducing carbon emissions and enhancing operational efficiency. LNG-powered trucks which produce lower emissions and offer potential long-term cost savings are being adopted to align with global sustainability goals. This transition supports the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' initiatives and contributes to India's national sustainability objectives. By leveraging advanced technologies and strategic partnerships, Delhivery's adoption of LNG-powered vehicles not only meets regulatory standards but also enhances the efficiency and environmental impact of India's road freight transportation market, promoting a cleaner and more sustainable logistics industry.