Road transportation

Road transportation is a fast and flexible transportation mode, offering door-to-door service to virtually all destinations.

Transportation by road accounts for 84% of all freight transportation within the Netherlands, 32% of all international freight transportation and 22% of transportation between Rotterdam and inland destinations and points of origin. Nearly 43% of all goods in Europe are transported by road, and about 8% of all cross-border road transportation of goods within the European Union (EU) is carried out by Dutch transport companies.

The Netherlands has an extensive, modern and well-maintained road and highway network that integrates seamlessly into the European one. And with around 12,000 transport companies ranging from very small, one-truck operations to large international players, ample services are available.
The Dutch transport industry has an excellent reputation, and thanks to free competition and minimal government intervention, Dutch transport companies offer the best price-quality ratio for transportation and distribution services in Europe. 

Study results reveal that the Netherlands has retained its lead in road (FTL and LTL) transportation (1).

Transport tariffs to and from the Netherlands tend to be lower than in the other countries surveyed, making Dutch inbound (air, ocean, and barge) and outbound (road) transport industries more attractive to customers.  

Road congestion is and will continue to be perceived as a problem in Western European countries in general, especially in port areas. The Rotterdam area was one of the first ports affected by this but also seems to be at the vanguard in devising solutions to this issue. Rotterdam was the first port in Europe to have a dedicated rail connection with the hinterland (Betuwelijn). Rotterdam is also very active in establishing inland container transfer points.

Source: DAF Trucks N.V.

 1 High quality, competitive costs, NDL/HIDC 2007