Last Mile vs. Last Yard Delivery: What’s the Difference?

Last mile delivery has been at the forefront of the logistics industry, enhancing the delivery process across enterprises. While the last mile is fantastic, going the “extra mile,” if you will, is even better. Enter last yard delivery, the true final stage of the delivery process. An increased focus on last yard delivery has brought new workflows and automations to the table, giving your team the resources to easily streamline your delivery process. Here, our team discusses last mile vs. last yard delivery, their benefits and challenges, and how you can leverage last yard delivery for your business.

What is Last Mile Delivery?

Last mile delivery refers to the last leg of the delivery journey, getting a package from the closest warehouse or hub to the customer, or in the case of an enterprise, to the employee. Generally speaking, last mile delivery is completed through the following steps:

1. The employee places an order to the business
2. Order arrives at the company warehouse, distribution center, or mailroom
3. Mailroom staff transfer orders to the delivery personnel 
4. Items are scanned onto the delivery vehicle
5. The courier receives proof of delivery from the recipient (employee)

With last mile delivery, the scope does not have to focus on an exact mile, but rather the last steps to the recipient, whether it be less than a mile or multiple miles across your enterprise campus. Last mile delivery accounts for 40-50% of logistics costs, meaning an inefficient process can lead to significant long-term financial strain for your business.

What is Last Yard Delivery?

Last yard is an extension of last mile delivery, placing packages exactly where the consumer is rather than to an end location that may require additional steps. Let’s take a large enterprise office space, for example. Last mile delivery may mean delivering packages to the loading dock of the office, so the package still needs to go through some process to reach the employee. Last yard delivery would be delivering this package directly to the employee’s desk, so no additional step is required. Last yard delivery is growing significantly to improve employee satisfaction, minimize errors such as misplaced, lost, or stolen packages, and enhance security and compliance.

Challenges in Last Mile and Last Yard

While similar, there are some distinct differences between last mile and last yard delivery. Each faces its own set of challenges but also has its own unique benefits. However, as facilities technology continues to expand, the value of last yard delivery is becoming increasingly clear. One of the major differentiators between last mile and last yard deliveries is the logistics challenges they face. Because last mile focuses on a broader range, some of its main challenges are focused on route optimization and package security. Remember, last mile does not mean the package is in the hands of the customer; rather, it has been delivered to a designated space, such as a mailroom in a large building or a warehouse offsite, and can result in stolen or misplaced packages. 

Additionally, urban areas or facilities with construction face route challenges, making timely deliveries difficult. While last yard delivery can face some of the same challenges last mile deliveries do, their main challenges come from building access, recipient availability, and verification. Because last yard deliveries are commonly completed when the package actually meets the intended recipient, ensuring schedules and verification are aligned can be a challenge.