What Affects the Cost of Last Mile Delivery?

There is no single price for last mile delivery, because no two deliveries are alike. A single boxed lamp to a front door and a refrigerator carried up three flights of stairs and installed are very different jobs. Professional Moving Solutions quotes each delivery based on the details below, so you pay for the work your item actually needs. This page explains what moves the price and what to send us for an accurate quote.

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What determines the cost of last mile delivery?

The cost of last mile delivery is set by the distance from pickup to delivery, the size, weight and number of items, the access at both ends, the service level you choose, any assembly or installation, any storage before delivery, and how soon you need the delivery. A straightforward threshold drop is the simplest job. Full white glove service, with two-person crews, unpacking, placement in the room of choice, assembly and packaging removal, takes more people and more time, so it is quoted accordingly.

We do not publish flat rates, because a number that fits one delivery will be wrong for the next. Instead, we ask a few questions about the item and the address, and we quote the job.

The six factors that shape your quote

Factor	What we look at	Why it matters
Distance	Pickup and delivery locations, local or state to state	Longer routes take more driving time, and nationwide moves are planned as freight
Size and weight	Dimensions, weight and item count	Heavier and larger items need more people, equipment and truck space
Stairs and access	Stairs, elevators, narrow halls, long carries, parking	Hard access slows the carry and can call for extra crew or protection
Assembly and install	Unpacking, assembly, installation, debris removal	Setup work adds crew time at the delivery address
Storage	Time held before delivery	Items held in our Richmond warehouse take up space until the delivery date
Timing	Requested date and appointment window	Tight windows and busy periods affect how routes are built

Distance and delivery location

Distance is the most visible factor. A delivery across town is planned differently than a delivery several states away, and the destination matters as much as the miles: dense city neighborhoods, rural addresses and tall buildings each change how a crew plans the stop. Give us the pickup and delivery ZIP codes and we will build the route from there.

We deliver nationwide, with local last mile coverage in markets such as [Richmond, VA](/locations/richmond-va), [Baltimore, MD](/locations/baltimore-md), [Edison, NJ](/locations/edison-nj) and [Houston, TX](/locations/houston-tx). See all [service areas](/locations).

Size, weight and item count

Big and bulky does not mean one thing. A sectional sofa, a treadmill, a commercial washer and a crated mirror each need different handling. Weight and dimensions decide how many people have to carry the item, what equipment is needed and how much room the item takes on the truck. Multiple pieces, such as a full dining set or a whole room of furniture, take more time than a single item even when each piece is light.

Tell us the dimensions and weight if you have them, or send the product name and model number and we can look it up. Photos help for anything unusual.

Stairs, access and building rules

Access can change the price more than distance does. Stairs, narrow doorways, tight turns, long carries from the truck and no nearby parking all add time. Apartment and office buildings may require freight elevator reservations, loading dock hours, certificates of insurance or a specific delivery window.

How many flights of stairs, and whether there is an elevator
Door and hallway widths for large pieces
Distance from the truck to the room where the item goes
Loading dock, freight elevator or building insurance requirements
Whether parking is available at the address

Assembly, installation and debris removal

The service level you choose decides how much work happens after the truck stops. [Threshold delivery](/threshold-delivery) brings the item just inside the door. [White glove and room-of-choice delivery](/white-glove-delivery) carries it to the room you pick, unpacks it, assembles it and removes the packaging. For appliances, [installation and haul-away of the old unit](/appliance-delivery) can be added to the delivery.

Each added task takes crew time, so it is quoted with the delivery rather than added at the door. Tell us up front what you want done, and we will plan for it.

Storage and timing

If the delivery address is not ready, we can hold your items in our Richmond, VA warehouse until you are. Storage is quoted based on how many items we hold and for how long, and it is a good fit for new builds, store openings and rollouts. See [warehousing and rollouts](/warehousing-and-rollouts) for how it works.

Timing matters too. A flexible delivery date gives us more room to build efficient routes, while a tight appointment window or a short-notice date leaves less room. Busy periods such as the holidays can also affect scheduling, so booking early helps. We are available 24/7 by phone at 1-866-216-7742.

How to get an accurate quote

The more detail you send, the more accurate the quote. Include as much of the following as you can:

What you are delivering, with dimensions, weight and item count
Pickup and delivery addresses or ZIP codes
Stairs, elevators and any building rules at each end
The service level you want: threshold, room of choice or white glove
Assembly, installation or debris removal needs
Whether you need storage before delivery
Your preferred delivery date or window
Photos of the items or the delivery area if they help

Related services

Learn more about the services that go into a last mile quote:

Frequently asked questions

How much does last mile delivery cost?

It depends on the distance, the size and weight of the items, the access at each address, the service level, any assembly or storage, and your timing. We quote each delivery after reviewing those details rather than publishing a flat rate.

What makes last mile delivery cost more?

Longer distances, heavy or oversized items, stairs and difficult access, assembly or installation, debris removal, storage before delivery and tight delivery windows all add crew time or planning work, which is reflected in the quote.

Is white glove delivery more expensive than threshold delivery?

Usually, yes. White glove delivery includes two-person crews, unpacking, placement in the room of your choice, assembly and packaging removal, so it takes more time than a threshold drop just inside the door.

Do stairs change the price of delivery?

They can. Stairs and long carries change the crew plan and the time a delivery takes, so tell us about them when you request a quote and we will include them.

Can you store my items before delivery?

Yes. We offer storage in our Richmond, VA warehouse until your delivery address is ready, and quote it based on how many items we hold and for how long.

What do I need to send to get an accurate quote?

Send the item details with dimensions and weight, the pickup and delivery addresses, any stairs or building rules, the service level you want, any assembly or storage needs, your preferred date and photos if helpful.

Get a last mile delivery quote

Tell us what you are delivering and where. Call 1-866-216-7742, available 24/7.

Get a quote 1-866-216-7742