In road freight, a "milk run" is a route or delivery schedule that includes many stops to pick up or drop off products at various places. The word is supposed to derive from the practice of milk delivery trucks making many stops to collect milk from farmers and deliver it to clients in cities. A milk run is used in road freight to make frequent deliveries to multiple clients with smaller loads, which is more efficient than making separate journeys for each customer.
The primary purpose of a Milk Run is to optimize transportation efficiency by consolidating multiple shipments into a single trip. Instead of individual deliveries or pickups, a carrier follows a fixed route, collecting goods from multiple suppliers or delivering them to multiple customers in a systematic manner.
By combining shipments and maximizing vehicle capacity, a Milk Run helps reduce transportation costs, minimize empty backhauls, and improve overall logistics efficiency. It also promotes collaboration among suppliers and customers, as they can share the transportation resources and benefit from cost savings.
In addition, a Milk Run can enhance supply chain reliability and reduce lead times by establishing regular pickup and delivery schedules. It provides a predictable and efficient logistics solution, especially for industries with frequent and repetitive shipments, such as automotive, retail, and manufacturing.
