Germany–Eastern Europe: which transit times companies should realistically plan for truck transports
How long does it take to drive a truck from Germany to Poland, Romania, Bulgaria or Ukraine? This is one of the most important questions when planning international transports. A general answer is difficult, however, because distance is only one of several factors.
The mode of transport, loading and unloading location, statutory driving and rest times, weekends, traffic and vehicle availability all affect the actual delivery date. For non-EU countries, border and customs clearance are added.
The
choice between a full truckload (FTL) and a part load (LTL) also makes a clear difference. While an FTL shipment usually goes directly to the consignee, LTL combines several shipments on one vehicle. For companies, what matters is therefore not the theoretically shortest driving time but a door-to-door transit time that can realistically be planned.
Which transit times are realistic for Eastern Europe?
Our transport practice shows typical time windows that companies can use as a guide for their delivery planning.
For truck transports from Germany, the following transit times can be roughly expected:
| Country / region of destination |
FTL |
LTL |
|
Poland, Czech Republic
|
approx. 1 day |
approx. 2–3 days |
|
Slovakia, Hungary
|
approx. 1–2 days |
approx. 2–4 days |
|
Slovenia, Croatia
|
approx. 2 days |
approx. 2–4 days |
|
Romania, Bulgaria
|
approx. 2 days |
approx. 3–4 days |
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo
|
approx. 3 days |
approx. 3–5 days |
|
Moldova, Ukraine
|
approx. 3–4 days |
approx. 5–6 days |
The figures for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Moldova and Ukraine already include the usual border clearance. The times given are practical guide values and not guaranteed delivery times. The place of departure and the destination remain decisive. A transport from Berlin to western Poland has different conditions from a run from Hamburg to south-eastern Poland. The same applies to larger countries such as Romania or Ukraine.
For a specific calculation, the full postcodes of the loading and unloading points should therefore always be taken into account.
Why do FTL and LTL transit times differ?
With an FTL full truckload, the vehicle is available for the shipment in question. After loading, the truck usually drives directly to the consignee. With an LTL part load, on the other hand, the available loading space is combined with other shipments. As a result, additional collection and delivery points can become part of the tour.
Planning a transport?
Send us the key details – we will get back to you the same day with a non-binding quote.
REQUEST A QUOTE
This explains, for example, why a full truckload to Poland can often be delivered within one day, while two to three days should be planned for a part load on the same route.
The advantage of LTL often lies in the transport costs. If a shipment needs only part of the loading space, a complete truck does not have to be used for it. Companies should therefore not only ask which option is faster. What matters is which balance between transit time, costs and the capacity required for the specific shipment makes sense.
Driving time is not the same as transit time
A common mistake in planning is to equate the driving time shown in a route planner with the transit time. For an international truck transport, this calculation does not work. Professional drivers are subject to statutory driving and rest times. In addition, loading and unloading, traffic, roadworks, driving bans and agreed time slots at the consignee can affect the process.
With an LTL shipment, further loading points may be added. For a transport to a third country, time for border and customs clearance must also be taken into account. The decisive figure for the shipper is therefore the time between the actual collection of the goods and their delivery to the consignee.
The loading day also affects delivery
In addition to the route and the mode of transport, the loading day plays an important role. A vehicle loaded on Monday morning has different conditions from a truck that only sets off on Friday afternoon. If a planned transit time runs over the weekend, statutory driving bans, mandatory rest periods or the consignee’s opening hours can affect the delivery day.
A transit time of two days therefore does not automatically mean that a shipment loaded on Friday can be delivered normally on Sunday. For time-critical transports, it should be clarified as early as the request when the goods are actually ready for collection and by when they must arrive at the consignee. A delivery window is often more helpful for dispatch planning than the general statement “as quickly as possible”.
Non-EU countries: the border becomes part of transport planning
For transports within the European Union, there is no regular customs clearance at the internal borders. The situation is different for deliveries to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Moldova or Ukraine. Here, border and customs procedures must be included in transport planning.
Our guide values already include a normal border crossing. Nevertheless, the actual situation at the border remains a factor that cannot be fully predicted. Heavy traffic, additional checks or problems with the transport and customs documents can prolong clearance. Especially for transports to Ukraine or Moldova, export, transit and import documents should therefore be fully prepared before departure wherever possible and agreed with the parties involved.
The shortest route is not always the fastest
In international transport, the number of kilometres is not the only factor that determines the optimal route. Within the EU, traffic conditions, roadworks or driving bans can make an alternative route sensible. For transports to third countries, the situation at the border crossings is added.
A border crossing that is geographically closer does not automatically mean the shortest overall transit time. Capacity utilisation, the competent customs offices and the onward route to the consignee can also be taken into account. Especially on longer routes to south-eastern Europe, Moldova or Ukraine, the route should therefore be considered as part of overall transport planning.
Transit time and lead time are two different things
These two terms are often confused in short-notice transport requests. Transit time is the period from the collection of the goods to delivery to the consignee. Lead time, on the other hand, is the time needed to prepare the transport in the first place: finding and scheduling a vehicle, agreeing loading and delivery dates and, where necessary, organising customs or special requirements.
An FTL shipment from Germany to Poland can, for example, have a transport time of about one day. However, this does not automatically mean that a suitable vehicle can be provided at the loading point at any time within a few hours.
For standard transports, short-notice organisation is often no problem. For ADR goods, temperature-controlled shipments, special vehicles or during periods of high seasonal demand, however, more lead time should be planned.
Planning a transport?
Send us the key details – we will get back to you the same day with a non-binding quote.
REQUEST A QUOTE
Practical example: Berlin–Poland
An example from our own practice illustrates this difference. For a shipment of medical equipment, a transport from 12555 Berlin to 37-724 Młyny in Poland was planned. The transport had already been prepared and transport insurance for the shipment had also been taken out. The planned shipping date was then postponed.
Although Germany–Poland is a comparatively short route and a transit time of about one day can typically be expected for FTL, the operational planning had to be adjusted. Vehicle scheduling, insurance and delivery date had to be aligned with the new loading day. The example shows that a short transport time does not automatically mean that the entire transport process can be postponed at short notice at any time.
The earlier changes to the loading or delivery date are known, the better the freight forwarder can respond.
When is an express or direct run worthwhile?
Not every shipment can be on the road for several days. For production material, spare parts or other time-critical goods, a regular LTL transit time may be too long. For smaller shipments, an express or direct run can be an alternative.
In this case, the goods are collected from the sender and transported directly to the consignee without the additional loading points typical of part loads. This can reduce the transit time considerably but usually results in higher transport costs. When planning, it should therefore be checked whether the fastest possible carriage is really necessary or whether a regular FTL or LTL transport within the desired delivery window is sufficient.
How can companies avoid delays?
Not every delay can be prevented. However, many problems can already be reduced before loading.
A complete transport request is the first step. It includes in particular:
- full loading and unloading location with postcode
- desired loading day and loading time window
- desired or latest delivery date
- number of packages
- dimensions and weight
- description of the goods
- special requirements such as ADR or temperature control
- information on customs clearance for non-EU countries
Changes should also be communicated as early as possible. If, for example, the loading day is postponed or the delivery address changes, this can affect the vehicle, the route and the delivery date.
The earlier such information is available, the more reliably the transport can be replanned.
Realistic transit times instead of theoretical best times
For transports to Eastern Europe, delivery planning should not be based on the theoretically fastest possible run. Realistic planning takes into account the specific route, the mode of transport, the loading day and the operational conditions along the way.
The distinction between FTL and LTL is particularly important here. A part load can be economically more attractive, but often needs additional time because several shipments are combined. For non-EU countries, border and customs procedures are added. Anyone who states the desired delivery date early and provides complete shipment data creates better conditions for a transport solution in which transit time and costs fit together sensibly.
Truck transports to Eastern Europe with MARTIN INTERNATIONALE SPEDITION GMBH
MARTIN INTERNATIONALE SPEDITION GMBH organises FTL, LTL, direct and express transports between Germany, Western Europe and Eastern Europe.
The countries we serve include Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria, as well as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Moldova and Ukraine. Depending on the route, shipment size, desired delivery date and special requirements, we check which transport solution is suitable for the shipment in question. In doing so, we consider not only the distance but also the mode of transport, the transit time, border clearance and the organisational lead time required.
Planning a transport?
Send us the key details – we will get back to you the same day with a non-binding quote.
REQUEST A QUOTE
