Van or Artic? Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your Delivery
Booking the wrong-sized vehicle is one of the most common — and most expensive — mistakes in logistics. Too small and your goods won't fit or need a second run; too big and you're paying for empty space.
Here's a practical guide to the UK road fleet and which vehicle suits which job.
Vans: small, fast and city-friendly
Small and medium vans (up to around 1.4 tonnes) are ideal for parcels, single pallets and urgent same-day jobs, especially in towns and cities where access matters. They're the cheapest option per mile and the easiest to get into tight delivery points.
Luton and 7.5-tonne: the versatile middle ground
A Luton van — often with a tail lift — is the go-to for house moves, furniture and several pallets without loading-bay access. Step up to a 7.5-tonne lorry when you have a larger consignment but don't need a full HGV, or where weight or city access rules out a bigger truck.
18 to 26-tonne rigids: serious capacity, still nimble
Rigid lorries from 18 to 26 tonnes carry substantial payloads while staying more manoeuvrable than an artic. They're a strong choice for multi-drop distribution rounds and deliveries to sites that an articulated lorry simply can't reach.
44-tonne articulated: full loads and long hauls
When you're moving a full load or running trunk routes between distribution centres, the 44-tonne artic is the most cost-effective vehicle on the road per pallet or per tonne. Pair it with the right trailer — curtainsider, box, flatbed or fridge — to match your goods.
Still not sure? Tell us the load, not the vehicle
If you're unsure, describe your goods, weight and destinations and we'll recommend the most economical vehicle from our verified carrier network. You can also pick a vehicle in our instant quote tool to see the price for each option side by side.
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