How much do you know about full truckload freight?

How much do you know about full-truckload transportation in China?

Full-truckload transportation nationwide refers to highway freight. Let us explore its development. 

The Development of Full-Truckload Transportation in China 

Highway transport and railway transport are both land-based transport modes. Unlike railway transport, full-truckload transportation can operate independently, moving goods between any two points via trucks and roads. It serves as an important mode for both short and long distances, as well as an essential auxiliary for water, air, and railway transport, facilitating connections between docks, stations, and shippers while handling the heavy task of cargo collection and distribution. 

Highway transport began in the late 19th century. With advances in automotive manufacturing and road conditions, it grew rapidly after World War II. In the 1960s, highway construction boomed first in the United States and then worldwide, significantly improving road networks. Meanwhile, developments in automotive engineering provided reliable support, with new, safer, and high-performance passenger and freight vehicles driving the industry forward. By the 1970s, developed countries had largely shifted from rail to road as the primary land transport mode. In 1999, the global road network reached 27.7 million kilometers, establishing road transport as the dominant mode and a key enabler of modern door-to-door logistics. 

Road transport in China began in 1917 with the establishment of the first motor transport company. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, investment in road construction increased, spurring rapid growth. 

With the reform and opening-up in 1978, especially the deregulation of road transport in 1984, road freight became the first transport mode to embrace a market economy. In the 1990s, China experienced a peak in road construction, with networks developing rapidly. In 1999, China's total road length was only 1.35 million kilometers, less than 22% of the U.S. (which had 6.3 million kilometers, accounting for 23% of the global total). However, by 2008, China's road network reached 1.87 million kilometers, ranking second only to the United States globally. 

At the same time, China's commercial vehicle fleet surged. From 1990 to 2004, the number of operational trucks increased from 313,000 to 10,671,800, a 33-fold rise. In the 21st century, road construction remains a strategic priority. Plans emphasize strengthening national trunk highways, establishing the "five vertical and seven horizontal" network, and continuously enhancing road connectivity. Additionally, expressway construction has accelerated. 

On January 13, 2005, China's State Council Information Office announced the National Expressway Network Plan, stating: "The national expressway network aims to establish an integrated transport system and accelerate highway modernization... It primarily connects large and medium-sized cities, including national and regional economic centers, transport hubs, and major border ports. It facilitates rapid passenger and freight movement between regions, provinces, and major cities, providing efficient, convenient, safe, comfortable, and sustainable service..." The planned network combines radial routes centered on the capital with a grid of horizontal and vertical corridors, targeting completion within 30 years to form channels radiating from central cities and connecting east-west and north-south routes. 

The network consists of 7 radial routes, 9 north-south corridors, and 18 east-west thoroughfares, abbreviated as "7918", spanning a total of 85,000 kilometers—68,000 kilometers of main lines and approximately 17,000 kilometers of regional loops and connectors. 

Today, road transport is widely used, and full-truckload transportation is a common choice across many industries. 

Our company specializes in nationwide full-truckload transportation, offering various vehicle types such as box trucks, flatbeds, high-sided trucks, and refrigerated trucks, with lengths including 4.2m, 6.8m, 9.6m, 13.5m, and 17.5m. We provide door-to-door domestic full-truckload services, ensuring safe and fast transport. Contact us for inquiries and orders! 

Zhuhai Bofeng Logistics National Full-Truckload Hotline: 13075678958 Manager Huang