A new report finds that Italy leads Europe in freight transport volumes, driven by a dense road infrastructure and a dynamic trucking industry. However, official EU figures appear to undervalue Italy’s actual road freight activity: estimates suggest the real volume ranges between 30.4 and 37.4 billion vehicle-kilometers—nearly twice the numbers reported by the EU.

Highways remain the core of freight movement in Italy, ensuring rapid access to ports and rail hubs. Yet, stark regional differences persist. In regions like Sicily and Calabria, reaching an intermodal terminal can take over two hours, compared to much shorter travel times in northern areas.