U.S. Last-Mile Leaders Win on Control, Not Speed, FarEye Research Finds

High-control operators achieve 95% on-time performance; speed-first operators report 24% median cost inflation

CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. delivery operators are entering a phase where control and predictability are emerging as stronger performance differentiators than speed, according to FarEye research.

Eye on the Last Mile America 2026 draws on more than 500 U.S. delivery operators and over 3,000 data points. It finds median year-over-year cost per delivery increased 12% in 2026, while 88% say delivery costs are growing at the same pace as revenue or faster.

"The last mile is fundamentally about control. As supply chains become more distributed across carriers, couriers and gig providers, companies need to orchestrate the network as one. Technology, carriers and processes matter, but when something changes, the ability to connect everything and respond quickly ultimately determines the customer experience. That's what stood out in FarEye's findings and my conversations with industry leaders at the conference."
- Nick Costides, C-Level Advisory, Former Global President of IT, UPS

The research identifies a 'speed penalty.' Operators prioritizing the fastest possible delivery report 76% on-time performance and 24% median cost inflation. In contrast, high-control operators achieve 95% on-time performance, compared with 65.5% among low-control operators, despite both groups reporting the same median investment level.

"The last mile is becoming a test of orchestration, not investment. The companies that get this right won't just deliver better — they'll grow without their cost base growing with them," said Kushal Nahata, CEO & Co-Founder, FarEye.

The report was unveiled at Last Mile Leaders America 2026, held August 26–28 at The Gwen in Chicago. Read the report: REPORT LINK

The findings also show that 55.7% of operators prioritize predictable delivery or first-attempt success, compared with 11.4% prioritizing the fastest possible delivery.

About FarEye

FarEye is an AI-Powered Delivery Management System (DMS) for the last mile & order-to-door logistics. FarEye is a partner for companies obsessed with a superior delivery experience for their customers, while driving efficiency gains, sustainably with smarter delivery orchestration.

Our vision is to ensure every delivery in the world reaches its destination every time, on time, accurately, efficiently, and as sustainably as possible.

FarEye has 150+ customers across 30 countries and seven offices globally.

FarEye, First Choice for Last Mile.

SOURCE FarEye Technologies Pvt. Ltd