In the crisis and post-crisis periods, in conditions of uncertainty and risk of new socio-economic normal, the problem of finding opportunities for economic growth and directions of strategic development of transport enterprises, in particular road transport, is especially relevant. The aim of the study is to provide an empirical, analytical and conceptual basis for the development strategy of road transport companies taking into account the modal features of freight transport in the European Union, as well as informing the scientific community and the public about quantitative and qualitative parameters of the European transport market, patterns of change in macroeconomic indicators. Achieving this goal requires an analysis of the general parameters of the EU freight market compared to similar indicators of the transport system of Ukraine. The study proposed and used a methodological approach that involves the use of relative and specific indicators (market share, network density, average transport distance), includes grouping (if necessary, two-iteration) of countries depending on the value of indicators and focuses on their comparison in Ukraine and EU countries. According to the results of benchmarking, a number of prognostic conclusions and substantiated assumptions about the prospects of further development of the freight market of Ukraine, which, taking into account the global socio-economic context, outline general trends and detail the directions of internal and external transformations of road transport enterprises. The proposed approach can become more meaningful through a combination of macroeconomic scenarios. Substantiation of probable scenarios and determination of directions of necessary changes will allow motor transport enterprises to realize economic potential more effectively, to make optimal use of competitive advantages, to increase cost, to become more flexible and at the same time more resilient in the conditions of new crises and risks.