High-density rack with FIFO access from both ends, supporting high-velocity bulk storage.
Detailed Definition
Drive-thru rack is built like drive-in rack, with deep lanes where pallets rest on rails attached to the uprights, but each lane is open at both ends. Forklifts can load from one aisle and unload from the other, which allows first in, first out (FIFO) rotation. The trade-off is that it needs an aisle at each end, so it uses more floor space than drive-in rack for the same number of lanes. It suits large volumes of a limited number of SKUs that must rotate.
Drive-thru versus drive-in and flow rack
Drive-in rack has one entry per lane and works last in, first out. Drive-thru rack opens the back of the lane, so one side can be the loading face and the other the picking face, giving FIFO. Some sites also use drive-thru rack as a staging buffer between production and shipping. Pallet flow rack also gives FIFO, but pallets roll forward on inclined rollers instead of being moved by a forklift inside the lane. Flow rack reduces travel inside the structure but requires pallets that roll reliably and costs more per position.
Operating and pallet considerations
- Forklifts travel inside the rack, so uprights take more contact. Guide rails, trained drivers and regular inspection help limit damage.
- Pallets rest only on the side rails, so they must be strong, consistent in size and in good condition.
- The rack should be designed and rated under ANSI MH16.1, with load signs showing capacity per level.
- Traffic rules are needed when one end is used for put-away and the other for picking at the same time.
Plan lane depth around the quantity received per SKU, so lanes fill and empty cleanly without stranding a few pallets at the back.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
When is drive-thru rack better than drive-in rack?
Drive-thru rack is the better choice when stock must be rotated first in, first out, for example products with dates, or when the operation wants separate loading and picking aisles. Drive-in rack is cheaper in floor space because it needs only one aisle per block, so it is usually preferred when rotation does not matter. Both need sturdy, consistent pallets because the pallets sit on narrow rails.
Can different products share a drive-thru lane?
It is possible but usually inefficient. A lane is effectively a queue, so a pallet of one product can block access to another behind it. Most operations dedicate each lane to a single SKU and often a single lot, and size the lane depth to match typical receiving quantities. If many different products must be stored, selective rack or a mix of rack types usually gives better access.