A system and method for consolidating messages in a network comprising an access node coupled to a computer and a plurality of radio nodes coupled to sensing devices, such as a utility meter, is disclosed. Inbound message consolidation includes a radio node receiving two or more inbound messages that are consolidated. The radio node wirelessly transmits the consolidated message to a radio node logically closer to the access node or directly to the access node if the access node is within the transmission range of the radio node. The access node extracts the individual messages from the consolidated message upon receipt. For outbound messages, the access node consolidates original messages having common routes and transmits the consolidated message to a last node in the common route. The last node in the common route splits the consolidated message into the original messages and transmits each one to a destination radio node.