LTL vs. Truckload (FTL): When to Use Each

One of the first decisions on any shipment is how to move it: less-than-truckload (LTL) or full truckload (FTL). Pick wrong and you either overpay for empty trailer space or cram freight into a mode that damages it. Here's how to choose.

The quick rule of thumb

• LTL — you're shipping roughly 1–6 pallets or under ~12–15 linear feet / ~10,000–15,000 lbs, and you can share a trailer with other shippers.
• FTL — you're shipping enough to fill (or nearly fill) a trailer, your freight is fragile or high-value and you don't want it handled, or you need a direct, faster transit.

How they actually differ

Cost

LTL is cheaper for small shipments because you only pay for the space you use — the cost of the truck is spread across many shippers. FTL costs more per shipment but far less per pound once you're moving a lot of freight, because you're not paying LTL's per-hundredweight rates and handling.

Handling and damage risk

This is the big one. LTL freight is loaded, unloaded, and cross-docked multiple times as it moves through terminals. Every touch is a chance for damage. FTL is typically loaded once and unloaded once — the trailer goes point to point. For fragile or high-value goods, that matters.

Transit time

FTL is usually faster and more predictable because it's direct. LTL routes through a hub-and-spoke terminal network, which adds days and variability.

The in-between: volume LTL and partial truckload

For shipments that are too big for standard LTL but too small for a full truck — say 7–15 pallets — ask about volume LTL or partial truckload. These can beat both standard LTL rates and full-truck pricing in the awkward middle zone.

A simple decision checklist

1. How many pallets and how much does it weigh? (Under ~6 pallets → likely LTL.)
2. How fragile or valuable is it? (High → lean FTL to minimize handling.)
3. How fast does it need to arrive? (Tight window → FTL.)
4. Is it in the awkward middle? (Get a volume/partial quote too.)