LTL vs. Truckload Freight. What’s the Difference? (2024)

FAQs

LTL vs. Truckload Freight. What’s the Difference? ›

Truckload (Full Truckload Shipping or FTL) means that one shipping trailer contracts to one shipper, customer, or consignee. FTL shipments typically move from point A to B. Less than truckload (LTL) is a mixed trailer that contains freight from 2 or more shippers, customers, or consignees.

What Is LTL? Less Than Truckload, commonly referred to as LTL, is a mode of surface transportation that, like full truckload, uses semi trucks, but hauls multiple shippers' freight together on the same trailer. Ideal for shipments ranging from 1 to 6 pallets (or less than 12 linear feet).

An FTL shipment is usually faster than LTL because the shipping route is direct and less complicated. Shipping this way also minimizes damages from handling as the same container is carried from start to destination point without any transfer of goods.

Truckload: A full truckload shipment can range from 24 to 30 pallets and up. With truckload freight, the space your shipment takes up in the trailer has more of an impact than weight, so truckload shipments commonly range from 5,000 pounds to 45,000 pounds and up.

What is LTL Shipping? LTL Shipping, also known as “Less than truckload” shipping, is the shipment of freight weighing between 150 to 15,000 lbs that does not require a Full Truck Load (FTL) in order to ship.

Truckload and less than truckload are both excellent options for small business shipping. The transport of freight that doesn't require the entire space of a truck is also known as less than truckload (LTL) shipping, whereas full truckload (FTL) shipments take up the full space or weight limit of an entire trailer.

Standard LTL is used for shipments that do not take up the full cargo space in a truck. Generally speaking, LTL is for shipments that weigh more than 150 lbs. but less than 15,000 lbs., are no more than 10 pallets and no longer than 12 linear feet.

A truckload (TL) refers to a quantity of freight that is large enough to fill an entire trailer. This typically translates to somewhere in the region of 24 to 30 pallets or 20k – 45K lbs. for standard equipment and 46K – 50K lbs. for lightweight trailers.

Several variables, including fuel price, driver compensation, and maintenance, determine LTL freight costs. Due to a shortage of drivers in the industry, driver pay has increased to attract qualified workers. Your personal shipment cost is based on weight, density, classification, etc.

Third-party logistics LTL shipping can be incredibly cost-effective, eco-friendly, and helps you save on staffing and warehouse costs. However, it has a few drawbacks: less cargo security, time-consuming, and relatively higher damage risk.

Is FedEx Freight LTL or FTL? ›

(FedEx Freight is the first and only nationwide LTL carrier to offer this option.)

Usually, a shipment of items that is deemed less than a truckload contains between 1 and 6 pallets. Most freight companies specify the pallet dimensions they'll accept, and this may differ depending on the territories to which your products will be transported.

Truckload (Full Truckload Shipping or FTL) means that one shipping trailer contracts to one shipper, customer, or consignee. FTL shipments typically move from point A to B. Less than truckload (LTL) is a mixed trailer that contains freight from 2 or more shippers, customers, or consignees.

Generally, you should budget somewhere between 42,000 lbs and 44,000 lbs for a truckload. TIP: ask your carrier in advance if you're planning to be close to the weight limit for the vehicle.

How many pallets is a full truckload? In an FTL shipment, you can send around 26 regular full pallets, and even more if you're dealing with smaller-sized pallets.

In general, LTL tends to be more cost-effective for smaller shipments because this method allows the cost of an entire truck to be split among multiple shippers. But even shippers with smaller loads should keep FTL in mind in case LTL rates jump.

With LTL shipping, a shipper only pays for the portion of a truck that their goods take up, while shipments from other companies are paid for by those shippers. This helps save on costs while still getting valuable space in a trailer.

Unlike full truckload freight shipping — which utilizes the entire truck for one company's shipment — LTL is used when a shipment only occupies some (but not all) of the space on the truck.

Typically, freight is transported in trailers that are 48 to 53 feet long. These trailers can hold around 45 pallets or up to 43,000 pounds of goods. The freight needs to occupy more than half and up to a full capacity trailer to be considered a truckload.

Less-than-truckload, also known as less-than-load (LTL), is a shipping service for relatively small loads or quantities of freight—between 150 and 15,000 pounds.

What are the freight classes for LTL shipments? ›

There are 18 different classes LTL freight can ship under: 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 77.5, 85, 92.5, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 400 and 500. The higher the class, the higher the rate for every hundred pounds you ship.

LTL Maximum Weight and Size

LTL weight guidelines can vary from as little as 100 to as much as 10,000 pounds. Some carriers are willing to ship loads up to 20,000, although this is less common. FedEx accepts shipments of up to 15,000 pounds, but no individual piece or pallet can weigh more than 4,000 pounds.

FTL stands for full truckload shipping. That means booking an entire tractor trailer to pick up your load of freight and take it somewhere else. Most tractor trailers can fit 26 standard pallets – or skids – inside with a maximum weight limit of 44,000 lbs.

LTL rates are typically calculated using a weight-based scale. A unit of measurement known as the hundredweight (CWT), sometimes referred to as the centum weight, is used to factor pricing. The more a shipment weighs, the lower rate-per-hundred pounds it will have.

“LTL” means “less than truckload.” Less than truckload LTL shipping refers to a truckload shipping method used for transporting a shipment which is larger than a parcel but light enough or small enough that it doesn't require a full truckload.

With volume LTL, the product does not need to be crated or on pallets. Volume LTL shipping requires a freight class, whereas partial truckload shipment does not. Volume LTL carriers establish their price rates for shipments, whereas shipment prices for partial truckload shipment are based on market pricing.

Most shipping companies have an LTL pallet limit of six pallets per shipment, but some companies may accept more pallets under a volume shipment model.

FedEx^® LTL freight shipping options. To ship LTL freight with FedEx, you'll need an account. And when you open one, you'll save 70% on LTL shipments.