LTL vs FTL: What’s Right for Your Shipment?

Choosing between LTL (less-than-truckload) and FTL (full truckload) comes down to space, speed, and risk. Match your shipment's size and sensitivity to the realities of each network.

LTL shares a trailer with other shippers and passes through terminals. That keeps pricing efficient for smaller loads but adds handling and variability.

FTL dedicates the trailer to your freight from pickup to delivery. There are fewer touches, and routing is point-to-point — typically faster and more predictable.

Cost drivers: LTL rates use freight class, density, lane, and accessorials (liftgate, limited access, residential, appointment). FTL pricing is market-based — miles, lane balance, seasonality, and equipment type.

When to choose LTL: a few pallets, flexible delivery windows, and robust packaging. When to choose FTL: time-critical or fragile/high-value loads, or when you're using a large share of the trailer.

Quoting checklist: dimensions and weight per pallet, total pallet count, stackable or not, NMFC class if applicable, pickup/delivery constraints, and any special equipment needed.

Takeaway: compare total landed cost plus service reliability — sometimes FTL becomes competitive when you approach a large share of trailer space.