Two of the most common questions in freight are “do I need a whole truck?” and “am I paying for space I’m not using?” The answer is the difference between LTL and FTL — less-than-truckload and full-truckload.
Less-than-truckload (LTL)
LTL means your freight shares a trailer with other shippers’ loads. You pay for the space and weight you use, not the whole truck, which makes it cost-effective for smaller shipments — typically anywhere from a pallet or two up to roughly half a trailer.
The trade-off: LTL freight is consolidated and often handled more than once, moving through cross-docks between pickup and delivery. That adds transit time and more touch points.
Full-truckload (FTL)
FTL means the entire trailer is dedicated to your shipment. It’s the better fit when you have enough volume to fill (or nearly fill) a trailer, when your freight is fragile and you want to minimize handling, or when speed matters — an FTL load generally goes straight from origin to destination.
How to choose
- Volume: a few pallets lean LTL; most of a trailer leans FTL.
- Speed: FTL is usually faster — fewer stops, no consolidation.
- Handling: fragile or high-value freight does better as FTL (fewer touches).
- Budget: LTL spreads cost across shippers; FTL costs more but buys the whole trailer.
A few terms that affect LTL pricing
- Freight class / density: lighter, bulkier freight generally costs more per pound.
- Accessorials: liftgate, inside delivery, appointment or residential delivery add charges.
- Dimensions and weight: accurate numbers prevent reweigh and re-class fees.
If you’re not sure which way your shipment falls, give a carrier the pallet count, total weight, dimensions and the lane — that’s usually enough to quote both options and show you the real difference.
Frequently asked questions
At what point should I switch from LTL to FTL?
There’s no hard cutoff, but once you’re filling roughly half a trailer or more — or your freight is fragile or time-sensitive — FTL often becomes the better value once you factor in handling and transit time.
Is LTL always cheaper than FTL?
For small shipments, usually yes, because you only pay for the space you use. But as volume grows, or when accessorial charges stack up, FTL can end up comparable or cheaper per unit.
Have freight that fits this?
Talk to dispatch for a straight answer on equipment, timing and rates.