Choosing between LTL (Less Than Truckload) and FTL (Full Truckload) shipping is one of the most common decisions in freight logistics. The right choice depends on your shipment size, timeline, budget, and tolerance for handling risk. This guide compares both modes across every factor that matters so you can make the right call for each shipment.
Definitions
LTL (Less Than Truckload): Your freight shares trailer space with shipments from other shippers. You pay for the space your freight occupies rather than the entire truck. LTL shipments typically weigh between 150 lbs and 10,000 lbs and take up 1 to 10 pallet positions.
FTL (Full Truckload): Your freight occupies the entire trailer — no other shippers share the space. You pay for the full truck regardless of whether you fill it completely. FTL shipments typically weigh over 10,000 lbs or require more than 10-12 pallet positions.
Key Differences
| Factor | LTL | FTL |
|---|---|---|
| Shipment size | 150 - 10,000 lbs (1-10 pallets) | 10,000+ lbs or 10+ pallets |
| Pricing basis | Weight, dimensions, freight class, distance | Per-mile or flat rate for the entire truck |
| Transit time | 3-7 days (includes hub stops) | 1-3 days (direct delivery) |
| Handling | Multiple touches (pickup, terminal transfers, delivery) | Minimal handling (loaded once, unloaded once) |
| Damage risk | Higher (multiple loading/unloading events) | Lower (freight stays in place from origin to destination) |
| Tracking | Available but less granular | Real-time GPS tracking common |
| Minimum charges | Minimum weight charge applies | Full truck rate regardless of fill |
How LTL Pricing Works
LTL pricing is more complex than FTL because it depends on multiple factors:
- Freight class — the NMFC classification of your commodity (Class 50 through Class 500), determined by density, handling, stowability, and liability
- Weight — heavier shipments cost more in absolute terms but less per pound
- Dimensions — oversized pallets or non-standard dimensions may trigger dimensional weight pricing
- Origin and destination — lane distance and density affect rates
- Accessorial charges — liftgate delivery, inside delivery, residential delivery, limited access locations, appointment scheduling, and hazmat handling
LTL carriers publish tariffs (rate tables), but most business shippers negotiate discounts off the tariff — discounts of 60-85% are common for regular shippers. The published tariff rate is not what anyone actually pays.
How FTL Pricing Works
FTL pricing is simpler — you pay for the entire truck:
- Per-mile rate — the most common pricing model. Current rates for dry vans range from $2.00-$3.50/mile depending on lane, season, and market conditions.
- Flat rate — a fixed price for the load regardless of distance. Common for dedicated lanes.
- Fuel surcharge — an additional per-mile charge tied to the DOE national average diesel price
FTL rates fluctuate with supply and demand. Spot market rates can swing 20-40% seasonally, while contract rates provide more stability.
When to Use LTL
LTL makes sense when:
- Your shipment weighs under 10,000 lbs or fits on fewer than 10 pallets
- Cost is a priority over speed — LTL is cheaper than booking a full truck for a small shipment
- Timing is flexible — you can accommodate the 3-7 day transit window
- Shipments are frequent but small — regular LTL shipments are more cost-effective than booking half-empty FTL trucks
Typical LTL costs: $200-$3,000 per shipment depending on weight, distance, and freight class. For a 1,000 lb shipment moving 500 miles, expect $300-$600.
When to Use FTL
FTL is the right choice when:
- Your shipment weighs over 10,000 lbs or fills more than half a trailer
- Time-sensitive delivery — FTL runs direct without terminal transfers, cutting transit time to 1-3 days
- Fragile or high-value freight — fewer touches mean less damage risk
- Temperature-controlled cargo — reefer loads almost always ship FTL
- The math works — when your LTL cost approaches the cost of a full truck, FTL gives you faster transit, less handling, and no freight class complexity
Typical FTL costs: $1,500-$7,000+ per load depending on distance, equipment type, and market conditions. A 500-mile dry van load typically costs $1,500-$2,500.
Partial Truckload: The Middle Ground
Partial truckload (PTL) fills the gap between LTL and FTL. If your shipment weighs 5,000-25,000 lbs and fills a significant portion of the trailer but not all of it, partial truckload can offer:
- Better pricing than FTL (since the carrier can fill remaining space with other partials)
- Fewer touches than LTL (your freight typically stays on the same truck from origin to destination)
- Faster transit than LTL (no terminal consolidation stops)
Not all carriers offer partial truckload as a distinct service — it often requires working with specialized providers or negotiating with FTL carriers who will discount for partial loads.
Damage Risk Comparison
LTL shipments are loaded and unloaded multiple times as they move through the carrier's network:
- Pickup from your dock
- Delivery to the origin terminal
- Transfer to a linehaul trailer
- One or more terminal-to-terminal transfers (cross-docking)
- Transfer to the delivery trailer
- Delivery to the consignee
Each handling event introduces damage risk. Proper packaging and palletizing reduce this risk, but it never drops to zero.
FTL shipments are typically loaded once at origin and unloaded once at destination. The freight does not move inside the trailer during transit. This makes FTL strongly preferable for:
- Glass, electronics, and fragile goods
- Unpalletized or irregularly shaped cargo
- High-value shipments where a damage claim would be costly
How to Decide
Use this decision framework for each shipment:
- Weight and size — Under 10,000 lbs and 10 pallets? Start with LTL pricing. Over? Go FTL.
- Get both quotes — For shipments in the 5,000-15,000 lb range, get both LTL and FTL quotes. The crossover point varies by lane.
- Factor in transit time — If the shipment is needed in 1-2 days, FTL is likely the only option.
- Assess damage risk — High-value or fragile freight? FTL is worth the premium.
- Consider frequency — If you ship the same lane weekly, a dedicated FTL contract may offer better rates than repeated LTL shipments.
Managing LTL and FTL in Your Operation
Whether you are a carrier, broker, or shipper, managing both LTL and FTL shipments requires a system that handles:
- Rate comparison across modes
- BOL generation and document management
- Shipment tracking and status updates
- Invoice reconciliation and audit
A TMS (Transportation Management System) consolidates all of this into one platform, reducing manual work and improving visibility across your shipments.
Key Takeaways
LTL and FTL are not interchangeable — each serves a specific purpose. LTL saves money on smaller shipments when timing is flexible. FTL delivers speed, security, and simplicity for larger loads. For mid-size shipments in the 5,000-15,000 lb range, always compare both options before booking. Factor in not just the freight cost but the total cost including damage risk, transit time, and handling complexity.