LTL vs. FTL: How to Choose the Right Freight Option

One of the most common questions shippers ask is whether to book a full truckload (FTL) or less-than-truckload (LTL) service.

As a rough guide, shipments under about six pallets or 10,000 lbs are usually candidates for LTL, where your freight shares trailer space and you pay for the portion you use. Larger shipments — or freight that fills more than half a trailer — typically move more economically as a dedicated truckload.

But size is not the only factor. FTL offers direct routing with no intermediate handling, which means faster transit and less risk of damage. For fragile, high-value, or time-critical freight, a dedicated truck is often worth the premium even at smaller volumes.

LTL shines for recurring smaller shipments where cost efficiency matters more than speed. Modern LTL networks are reliable, but freight is handled at terminals, so packaging matters.

Not sure which fits? Send us your shipment details — our team will price both options and recommend the right one.