If you’re shipping a few pallets of boxed inventory, crated equipment, or other business freight and don’t need a full trailer, LTL shipping may be the right fit.
LTL shipping offers companies another option for freight service when a load requires truck transportation, but doesn’t need the whole truck. However, LTL freight is handled in several different ways than a dedicated delivery, and those differences can affect timing, handling, and cost.
What LTL shipping means
LTL shipping, short for less-than-truckload shipping, is a freight service where shipments from multiple businesses share trailer space. Each shipment uses only part of the trailer rather than reserving the whole vehicle.
There is no universal pallet count or weight range that defines every LTL shipment. Carrier limits vary, so the shipment’s weight, dimensions, commodity, and space requirements all matter.
How does LTL compare to full truckload?
LTL and full truckload describe how trailer capacity is used.
| LTL shipping | Full truckload | |
| Trailer space | Shared with other shippers | Dedicated to one shipment |
| Routing | May be directed through terminals and transfers | Typically travels more directly |
| Best fit | Freight that uses only part of a trailer | Freight that needs most or all of a trailer, or a dedicated vehicle |
| Pricing | Commonly affected by class, weight, dimensions, lane, and accessorials | Commonly affected by lane, equipment, market conditions, and shipment requirements |
The right option for your freight depends on more than pallet count. Shipment size, deadline, handling requirements, pickup and delivery access, and the value of reducing transfers can all affect the decision.
A1 Xpress provides trucking and freight delivery for business shipments, including partial loads that don’t need a full truck.
How many pallets is considered LTL compared to a full truckload?
There is no universal pallet cutoff for LTL shipping. One pallet can be sent by LTL, and several pallets may still qualify. The carrier looks at the shipment’s total weight, dimensions, trailer space, commodity, and its own operating limits.
How LTL shipping works
Booking LTL is less like reserving a truck and more like buying space within a freight network. The carrier coordinates your shipment with other freight moving through that network, which lets businesses ship smaller loads without paying for an entire trailer.
Sharing trailer space keeps smaller loads economical
Your freight travels in the same trailer as shipments from other businesses, allowing the cost of that truck to be spread across multiple loads.
Because your freight is sharing space with other loads, carriers need accurate weight, dimensions, pallet or piece count, and packaging information when quoting an LTL shipment. How they’re packaged is also important; your freight will be handled alongside other loads. Pallets, crates, and other secure packaging help protect the shipment as freight is loaded and repositioned throughout the trip.
Terminal transfers mean your freight may be handled more than once
Unlike a dedicated delivery that can stay on one truck from pickup to destination, traditional LTL freight may travel through carrier terminals along the way. At those facilities, shipments are sorted by destination and transferred onto trucks heading toward the next part of the route.
That means an LTL shipment may need to be loaded and unloaded as other deliveries reach their destination. For the shipper, that makes secure packaging especially important and can also mean a longer transit window than a direct shipment.
When is LTL the right choice for your freight?
LTL usually makes sense when:
- The freight does not require most or all of a trailer.
- The shipment can travel within the carrier’s normal transit window.
- The freight can be packaged to withstand handling within a shared network.
- The pickup and receiving locations can accommodate the equipment needed for the shipment.
A smaller load does not automatically mean LTL is the best option. If the freight has a hard same-day deadline, requires fewer transfers, or needs a vehicle to travel directly from origin to destination, dedicated same-day delivery or rush delivery may fit the job better.
Is LTL cheaper than full truckload?
For a smaller load, LTL is often less expensive because the business does not reserve an entire trailer. That does not make LTL cheaper in every case, though. Freight class, lane, accessorials, handling requirements, and timing can change the comparison.
What are the factors that affect the cost of an LTL quote?
Traditional LTL pricing generally looks at factors like the freight class, shipment characteristics, and any services required beyond standard pickup and delivery.
Freight class
Many LTL carriers use the National Motor Freight Classification, or NMFC, when rating freight. NMFC freight classes range from 50 to 500 and are based on density, handling, stowability, and liability.
A shipment’s class can impact its rate, but freight class is not a universal pricing requirement for every freight service. Carrier tariffs and pricing methods vary.
Weight and dimensions
Weight and dimensions tell the carrier how much capacity the shipment uses and, when relevant, help determine its density. Measurements should include the complete shipping unit as tendered, including the pallet, crate, or other packaging.
Accurate measurements are key to an accurate quote, as traditional LTL carriers may reweigh or reclassify freight when the information provided at booking does not match the shipment. That can mean delays in shipment and budget overages for businesses.
Accessorials
Traditional LTL carriers may charge separately for services or conditions that fall outside of their standard pickup and delivery scope. Depending on the carrier, that can include liftgate service, inside delivery, delivery appointments, limited-access locations, detention, or other handling requirements.
To make sure you have the full picture, ask what’s included in the freight service before booking. A1 Xpress uses flat-rate pricing with no added charges for weight, wait time, or fuel surcharges. Our freight pricing guide explains the questions to ask when comparing carrier quotes.
Need help choosing the right freight service?
The right option for your freight depends on the size of the load, how quickly it needs to arrive, and your shipment’s handling requirements. If you’re not sure if you should consider LTL with a dedicated truck, A1 Xpress can help you.
Call 732-431-9112 for a flat-rate quote or learn more about our trucking and freight delivery services.