The Difference Between LTL & FTL Shipping

Ready for your crash course in LTL & FTL shipping? First thing’s first…

Less than load (LTL): A shipment that does not take up an entire truckload, usually between 100 and 100,000 pounds in weight.

Full truck load (FTL): Yup, you guessed it- this is a load that takes up the entire truck.

Alright, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, when planning your shipment, how do you choose the shipping method best suited for your cargo? There are a few primary factors to consider, such as price, shipment size, type of products being shipped and the time frame needed to ship to the destination.

The LTL skinny…

If you are a small business looking for the most cost effective way to ship a small amount of cargo or if you have a small load of sturdy goods, LTL could be your best bet. Since your load will not take up the entire truck, you only pay for space used and the rest of the truck will be filled with other, different shipments.

Pro: You save on space and money.

Con: It may take longer to ship goods because stops must be made along the supply chain to deliver others goods as well.

The FTL skinny…

FTL is a winning option if 1) your cargo is delicate and high-risk and 2) You have over 10 pallets of cargo to ship at once. With a full truck, you don’t need to worry about multiple stops along the supply chain, so less transfers means a quick, seamless delivery and less chance of cargo damage.

Pro: Perfect for shipping fragile goods and for fast shipping.

Con: You pay for the entire truck, regardless of how big your load is (not the most cost effective for small shipments).

Have questions about which shipping method is best for you? Contact US1 Network and we can help guide you through the process. Choose from a wide selection of OTR trucks and equipment, whether you’re looking for climate controlled settings, heavy haul and more.