The short answer
Full truckload (FTL) means your freight gets a trailer to itself. Less-than-truckload (LTL) means your freight shares a trailer with other shippers and you pay for the space you use.
As a rule of thumb, smaller shipments of a few pallets are usually cheaper as LTL, while large, heavy, fragile or time-sensitive shipments are usually better as FTL. The details below help with the loads in between.
Shipment size and weight
LTL typically covers shipments from about 150 lbs up to around 15,000 lbs, often 1 to 6 pallets. A standard 53-foot dry van holds roughly 26 standard pallets on the floor, so once your shipment takes up a large share of the trailer, FTL often becomes the better value.
Cost
LTL pricing is based on weight, distance, freight class and any extra services. You only pay for your share of the trailer, which keeps costs down on small shipments.
FTL is priced for the whole truck on your lane, so the cost per pallet drops as you fill the trailer. For larger loads, FTL can cost less than shipping the same freight LTL.
Transit time and handling
An FTL load is picked up and driven directly to its destination, so transit is faster and more predictable. LTL freight usually moves through terminals where it is unloaded and reloaded with other shipments, which adds time and more handling.
If your freight is fragile, high value or on a tight deadline, the direct route and single loading of FTL is often worth it.
Quick checklist
Choose the option that matches most of these points:
- LTL: 1 to 6 pallets, flexible delivery date, sturdy packaging, lowest cost for a small shipment
- FTL: 10+ pallets or over about 15,000 lbs, tight deadline, fragile or high-value freight, fewer touches
- Not sure: send the details and a freight agent will price both options