LTL vs. FTL Shipments: Understanding the Differences in Trucking Distribution
LTL vs. FTL—what’s the difference in truck shipping modes, and why should you care? As business owners distributing freight, understanding these basic trucking terms is essential for multiple reasons. It prevents you from overpaying in shipping rates, delaying delivery times, and risking freight damage while in transit.
In this guide, we’ll compare LTL and FTL trucking so you can choose the appropriate shipping mode and ensure your commodities are transported properly.
What is FTL and LTL?
FTL and LTL stand for full truckload and less-than-truckload, respectively. They’re shipping terms to describe the different trucking modes when distributing commodities.
LTL vs. FTL: What Are the Differences in Truck Shipping Modes?
Below, we’ll explain the key differences between LTL vs. FTL and why it’s important for business owners to understand when shipping freight.
Truckload Capacities
As the name suggests, truckload vs. less than truckload refers to the capacity the freight truck can carry based on size, weight, and sometimes pallets, depending on the carrier.
FTL shipping fills the truck to full capacity at a minimum of 10,000 lbs on average by a single shipper. LTL shipping may also fill the truck to full capacity, at a minimum of 100 lbs to 10,000 lbs on average, with multiple shippers. However, it’s not always filled to capacity and may have empty space.
Carrier Transit Times
Because FTL trucking doesn’t share the space with other shippers, its transit and delivery times are faster with direct routes. In contrast, LTL trucking shares the space with other shippers, requiring carriers to make multiple stops to pick up freight while in transit, resulting in longer routes and delivery times.
Shipping Rates
While FTL trucking may seem like the superior shipping option as it’s quicker, it results in higher costs as you’re occupying the total fleet. LTL trucking has lower shipping costs because you’re paying for a portion of the space.
Truck shipping rates are calculated based on various factors, including:
- Distance
- Fuel prices
- Freight density
- Liability (hazardous materials, heavy loads, fragile commodities, etc.)
- Lead time (pre-scheduled vs. rushed shipments)
- Stowability (loading/unloading difficulty)
- Truck type (dry vans, flatbeds, refrigerated trucks, etc.)
The national average of trucking rates ranges between $2.30 and $3.19 per mile. When deciding between FTL and LTL shipping, consider your budget and timeline.
If your shipments aren’t urgent or oversized, you can save on costs with LTL trucking. If your shipment timelines are less flexible and have heavy freight, FTL trucking will deliver them faster but at a higher price.
Freight Fragility
In addition to freight weight and classification, its fragility is a major factor to consider when comparing FTL and LTL trucking.
If you want minimal handling with high-fragile commodities, it’s best to choose FTL shipping. This shipment mode reduces the risk of your freight becoming damaged while in transit because it gets loaded and unloaded once.
While this doesn’t mean LTL carriers will damage your freight while in transit, the chances do increase with this shipping mode if it isn’t properly handled. Since it shares the truckload with other shippers, your commodities will be more frequently handled to accommodate the space for them.
Additionally, LTL trucks may have empty space, potentially causing freight to shift while in transit if they’re not safely secured.
For example, fragile freight like flowers or time-sensitive commodities like dairy that require temperature-controlled and specialty handling are best for FTL trucking. Durable freight like packaged, non-perishable foods and clothing that don’t require careful handling or expedited shipping can use LTL carriers.
Optimize Your Shipments with Lone Star Logistics LTL and FTL Freight Forwarding
Still can’t decide if FTL or LTL trucking is the right option for you? Let us help you.
At Lone Star Logistics, we’ll recommend the best shipping mode based on your freight details, timeline, and budget to ensure you feel confident before they’re transported. We have a diverse range of truck fleets and industry experience to increase logistics efficiency while remaining cost-effective.
We even offer end-to-end premium freight forwarding from the warehouse to the final destination, so you always know where your goods are with one partner.
Ready to optimize your freight shipments?
Learn more about our freight forwarding services or get a free quote today!
