Freight answersFTL
LTL vs. FTL: Which Should You Use?
Short answer
Use LTL when your freight fills only part of a trailer and can be handled at terminals along the way; you pay for your share by class and weight. Use full truckload when the freight needs the trailer to itself, should move direct and sealed, or is big or heavy enough that a dedicated truck costs about the same or less. In between, carriers offer volume LTL priced on the space used.
Side by side
| LTL | Full truckload (FTL) | |
|---|---|---|
| Trailer | Shared with other shippers' freight | Reserved for one shipper, full or not |
| Handling | Loaded and unloaded at terminals several times | Loaded at origin, sealed, driven to destination |
| Pricing basis | Class, weight and lane, per hundredweight, plus accessorials | The truck and the lane |
| Typical size | One LTL tariff defines LTL as under 20,000 lb | Up to the trailer's space and legal weight |
Sources: FHWA,[1] RXO,[2] Estes[3] and FedEx Freight.[6]
RXO sums up the handling difference: with full truckload the shipper "pops a seal on the trailer and the driver takes the product straight to the destination," while LTL freight is "loaded and unloaded in-and-out of trailers and warehouses several times."[2]
The middle ground: volume LTL
Shipments too big for standard LTL but short of a full trailer are often quoted as volume LTL or partial truckload. There is no industry standard threshold. Estes, for one, describes volume loads as 5,000 lb or more, or at least 8 linear feet of trailer;[4] a logistics provider gives a rule of thumb of more than 5,000 lb, six pallets or more, and 12 to 32 linear feet.[5]
Example
A shipper has 10 pallets, 9,000 lb, going to one distribution center. As standard LTL they would be rated by class; as volume LTL, on the space they take; as a truckload, they would ride alone and direct. The shipper asks for all three quotes and weighs price against handling: fragile freight may be worth a dedicated truck even when LTL is cheaper.
Limitations
Thresholds and pricing differ by carrier, and the cheapest option changes with the lane and the market.
Related
Related terms
- Less-Than-TruckloadLess-than-truckload (LTL) is freight shipping in which several shippers' shipments share one trailer, each...Glossary
- Full TruckloadFull truckload (FTL) is a shipment that has a trailer to itself, usually moving directly from pickup to...Glossary
- Freight ClassFreight class is the category from 50 to 500 that the National Motor Freight Classification assigns to a...Glossary
- Freight ConsolidationFreight consolidation is combining several smaller shipments into one larger load, such as several LTL...Glossary
- Dry VanA dry van is an enclosed, non-refrigerated box trailer for general freight; the 53-ft dry van is the most...Glossary
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Sources
- Federal Highway Administration, Office of Freight Management and Operations, “Freight Glossary,” Government glossary. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- RXO, “LTL vs. FTL: Don't Ship Without Learning the 7 Key Differences,” Industry publication. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- Estes Express Lines, “What is LTL freight shipping?,” Carrier resource page. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- Estes Express Lines, “Volume and Truckload Services,” Carrier service page. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- Redwood Logistics, “Volume Quotes vs. Traditional LTL Shipments,” Industry publication. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- FedEx Freight, “FedEx Freight 100-Y Rules Tariff (effective January 5, 2026),” Carrier rules tariff. Published January 5, 2026. Accessed September 30, 2026.
General operational information, not legal, customs or regulatory advice. Rules and rates change; confirm current requirements with the agency, carrier or contract that governs your shipment.