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LTL freight shipping

LTL — less-than-truckload — is how you move pallets that don’t fill a whole trailer: your freight shares the truck with other shippers’ freight, and you pay only for the space you use. It is the backbone of B2B shipping for anything from one pallet to about six.

What is LTL freight?

LTL carriers consolidate freight from many shippers onto one trailer and move it through a network of regional hubs. Because you only book the space your pallets occupy — rather than a whole truck — LTL is far cheaper than full truckload for small shipments. The trade-off is more handling (your freight is transferred between trucks at hubs) and slower transit than a direct full truckload.

How LTL pricing works

An LTL rate is built from a handful of inputs. In rough order of impact:

  • Freight class — the NMFC density-based rating (50–500) and usually the biggest factor. Calculate it with the freight class calculator.
  • Weight & dimensions — carriers bill the greater of actual and dimensional weight.
  • Lane — origin and destination ZIP codes and the distance between them.
  • Accessorials — liftgate, residential, inside delivery and appointment fees.
  • Fuel surcharge — a percentage that moves with diesel prices.

LTL vs FTL vs partial

LTL suits 1–6 pallets. Once you fill most of a trailer (12+ pallets or ~15,000 lb), full truckload (FTL) — a flat rate for the whole truck, shipped direct — is usually cheaper and faster. Partial truckload sits between the two. See the full breakdown in LTL vs FTL: which should you use?

How to ship LTL, step by step

  1. Find your freight class from density — new to classes? Read what freight class is.
  2. Measure each pallet’s dimensions and total weight.
  3. List the accessorials you need (liftgate, residential, appointment).
  4. Build one request and quote several carriers on identical numbers with the freight quote builder.
  5. Book, then confirm the freight class and NMFC item on the bill of lading.

When LTL makes sense

Reach for LTL when you have a few palletized handling units, your freight is reasonably dense, and you can tolerate a hub-routed transit time. For lighter, time-critical, or single small boxes, parcel is usually better; for big or fragile loads, truckload wins.

LTL freight FAQ

What is the weight limit for LTL freight?

LTL typically covers shipments from about 150 lb up to 10,000–15,000 lb, or roughly one to six pallets. Below that, parcel is usually cheaper; above it, partial or full truckload (FTL) often wins.

How long does LTL freight take?

LTL moves through a hub-and-spoke network with transfers, so it is slower than direct truckload. Regional lanes are often 1–3 business days; cross-country can be 5–7. Guaranteed and expedited options are available at a premium.

What is the cheapest way to ship LTL?

Ship dense (a lower freight class costs less), right-size your packaging to cut dimensional weight, drop accessorials you do not need, and quote several carriers on identical numbers. Class is the single biggest lever.