One of the most common questions we get from new shippers isn't about carriers or rates — it's simpler than that: should this freight move as a full truckload or less-than-truckload? Getting it right affects cost, transit time, and how much handling your freight goes through along the way.
What full truckload (FTL) means
In an FTL shipment, your freight fills — or is billed as if it fills — an entire trailer, and the truck moves directly from pickup to delivery without stopping to load or unload other shippers' freight along the way.
- One shipper's freight, one truck, one route
- Minimal handling — freight is loaded once and unloaded once
- Faster transit since there are no intermediate stops
- Typically the better option above roughly 10-15 pallets, or for freight that's fragile, high-value, or time-sensitive
What less-than-truckload (LTL) means
LTL freight shares trailer space with other shippers' freight. Your shipment is picked up, consolidated at a terminal with other freight headed in a similar direction, and reloaded — sometimes more than once — before final delivery.
- You pay only for the space and weight your freight uses
- Cost-effective for smaller shipments that don't justify a full trailer
- More handling touchpoints, which means more opportunity for delay or damage
- Freight class and NMFC codes affect pricing — density, value, and handling requirements all factor in
Cost: it's not just about size
FTL pricing is typically based on distance, equipment type, and market capacity. LTL pricing adds freight class into the mix — two shipments of the same weight can be priced very differently depending on how dense or how fragile the freight is. If you're shipping something bulky but lightweight, don't assume LTL is automatically cheaper; check the freight class first.
Transit time and handling
FTL is close to a direct line from A to B. LTL freight typically routes through one or more terminals, which adds time and — because the freight is being loaded and unloaded by different crews along the way — adds risk of damage. For freight that's fragile or highly time-sensitive, that tradeoff matters more than the per-pound cost difference.
A quick decision framework
| Situation | Likely better fit |
|---|---|
| Filling 10+ pallets or a full trailer's worth of freight | Full Truckload |
| A few pallets, not time-critical | LTL |
| Fragile, high-value, or highly time-sensitive freight | Full Truckload |
| Budget-driven shipment with flexible delivery window | LTL |
| Construction materials — dirt, aggregate, debris | Specialized hauling (see below) |
What about partial truckload?
Partial truckload sits between the two — your freight shares a trailer with one or two other shipments rather than being consolidated through a terminal network. It's worth asking about if your load is too big for standard LTL pricing but doesn't quite fill a trailer.
And construction materials?
Dirt, aggregate, and debris hauling don't fit neatly into the FTL/LTL framework — these loads move in dump trucks and straight trucks on typically short, local routes. If that's what you're moving, see our guide to booking verified dump truck capacity or book directly through MovingDirt.com.
Not sure which applies to your freight?
Send us your load details through our quote request form and a broker will tell you which option makes sense — no guesswork required.