Choosing Between Full Truckload and Less Than Truckload Shipping
When it comes to transporting goods by road, choosing the right method can save you both
time and money. Two major freight options are:
- FTL (Full Truck Load)
- LTL (Less Than Truck Load)
Let’s break down the differences and help you decide which is right for your cargo.
What is FTL (Full Truck Load)?
FTL means you’re booking the entire vehicle for your shipment. It’s ideal for:
- Large-volume shipments
- Heavy or fragile items
- Direct deliveries without stops
Best for: Construction materials, bulk retail stock, manufacturing supplies.
What is LTL (Less Than Truck Load)?
LTL allows multiple businesses to share the same vehicle, with cargo segmented
accordingly.
Advantages: - Lower cost for small shipments
- Flexible scheduling
- Ideal for frequent small-volume deliveries
Best for: E-commerce, SMEs, seasonal deliveries.
Which One Should You Choose?
Feature FTL LTL
Cost Higher (flat rate) Lower (shared cost)
Speed Faster Slightly slower
Volume High Low to Medium
Security Exclusive cargo Shared space
