FTL vs LTL Freight: What Is the Difference?
FTL (full truck load) and LTL (less than truckload) are the two main ways to move road freight. The right choice depends on how much you are sending, how quickly it needs to arrive and your budget.
Definitions
FTL means your goods have exclusive use of a vehicle. LTL, also called part load, means your goods share a vehicle with other consignments travelling a similar route.
When to use each
Use FTL for large volumes, time-critical freight, fragile or high-value goods and anything that should not be mixed with other freight. Use LTL for a few pallets or bulky goods that do not justify a whole trailer, when timing is flexible.
Cost considerations
With FTL you pay for the whole vehicle. With LTL you pay for the space and weight you use, which is usually cheaper for smaller volumes. Once your load takes up a large share of a trailer, FTL can become better value.
Transit-time considerations
FTL travels directly, so timings are faster and more predictable. LTL vehicles make other collections and deliveries, so transit can take longer and delivery windows may be wider.
Load size
As a rough guide, one to a few pallets suits pallet services or LTL. Several pallets up to around half a trailer suits LTL. More than that, or anything that needs the whole vehicle, suits FTL.
Dedicated vs shared transport
Dedicated transport means fewer touch points and more control. Shared transport is more cost-efficient but involves more handling and less flexibility on timing.
Examples
A business sending six pallets of stock from Essex to Manchester with a flexible delivery date would usually suit LTL.
A manufacturer sending 24 pallets to a distribution centre on a fixed booking-in slot would usually suit FTL.
Fragile exhibition stands that must arrive together and on time are often best on a dedicated vehicle, even if they do not fill it.
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