Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping consolidates freight from multiple shippers into a single truck, allowing businesses to share transportation costs. LTL is designed for shipments that are too large for parcel delivery but too small to justify a full truck—typically weighing between 150 and 15,000 pounds and occupying 1-6 pallets. Your freight shares trailer space with other shipments traveling similar routes, making it a cost-effective solution for smaller loads."
LTL shipping dramatically reduces freight costs by sharing truck space with other shippers. You pay only for the cubic feet or pallet positions your shipment occupies, not the entire trailer. For small to medium loads, LTL delivers 40-60% cost savings compared to booking a full truck you don't need.
Ship as little as one pallet or 150 pounds without needing to fill an entire truck. LTL eliminates minimum load requirements, making it perfect for small businesses, seasonal shippers, or companies testing new markets without large freight commitments.
LTL adapts to your business needs—ship one pallet this week, six pallets next week. No need to wait until you accumulate enough freight for a full truck. Carriers offer regular pickup schedules and extensive terminal networks for consistent regional and national service.
LTL carriers provide value-added services including liftgate delivery (no loading dock required), inside pickup/delivery, residential delivery, appointment scheduling, and freeze protection—giving you flexibility for diverse delivery requirements.
Every LTL shipment is assigned a freight class (50-500) by the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system. Your freight class directly affects your shipping cost and is determined by four factors: density, stowability, handling, and liability.
Weight divided by cubic feet
Denser freight (like bricks, steel) costs less to ship than low-density items (furniture, pillows)
1,000 lbs in 50 cubic feet = 20 lbs/cubic foot = Class 85
How easily freight fits with other shipments
Odd shapes, hazardous materials, or items requiring special placement increase class
Standard pallets stack easily; large machinery requires dedicated space
Difficulty loading, unloading, and moving freight
Fragile, oversized, or awkwardly shaped items need special care
Palletized boxes (easy) vs. loose items or heavy machinery (difficult)
Risk of theft, damage, or spoilage
High-value or fragile items carry more liability for carriers
Electronics have higher class than durable goods like metal parts
| Class | Density (lbs/cu ft) | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50+ | Bricks, cement, hardwood flooring, nuts/bolts |
| 55 | 35-50 | Bricks on pallets, cement products |
| 60 | 30-35 | Car parts, bottled beverages |
| 65 | 22.5-30 | Automotive parts, bottled drinks in crates |
| 70 | 15-22.5 | Car accessories, food items, automobile engines |
| 77.5 | 13.5-15 | Tires, bathroom fixtures |
| 85 | 12-13.5 | Crated machinery, cast iron stoves |
| 92.5 | 10.5-12 | Computers, monitors, refrigerators |
| 100 | 9-10.5 | Boat covers, car covers, canvas products |
| 110 | 8-9 | Cabinet doors, framed artwork |
| 125 | 7-8 | Small household appliances |
| 150 | 6-7 | Auto sheet metal parts |
| 175 | 5-6 | Clothing, couches, stuffed furniture |
| 200 | 4-5 | Auto sheet metal parts, aircraft parts |
| 250 | 3-4 | Bamboo furniture, mattresses |
| 300 | 2-3 | Wood cabinets, tables, chairs |
| 400 | 1-2 | Deer antlers |
| 500 | <1 | Bags of gold dust, ping pong balls |
Source: NMFC Classification System
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LTL shipping consolidates freight from multiple shippers into a single truck. You pay only for the trailer space your shipment occupies (typically 1-6 pallets or 150-15,000 pounds), sharing transportation costs with other businesses shipping similar routes.
LTL pricing depends on freight class, weight, dimensions, distance, and accessorial services. Generally, denser freight (higher weight per cubic foot) costs less. LTL offers 40-60% savings compared to booking a full truck for small loads.
Freight class (50-500) is an industry classification system that determines LTL shipping costs. It's based on your freight's density, stowability, handling difficulty, and liability. Higher class numbers = higher cost. Accurate classification ensures correct pricing.
LTL transit times range from 2-7 days depending on distance and number of terminal transfers. Regional shipments (under 500 miles) typically deliver in 2-3 days, while cross-country moves take 5-7 days. LTL is slower than FTL due to consolidation stops.
LTL is designed for shipments weighing between 150 and 15,000 pounds. Loads under 150 lbs ship more cost-effectively via parcel services. Freight over 15,000 lbs (or 10+ pallets) typically warrants full truckload shipping for better rates and faster transit.
Yes! Most LTL carriers provide tracking through PRO numbers (shipment IDs). You can monitor pickup confirmation, terminal arrivals, and delivery status. We provide tracking updates and delivery notifications throughout transit.
LTL carriers offer liftgate service (no dock required), inside pickup/delivery, residential delivery, appointment scheduling, limited access fees, freeze protection, trade show delivery, and notify before delivery services.
Carriers provide basic liability coverage (typically $0.10-$0.50 per pound), but this rarely covers full cargo value. We strongly recommend purchasing additional freight insurance for declared value protection, especially for high-value or fragile goods.
