Difference Between LTL and FTL Freight Services

What is the difference between LTL and FTL freight?

When shipping cargo with a 3PL freight shipping company, you will have the option of shipping LTL or FTL. LTL or less-than-truckload shipping refers to shipping smaller freight loads, while FTL or full truckload shipping, also known as TL or truckload shipping, is for cargo that fills the entire semi-truck trailer.

Determining which type of transportation service will work best for shipping your freight will be based on the size of the freight shipment, the delicacy of the shipment, the set budget, and the time in which the freight needs to be delivered from point A to point B. Working with a reputable LTL and FTL freight shipping company can also help you make the best decision for your freight shipping needs, as the company will break down the different LTL shipping rates and FTL shipping rates, as well as provide you with freight shipping industry advice, in order to help you make an informed decision.

When should you use LTL freight services?

Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping is often the most cost-effective way to transport freight shipments, especially for small businesses. A truck from your selected 3PL provider will pick up your LTL freight shipment and combine it with freight shipments from multiple other customers who are also looking to share the costs of transportation. Instead of paying for a whole full truckload shipment, you are now only paying a portion of the overall cost; however, you must keep in mind, when sharing a freight shipping truck with multiple other customers, your LTL freight has a higher risk of being damaged. In some cases, your freight shipment may even be loaded and unloaded multiple times before arriving at its final destination.

When should you use FTL freight services?

Full truckload (FTL) shipping is the best way to transport your freight, if you have a large shipment (usually around 10 pallets or more) or if you have a delicate LTL freight shipment and you are not comfortable having the truck space shared with multiple other LTL freight shipments. It is also a considerably faster way to transport freight shipments, as you will save time by not having the freight carrier stop for multiple pickups or having to load and unload freight throughout the trip. With this in mind, full truckload shipping is generally more expensive than LTL freight shipping.

LTL and FTL shipping services from Moto Transportation

No matter what type of freight shipping services you are looking for, LTL freight shipping or FTL freight shipping, we are the shipping company you can depend on to get your freight to its destination, on time and on budget. All of our freight shipping services for LTL freight and FTL freight are performed by our highly trained team of dedicated drivers and are backed by some of the best freight shipping rates in the business.