Full Truckload (FTL)

What Is Full Truckload (FTL)?

Full Truckload (FTL) is a shipping method where a single shipment fills an entire truck trailer, either by volume or because the shipper has booked exclusive use of the trailer, as opposed to sharing space with other shippers' freight.

How Does FTL Work?

A shipper books an entire truck for their shipment, which travels directly from origin to destination without stopping to pick up or drop off other shippers' freight along the way. This makes FTL faster and lower-risk than LTL, since there's no consolidation, deconsolidation, or multiple handling touchpoints.

FTL vs. LTL

FTL is more cost-effective for large shipments that fill or nearly fill a trailer, and offers faster, more direct transit. LTL is more economical for smaller shipments that don't require a full trailer, but takes longer due to multiple stops and terminal handling.

Why FTL Matters

For time-sensitive or high-volume shipments, FTL's direct point-to-point movement significantly reduces transit time and handling risk compared to LTL, though it comes at a higher cost per shipment when the full trailer capacity isn't actually needed.