Less Than Truckload (LTL)

What Is Less Than Truckload (LTL)?

Less Than Truckload (LTL) is a shipping method where multiple shippers' freight shares space on the same truck, with each shipper paying only for the portion of space and weight their shipment uses.

How Does LTL Work?

Freight from multiple shippers is consolidated at a terminal, loaded onto a shared truck, and delivered along a route with multiple stops, sometimes passing through additional terminals for further consolidation before reaching its final destination. This makes LTL more cost-effective for smaller shipments, but adds transit time and handling touchpoints compared to a dedicated full truckload.

Benefits of LTL Shipping

• Lower cost for shipments too small to justify a full truckload
• Reduces wasted capacity for smaller freight volumes
• Flexible for businesses without consistent, large shipment volumes

Why LTL Matters

LTL is the practical default for most small and mid-size businesses shipping less-than-truckload quantities, but its longer transit time and multiple handling points mean shipment tracking and freight class accuracy matter more than they would for a direct, single-stop full truckload move.