What Is General Freight - General Freight Meaning in Trucking

In the trucking industry, we often hear the term “general freight”, but what does it mean exactly?

At its core, “general freight” refers to a variety of freight that is transported by truck and doesn’t require any handling, like temperature-controlled vehicles or hazardous material transportation.

Freight like boxed consumer goods, heavy machinery, or construction materials hauled across North America by truck drivers.

This type of shipping keeps the general freight trucking industry going and supports businesses and consumers alike with reliable transport services.

In this article, we’ll break down what is general freight, explore its role in trucking, and dive into examples and companies that make it all happen.

What Is Considered General Freight

In short, general freight is the broad range of goods that general freight trucking moves without needing specialized care like everyday freight powering industries and homes.

So, let’s take a close look at what is considered general freight:

Consumer Goods

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) dominate general freight shipping, from household freight to packaged foods in LTL or truckload hauls. The smooth pickups and deliveries rely on matching loads with the right freight shipping carriers, a hallmark of what is general freight trucking.

Raw Materials

Raw materials like ingredients or production parts are a prime general freight trucking examples. General freight transport ensures these goods reach factories nationwide, undamaged and on schedule. A delay in the delivery here can have a significant impact on the overall supply chain.

Building Industry

The building industry relies on general freight for lumber, windows, and roofing materials. Timing here matters since each construction step depends on the previous one. Well, the main general freight trucking delivers these building materials mostly via van trailers.

General Freight

The general freight trucking companies handle everything from wine and food to agribusiness and plastics. Their expertise simplifies logistics, making general freight hauler services versatile and essential across the North American industry classification.

General Freight Trucking Examples

There are many general freight trucking examples covering everything from a diverse mix of freight to personal freight and commercial supplies.

Whether hauled by a general freight hauler or listed under the general freight NAICS code, these shipments showcase the flexibility of freight trucking.

Below are some standout categories that define this sector:

Food, Beverages, and Clothing

Food and beverages, along with clothing, are classic general freight examples. While some food freight may require temperature-controlled reefers for safe general freight transport, the clothing typically moves easily in a van trailer.

These everyday products keep the general freight trucking industry busy, delivering to stores and homes across North America.

Furniture & Construction Supplies

Furniture and construction supplies highlight what is general freight trucking in action. Furniture might require temperature-controlled shipping to avoid damage, while construction materials like lumber or hardware fuel the building industry.

The general freight shipping companies ensure the freight reaches the destinations, supporting both households and job sites.

Machine Parts & Oversized Loads

Well, the machine parts and oversized loads are another prime general freight trucking example. This also includes oversized loads, like vehicles and heavy equipment, that exceed the standard dimensions yet qualify as general freight transportation with proper labeling.

So, freight trucking companies handle these with exceptional expertise, proving this category's broad scope.

Types of Freight in Trucking

The trucking industry offers various ways to move general freight, tailored to shipment size, distance, and transport needs. General freight shipping adapts to different modes and scales, ensuring goods reach their destinations efficiently.

Here’s a breakdown of the main types shaping general freight trucking:

Full Truckload vs. Less Than Truckload

The general freight trucking splits into full truckload FTL and less-than-truckload LTL services. FTL gives a single load its own truck, ideal for large shipments, while LTL allows smaller loads to share space with others, cutting costs.

So, both options define what is general freight trucking, offering flexibility for many businesses!

Transport Modes

Beyond trucks, general freight transportation can involve planes, trains, or ships for part of the journey. However, the trucks are still essential in handling pickup and delivery at starting and endpoints. This multi-mode approach, often managed by freight trucking companies, ensures general freight moves seamlessly, no matter the vehicle.

Distance-Based Shipping

So, general freight trucking also varies by range, which is local, regional, over-the-road, or even international. Local transportation stays close, while long-distance over-the-road trips across the country. Transport services scale to fit, with truck drivers navigating everything from short runs to cross-border general freight shipping.

General Freight Trucking Companies

General freight trucking companies are the foundation of the trucking industry, transporting a wide variety of goods across North America. These companies, classified under the general freight trucking NAICS code, range from giants handling billions to smaller industry players.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the sector’s significance, tracking its role in employing truck drivers and supporting economic growth.

Below are the top 7, ranked by revenue, showcasing leaders in general freight transportation!

These industry giants, recognized by the North American Industry Classification System, shape the general freight trucking industry. Hence, whether moving goods via van trailers or managing long-distance hauls, they verify freight trucking companies keep the shipping supply chain alive.