FTL Freight - Full Truckload Shipping Services
Whenever a business or an individual requires the transportation of a large volume of freight, FTL freight, or short for “full truckload”, is often the solution.
When the freight is too large, instead of sharing space via Less-Than-Truckload or LTL, your freight occupies the entire trailer. This ultimately provides security, control over your shipping process, and, of course, faster delivery times.
With FTL transport, or FTL shipping, you are basically booking the full truck, dedicated to your freight from the start point to the destination.
Here you’ll learn how FTL trucking works in the supply chain, when it makes sense to choose full truckload shipping, and how the full truckload rates are shaped.
How FTL Shipping Works
In simple terms, FTL shipping means a reservation of an entire trailer for one shipper’s freight. This means that your freight won’t be combined with other smaller shipments from others, and a single FTL truck is loaded with only your goods, to the final destination.
The main perk here is time. FTL not only minimizes extra stops but also simplifies loading and uploading, documentation, and ultimately shortens the transit time.
FTL trucking companies and truckload services provide reliable delivery times, better security, and a simplified process suitable for large shipments. The FTL transportation is also used in special cases when temperature control is required, or the load is oversized and oddly shaped.
How Many Pallets Is a Full Truckload?
The full truckload shipment holds from 26 and 30 standard pallets, strictly based on the trailer size and, of course, the dimensions of the pallets.
Here’s a simplified overview of how many pallets are in a full truckload:
Trailer Type: | Approx. Pallet Capacity: (40” × 48”) | Notes: |
48-ft Dry Van | 24 – 26 pallets | Slightly smaller capacity |
26 – 30 pallets | Most common FTL loads | |
24 – 28 pallets | Space reduced due to insulation & cooling | |
Varies (up to 48, side-by-side) | Ideal for oversized or irregular freight |
When to Choose Full Truckload Shipping
When it comes to choosing a full truckload carrier, it’s first important to consider if it’s necessary and which scenarios actually require FTL services. For instance, if your freight is large, urgent, or requires special handling, full truckload guarantees efficiency.
That’s only the tip, though. Here are some factors for consideration:
Freight Size: FTL is most efficient when you have enough items to 80% or more of the truck trailer, which is typically 25+ pallets.
Time Sensitivity: If you need reliability in regard to the actual transportation, and you rely on the delivery times, FTL is direct routing.
Freight Type: Full truckload is preferred when the freight includes fragile or high-value items, and the loading and unloading process requires attention.
Requirements: FTL is an excellent choice when your freight requires temperature or other unique trailer types or handling services.
Note: While the convenience of FTL shipping is undeniable, costs are significantly higher when compared to LTL, where your freight is shared with other shipments.
Top Benefits of Full Truckload Freight Shipping
The main reason why companies are choosing FTL freight shipping is not solely space; it’s more about the predictability that the direct routing features offer.
To grasp why FTL, despite the higher costs, is so popular among haulers, let’s take a quick look at some of the standout advantages:
Faster Transit Times
The main benefit of FTL trucking is the faster delivery times, because the direct path between point A and point B is not interrupted by constant stops. Another key reason why the transit time is faster is that loading and unloading are significantly easier when there’s only one customer.
Not to mention the documentation involved with shared shipments!
Reduced Damage Risk
The risk of damage with FTL shipments is significantly lower because the truck’s trailer is being loaded once and unloaded once. This means that there is much less freight handling and fewer touchpoints, which ultimately reduces the chance of damage.
In contrast, with shared shipping or LTL, many smaller shipments are constantly moved through, and there are multiple hubs for handling, causing delays and potential damage.
Cost Savings Over Time
While full truckload freight features higher prices than other transportation modes, it can actually be more cost-effective in the long run. The key factors here are reduced handling, fewer delays, and simplified logistics, which shippers often describe and find to create long-term cost savings.
Special Trailer Options
If your shipping company is versatile regarding the freight size, type, and specialty, with the full truckload carriers, you can always request special handling.
This flexibility is one of the greatest advantages that keeps your truckload freight fully compliant.
Supply Chain Control
The FTL logistics provide predictability, which is essential for businesses looking to expand their visibility and motivate customers’ trust. The fast delivery times and the smooth hauling process help businesses achieve their broader goals.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Full Truckload
The exact cost for a full truckload shipment is challenging to estimate with accuracy since it is based on several factors, including distance, freight weight, and trailer type.
To get a general idea of how much your FTL shipment will cost, you can use the table below to formulate an example cost for the service:
Factor: | Example Details: | Estimated Full Truckload Rates: |
Short Haul (0–250 miles) | 20,000 lbs, dry van | $600 – $850 total |
40,000 lbs, dry van | $750 – $1,050 total | |
Medium Haul (250–750 miles) | 20,000 lbs, dry van | $1,200 – $1,800 total |
40,000 lbs, dry van | $1,500 – $2,200 total | |
20,000 lbs, dry van | $2,000 – $3,200 total | |
40,000 lbs, dry van | $2,400 – $3,800 total | |
Trailer Type Impact | Reefer (temperature control) | +10–20% over dry van rate |
Flatbed (oversized or irregular freight) | +5–15% over dry van rate | |
Priority, guaranteed delivery | +$500–$1,500 surcharge |
Note: Please be informed that these FTL freight rates are solely examples and may be different than real-world scenarios, carrier’s pricing, and other factors.
Full Truckload Rates - Get Your FTL Freight Quote Online
Acquiring full truckload quotes has never been easier, thanks to the full truckload freight quote platforms such as FreightRun.com.
We strongly encourage you to check the FreightRun Freight Quote Calculator and compare the FLT trucking companies, FTL services, and FTL delivery options instantly. You only need to provide your freight details, and you’ll receive FTL freight quotes from different carriers near your area.
This tool not only simplifies the shipping, but also helps you schedule the truckload freight!
Reliable Full Truckload Carriers for Your Freight
When it comes to choosing the best company or carrier for your truckload shipments, you must look beyond pricing. The best full truckload shippers typically offer customized solutions as per the nature of your requirement, offering many advantages.
Here are the main factors when estimating a full truck load carriers:
Expertise & Coverage: The well-established full truckload services are fully adapted to a long transportation routine and offer competitive full truckload shipping rates.
Variety of Equipment: The most reliable providers in the FTL transportation industry offer the correct mode of hauling by recommending equipment and approach.
Communication & Tracking: The top full truckload shippers will provide you with full visibility throughout the transportation, with fewer surprises or delays.
Flexibility & Reliability: The most experienced carriers FTL in transportation can quickly adapt to sudden scheduling changes, demand, and special requirements.
The bottom line here is that by working with trusted full truckload carriers, businesses gain stability in their operations and ensure their goods reach the destination securely and on time.
