A freight shipping method where a shipper books an entire truck exclusively for their goods.
FTL (Full Truckload) shipping means you book the entire capacity of a truck — typically a 53-foot dry van, flatbed, or reefer trailer — exclusively for your freight. Unlike LTL, no other shipper's goods ride on the same truck. FTL is typically more economical per pound than LTL for large shipments, and offers faster transit times and less handling risk.
FTL pricing is negotiated per lane (origin/destination pair) and is heavily influenced by market conditions: fuel prices, driver availability, seasonal demand, and spot market rates. Shippers with consistent volume can negotiate contract rates with carriers; sporadic shippers rely on spot rates or freight brokers to find available trucks.
For 3PL clients, FTL is most common for: high-volume inbound inventory moves from manufacturers, direct-to-retail delivery of large orders, and intermodal transfers. Your 3PL may have FTL carrier relationships you can leverage, or they may recommend a freight broker for one-off moves.
The break-even point is typically around 10-14 pallets or 20,000 lbs, depending on the lane. At that point, FTL is often cheaper per pallet, faster, and involves less handling. Get quotes for both and compare — the math changes significantly by lane and season.
Our AI matches you with warehouses that meet your exact requirements — in 60 seconds. Free for shippers.
Find My 3PL — Free →