Mode comparison guide
FTL vs LTL vs Partial: Where the Breakeven Really Is
LTL fits 1–6 pallets moving through terminal networks with flexible timing. Full truckload (FTL) wins on certainty: one truck, one driver, no cross-docking, and it becomes cost-competitive around 10–14 pallets — sooner in a tight market. Partial truckload lives between the two, and it works best on longer lanes where a truck with spare deck is already heading your way.
When is LTL the right answer?
Small, durable, packaged freight with flexible delivery windows. LTL's price advantage comes from sharing the truck — the tradeoff is handling: your freight gets cross-docked and rides with strangers. Fragile or time-certain loads pay for that discount in risk.
When does FTL beat LTL even with a half-empty trailer?
When timing or handling risk costs you more than the empty floor. One pickup, one delivery, no terminals. As pallet counts climb toward the low teens, the flat FTL rate often undercuts stacked LTL charges anyway — and in tight markets that crossover arrives earlier.
Where do partials actually work?
A partial shares a truck without the terminal network — your freight rides direct but shares deck space. The honest version: partials depend on matching a truck already moving on your lane with room to spare. On longer lanes that matching works often enough to price instantly. On short runs, a dedicated truck is usually the dependable option — and if your dates are flexible, a shared-truck review is worth requesting.
What should I actually do with a 8–14 pallet load?
Price it both ways. FastQuotes will quote the full-truck rate instantly, tell you when a partial is realistic, and flag when common-carrier LTL is the better fit.
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Common questions
When is LTL the right answer?
Small, durable, packaged freight with flexible delivery windows. LTL's price advantage comes from sharing the truck — the tradeoff is handling: your freight gets cross-docked and rides with strangers. Fragile or time-certain loads pay for that discount in risk.
When does FTL beat LTL even with a half-empty trailer?
When timing or handling risk costs you more than the empty floor. One pickup, one delivery, no terminals. As pallet counts climb toward the low teens, the flat FTL rate often undercuts stacked LTL charges anyway — and in tight markets that crossover arrives earlier.
Where do partials actually work?
A partial shares a truck without the terminal network — your freight rides direct but shares deck space. The honest version: partials depend on matching a truck already moving on your lane with room to spare. On longer lanes that matching works often enough to price instantly. On short runs, a dedicated truck is usually the dependable option — and if your dates are flexible, a shared-truck review is worth requesting.
What should I actually do with a 8–14 pallet load?
Price it both ways. FastQuotes will quote the full-truck rate instantly, tell you when a partial is realistic, and flag when common-carrier LTL is the better fit.