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When Does LTL Make Sense?
LTL (Less Than Truckload) is for shipments too large for parcel carriers but not enough to fill a full truck. Typically 1-6 pallets, a few hundred to several thousand pounds.
Weight Is Not the Only Factor
Two 500-lb shipments can price very differently if one fits on a standard pallet and the other takes three oversized pallets. Freight class, dimensions, density, and address type all matter.
LTL vs PTL vs FTL
- LTL: 1-6 pallets, shared truck, standard transit
- PTL: Partial truckload, larger than LTL but not full
- FTL: Full truck, fastest, no sharing
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This article looks at LTL from a weight (lbs) angle. If your shipment is measured by pallet count and exceeds 6 pallets, see: More Than 6 Pallets? LTL vs Volume LTL, PTL & FTL.
