LTL Shipping Guide
Everything you need to know about Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight shipping.
What is LTL Shipping?
LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) shipping is when your freight shares a truck with other shippers. You only pay for the space your pallets take up — not the entire truck.
150 lbs
Minimum weight for LTL
15,000 lbs
Max before Full Truckload (FTL)
1-6 pallets
Typical LTL shipment size
3-10 days
Typical LTL transit time
When to Use LTL vs Parcel vs FTL
| Shipment Type | Weight | Service | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Parcel | <150 lbs | USPS / UPS / FedEx | Lowest per package |
| LTL Freight | 150 - 15,000 lbs | Old Dominion, XPO, SAIA | Medium (per pallet) |
| Full Truckload (FTL) | 15,000+ lbs | Dry van, flatbed carriers | Flat rate per truck |
LTL Freight Class (NMFC)
Freight class determines your rate. Calculated by density (lbs per cubic foot).
| Class | Density (lbs/cu ft) | Typical Items |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50+ | Steel, cast iron, glass |
| 65 | 22.5-30 | Bottled beverages, books |
| 85 | 12-13.5 | Crated machinery |
| 100 | 9-10.5 | Wine, appliances |
| 125 | 8-9 | Computers, household goods |
| 150 | 6-8 | Refrigerators, furniture |
| 175 | 5-6 | Clothing, couches |
| 200 | 4-5 | Auto parts, sheet metal |
| 250 | 3-4 | Bamboo furniture |
| 300 | 2-3 | Wood cabinets, tables |
| 500 | <1 | Ping pong balls |
Source: NMFC — National Motor Freight Classification. Use our Pallet Calculator to auto-calculate your freight class.
Top LTL Carriers (USA)
| Carrier | Coverage | Best For | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion (ODFL) | Nationwide + Canada | Best on-time rate (99%+) | odfl.com |
| XPO Logistics | Nationwide | Large volume | xpo.com |
| SAIA | Nationwide | Southeast US focus | saia.com |
| Estes Express | Nationwide | Mid-Atlantic region | estes-express.com |
| R+L Carriers | Nationwide | Flexible pickup | rlcarriers.com |
| Averitt Express | Southeast + Midwest | Regional value | averittexpress.com |