Full Truckload vs Less-than-Truckload (FTL vs LTL) Shipping

Choosing between dedicated trucks or shared freight for your shipment

When shipping goods by road, you generally have two options: Full Truckload (FTL) or Less Than Truckload (LTL). The difference comes down to how much space your freight needs and how shipments are managed. In an FTL shipment, you book an entire truck exclusively for your load – your cargo fills (or nearly fills) the trailer, and it goes directly to your destination. In an LTL shipment, your goods share a truck with other shippers’ freight, each paying for only the portion of space they use. The truck makes multiple stops or goes through network hubs to deliver all the combined shipments.

Key distinctions between LTL and FTL:

• Shipment Size & Capacity: FTL is used for large shipments – typically if you have enough to fill a trailer or at least a substantial portion of it. As a rule of thumb, if you have more than about 10–12 standard pallets (or over ~15,000 lbs/7 tons) it approaches full truckload territory. A full 13.6m trailer can take up to 26 UK pallets (120x100cm) or ~33 Euro pallets (120x80cm) and ~44,000 lbs (20,000+ kg) of cargo. If your load is near these quantities, FTL makes sense. LTL is geared for smaller loads – from a single pallet up to maybe 6 pallets that don’t fill the trailer. In LTL, multiple shippers’ pallets are consolidated to efficiently use one truck.
• Cost Structure: With LTL, you pay only for the space/weight you use, making it very cost-efficient for small loads. The transport cost is shared among various shipments, so per-pallet or per-pound it’s cheaper than hiring a whole truck. With FTL, you pay for the entire truck’s journey. For large loads, FTL is usually cheaper than paying for the equivalent space via many LTL shipments. But if you only have a few pallets, paying for a whole FTL truck would be wasteful. In short: LTL is cheaper for small shipments; FTL can be more economical for big moves.
• Transit Time: FTL is typically faster. Since an FTL truck goes directly from pickup to delivery (point-to-point), transit times are as short as possible (barring driver hour limits). LTL shipments often take longer because the truck might stop at one or more terminals to unload and reload other freight, or execute a multi-stop route. Also, LTL carriers operate on fixed lanes and schedules (like a bus route), so your freight might detour through network hubs. If your delivery is time-sensitive or you need a guaranteed delivery window, FTL might be preferable to avoid the extra stops. LTL is sometimes called “groupage” or network freight – it’s efficient but not express. Expect that LTL that might take 1 day as FTL could take 2–3 days via LTL network. That said, many LTL carriers do offer expedited options or direct loads for urgent pallets at higher cost.
• Handling & Risk: In FTL, your load is the only cargo in the trailer from start to finish. That means less handling – it’s loaded once, and unloaded once. In LTL, by nature of consolidation, your pallets may be handled and moved around multiple times (loaded at origin, unloaded at a hub, reloaded to another truck, etc., then unloaded at destination). More handling increases risk of damage or misplacement. LTL carriers are very experienced with this and use pallets, shrink-wrap, etc., to mitigate damage, but still, fragile or high-value goods may fare better with an FTL (or at least a dedicated section of a truck) to minimise transfers. Also, with shared trailers, there’s a tiny risk of freight getting swapped or mixed up at hubs – proper labeling and reputable carriers mitigate this, but it’s a consideration.
• Flexibility & Routing: LTL is very flexible for origins and destinations that fall within established freight lanes or are frequent shipping points – the carrier can slot your freight with others easily. If you have an unusual origin/destination or a very rural delivery, an LTL carrier might not have a direct route, which could add to transit time or cost. FTL can go anywhere point-to-point as long as a truck can physically reach. Scheduling is another aspect: LTL pickups and deliveries are usually on regular business days with appointment windows, and you might have less control over exact timing (since the truck has other freight to pick up/deliver). With FTL, you typically have more control – you can specify pickup time, go straight through, even dedicate team drivers for continuous transport if needed. Essentially, FTL is like hiring a private taxi vs LTL being like a bus or carpool.
• Pricing Factors: LTL freight pricing often depends on freight class (in some countries, especially US) which accounts for density, stowability, value, etc., as well as distance. In the UK/Europe, LTL (groupage) pricing is typically by pallet count/size and weight and the lane. FTL pricing is usually a flat rate per truck per mile or per trip, regardless of what’s in it (up to weight limits). So for FTL, you know the cost of taking a full 13.6m trailer from point A to B. For LTL, you get quoted a rate for your specific freight details. FTL is easier to predict in cost if you regularly ship full loads (less variability). In LTL, small changes in weight or class can change price, and there are often additional fees for things like tail-lift delivery, remote areas, etc., whereas with FTL you have the truck to yourself and those considerations are built into that one price.

When to use LTL: If you have a relatively small quantity of freight – e.g. 1 to 5 pallets – and transit time is not extremely urgent, LTL is likely the most economical choice. It’s ideal for small businesses sending out orders that don’t fill a truck, or for balancing cost and speed when a full load is not justified. Many ecommerce suppliers, retailers, and manufacturers use pallet networks (LTL carriers) to distribute product continuously. Also, if you can palletize your goods and they are not extremely delicate or time-critical, LTL will serve you well. LTL shipping allows you to send the right amount of product and pay only for that share of the truck – avoiding need to wait until you accumulate a full load.

When to use FTL: If you can fill a truck (or nearly), or your shipment is large/heavy/awkward enough that it effectively uses a full trailer, FTL is usually the better option. Also, if speed or specific timing is vital, FTL is worth the cost – for example, a factory might need a certain part delivered by morning to avoid a line stoppage, so they’ll send a dedicated truck even if half-empty. Or a retailer might ship an entire store’s inventory refit in one go via FTL to arrive together. Fragile or high-value cargo might also be sent FTL to reduce handling and mingling with other freight. Additionally, if origin or destination are off the beaten path, a direct FTL may be simpler than finding an LTL route.

Sometimes a shipment falls in between – not small, but not quite a full truck. This is where partial truckload or PTL service can come in (also called part-load or co-load). It’s essentially a small FTL or a large LTL, often arranged by brokers who will put 2–3 compatible loads together in one trailer. Pricing on partials can be more flexible (not strictly by pallet count or full truck, but by how much of the truck you need). The lines can blur; but as a shipper you don’t need to worry – a good logistics provider will find you the most cost-effective solution for your load size.

In summary, LTL vs FTL is a trade-off between cost and control/speed LTL leverages a network to move freight cheaply but with less direct control; FTL gives you point-to-point service at a higher cost but with faster transit and less handling.

How X2 Can Help

X2 (UK) offers both Full Truckload and Less-than-Truckload services, giving you the flexibility to ship anything from a single pallet to an entire trailer of goods. We don’t force your shipment into one category – instead, our team will evaluate your cargo’s size, urgency, and characteristics to recommend the most efficient mode. If your load is small, we tap into our reliable LTL network (including pallet distribution systems) to get you a low rate and frequent departures. If it’s large or time-critical, we arrange a dedicated FTL haul with a vetted carrier, ensuring direct delivery and minimal handling. Not sure if you have enough for a full load? X2 can also coordinate part-load solutions, pairing your freight with other compatible shipments so you still save money while maintaining reasonable transit times. The bottom line: we optimise for your needs and budget. With X2’s expertise, you won’t pay for a half-empty truck nor suffer delays from an inefficient route. Plus, we provide tracking for both LTL and FTL shipments, so you have full visibility. Our goal is to deliver your goods in the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective way – FTL or LTL, we’ve got you covered. Consult X2 (UK) for your next shipment, and our logistics specialists will help you choose the right solution, arrange all the details, and keep your supply chain running smoothly.