Full Truckload (FTL)
Definition
Full truckload shipping dedicates an entire trailer to one shipper's freight, moving directly from origin to destination without intermediate handling. It is typically used for shipments large enough to fill or nearly fill a 48- or 53-foot trailer.
In Practice
In an FTL move, the carrier assigns one truck and driver to your load. Because the trailer is sealed at origin and opened at destination, transit is faster and damage risk is lower than modes that rehandle freight at terminals. Pricing is usually per mile or as a lane rate, regardless of how full the trailer is.
Planners choose FTL when volume justifies it, generally above roughly 10 to 14 pallets or 15,000 pounds, or when speed and freight integrity matter more than cost per unit. The break-even against LTL shifts with market rates, so it pays to compare modes on every large shipment.
For example, a beverage distributor moving 24 pallets from a plant in Dallas to a warehouse in Atlanta books a dry van FTL, getting next-day transit with no terminal stops, at a single lane rate.
Related Calculators
Related Terms
Less than truckload shipping combines freight from multiple shippers in one trailer, with each paying only for the space and weight they use. It suits shipments of roughly one to ten pallets that are too big for parcel but too small for a full truck.
CarrierA carrier is a company that physically transports freight, such as a trucking company, ocean line, airline, or railroad. Carriers contrast with intermediaries like brokers and forwarders, who arrange transport but do not operate the equipment.
Freight RateA freight rate is the price a carrier charges to move a shipment between two points, quoted per container, per truckload, per hundredweight, or per kilogram depending on the mode. Rates vary with distance, capacity, commodity, and market conditions.
Transit TimeTransit time is the elapsed time between a shipment leaving its origin and arriving at its destination. It is a core component of total lead time and a key input to inventory and delivery planning.