Standard LTL
One to a few pallets, moving through an LTL carrier’s terminal network.
- Typical size
- About 1–6 pallets
- Priced by
- Weight, class and distance
- Handling
- Sorted at terminals
Services · LTL
LTL & Partial Truckload
Not enough freight to fill a trailer? With less-than-truckload (LTL) you pay for the space your freight uses and share the truck with other shippers. From a single pallet to a partial load, I find the option that fits your freight and your deadline.
- 1 pallet to partial loads
- Liftgate & residential
- Freight class guidance
How LTL works
Pay for the space you use
LTL carriers combine freight from many shippers in one trailer. Your pallets are picked up, taken to a terminal, sorted, and moved through the carrier’s network to a terminal near the consignee for final delivery. The price depends on weight, distance, freight class and any extra services.
When a shipment is too big for standard LTL but too small for a full trailer, a volume LTL quote or a partial truckload often costs less, and a partial stays on the same trailer the whole way: fewer touches, less risk of damage. With the carriers in the Landstar network, I can compare the options for you.
Options
LTL, volume and partial
The right option depends on how much space and weight your freight takes, and how fast it has to arrive.
Volume LTL
Larger LTL shipments, quoted on the space and weight they take instead of class.
- Typical size
- 6+ pallets or 5,000+ lb
- Priced by
- Space and weight
- Best for
- Big shipments, short of a truckload
Partial truckload
Shares a truckload carrier’s trailer with one or two other loads, with no terminal transfers.
- Typical size
- About 6–18 pallets
- Handling
- Stays on the same trailer
- Best for
- Fragile freight, tighter timing
Extra services
Liftgates, residential and inside delivery, appointments and limited-access sites cost extra, so put them on the quote.
- Common
- Liftgate, residential, inside delivery
- Also
- Appointments, limited access
Guaranteed & expedited
When an LTL shipment has to arrive on a set day, or faster than the network allows.
- Options
- Guaranteed LTL, exclusive use
Full truckload
When your freight fills most of a trailer, a full truckload is usually the better buy.
- Typical size
- About 18–26 pallets
Typical shipments
What ships LTL
- Palletized products
- Boxed goods & cartons
- Machinery parts
- Store & restaurant equipment
- Building supplies
- Office furniture
- Crated items
- Drums & totes
- Trade show freight
- Residential deliveries
Good to know
How to avoid extra charges
Most surprises on an LTL invoice come from details that weren’t on the quote. These are the ones to check.
- Accurate weight and dimensions. Carriers reweigh and measure freight, and bill the difference.
- The right freight class. Most classes are now based on density, so dimensions matter as much as weight.
- Pickup and delivery conditions. Liftgates, residential addresses, inside delivery and limited-access sites such as schools, farms and job sites cost extra.
- Packaging. Freight on pallets, shrink-wrapped and labeled, moves with less risk of damage.
- Stackable or not. Freight that can’t be stacked takes more space and can cost more.
- Declared value. LTL carrier liability is limited; tell me if your freight is worth more.
Request a quote
What I need for a quote
- Pickup and delivery addresses, business or residential
- Number of pallets or pieces
- Length, width and height of each pallet or piece
- Weight of each pallet, or the total
- Commodity, and freight class if you know it
- Whether the freight is stackable
- Liftgate, inside delivery or appointment needs
- Ready date
What is freight class?
A rating from 50 to 500 that LTL carriers use, along with weight and distance, to price a shipment. Dense, sturdy freight gets a low class and a lower rate; light, bulky or fragile freight gets a higher class. Most classes are now based on density, so accurate dimensions matter.
How do I work out density?
Multiply length × width × height in inches and divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet. Then divide the weight in pounds by the cubic feet. A 48″ × 40″ × 50″ pallet weighing 500 lb is about 55.6 cubic feet, or 9 lb per cubic foot.
Do I need a liftgate?
If there’s no loading dock or forklift at pickup or delivery, yes: a liftgate lowers the pallet to the ground. Tell me when you ask for a quote, because it costs extra and not every truck has one.
When is a partial truckload better than LTL?
Usually for larger shipments, often 6 pallets or more, or for fragile freight. A partial stays on the same trailer from pickup to delivery, so it’s handled less and can arrive sooner.
Is my LTL freight covered for its full value?
Not always. LTL carrier liability is limited and often depends on the freight and its class, which can be far below what the goods are worth. Tell me the value up front so we can look at coverage before it ships.
Freight classes, carrier rules and extra charges vary by carrier and shipment. The ranges on this page are typical; I confirm the details with every quote.
More services
Other freight I move
Request a quote
Shipping a few pallets?
Send the pallet count, dimensions, weight and addresses, and I’ll find the best option.