Less than truckload shipping is designed for freight that is too heavy or bulky for a parcel carrier but too small to fill a trailer on its own. Shipments typically range from 150 pounds to about 15,000 pounds, though individual carriers set their own limits.
The LTL model relies on terminals. A carrier picks up your freight from your dock, brings it to a regional terminal, sorts it with other freight, loads it onto a linehaul trailer bound for the destination region, transfers it at another terminal, and delivers it on a local truck. This multi-handling is efficient for the carrier but adds transit time and handling risk compared to FTL.
LTL pricing uses freight class (based on NMFC classification), weight, and dimensional weight. Accessorial charges — fuel surcharge, liftgate, residential, inside delivery, detention — add on top of the base rate. Understanding how your freight is classified before shipping prevents unexpected invoice adjustments.
Transit on LTL is measured in days, not hours. Standard LTL from Chicago to Atlanta might transit in two to three days. Expedited LTL is available from most carriers but at a premium. Guaranteed delivery windows are available on most networks for an additional charge.
LTL is the right tool when freight doesn't fill half a trailer, when the shipper ships multiple small loads per week that can move individually, or when cost-per-unit takes priority over transit speed. The breakeven with FTL or partial truckload depends on the lane, the freight class, and current market rates. Many experienced shippers build optimization routines to decide between LTL, partial, and FTL based on weekly volume patterns.