Partial truckload — also called volume LTL, PTL, or shared truckload — fills the gap between standard LTL and full truckload. Loads typically range from 8 to 24 pallets, or about 6,000 to 36,000 pounds. The carrier books one or two complementary shipments to fill the trailer.
The partial market trades the broad network coverage of LTL for better economics and handling on mid-size loads. Because freight is typically not transferred between terminals, handling is reduced and transit is often faster than LTL for longer lanes. Freight rides with fewer co-loads and goes through fewer touches.
Pricing is usually quoted per linear foot of trailer space or per hundred pounds, depending on the carrier. Weight, dimensions, and lane all influence the rate. Unlike LTL, freight class is often less significant in partial pricing because the carrier is essentially reserving physical space rather than pricing based on density and stowability.
Partial works well for shippers with 8 to 28 pallets, high-value or damage-prone freight, or freight that would be impractical to run through LTL terminals. It is also a common tool for retailers receiving vendor shipments that don't fill a truck but need more predictable handling than LTL provides.
The tradeoff is availability. The partial market is less standardized than LTL and FTL. Finding a carrier with a complementary load in the same lane and timing window requires either a strong broker relationship or access to a load-matching platform. Transit estimates are less reliable than FTL since they depend on the co-load's location. For time-sensitive freight, FTL is usually the safer choice.