Bear Shift Guide for shippers
FTL vs LTL vs partial truckload: which one fits your shipment
- FTL vs LTL vs partial truckload comes down to how much of a trailer you need: FTL is the whole truck, LTL shares a network of terminals, and a partial shares one truck without the terminals.
- LTL commonly fits about 1 to 6 pallets, a partial fits shipments that are larger but don't fill a trailer, and from about 10 to 12 pallets a full truck is often worth pricing.
- Fragile, valuable or time-sensitive freight can justify a full truck with fewer pallets, while flexible freight can save money on a shared truck.
The three options in one table
All three move palletized freight by truck. What changes is who else is on the trailer, how many times your pallets are handled, and what the price is based on. The table below is a general guide; the right answer for a given shipment depends on its size, its weight and the dates.
| Feature | Full truckload (FTL) | LTL | Partial truckload |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it moves | One truck for one shipper, dock to dock | Through the carrier's terminals, sharing trucks with other shippers | One truck shared with other shippers, no terminals |
| Typical size | Often from about 10 to 12 pallets, or heavy freight | Commonly about 1 to 6 pallets | Too big for LTL pricing, too small to fill a trailer |
| Price based on | The truck for the lane | Weight, dimensions, freight class and distance | Mostly floor space and weight |
| Handling | Loaded once, unloaded once | Can be moved at each terminal | Stays on the same truck |
| Timing | Set by your pickup and delivery | Follows terminal schedules | Planned around the truck's other stops |
When FTL wins (volume, fragile, time)
A full truckload gives one shipper the whole trailer. The truck is loaded at your dock, you can seal it, and it goes straight to the delivery dock without a terminal in between. Three situations usually point to FTL:
- Volume. Once a shipment fills a large part of a 53-foot trailer — often from about 10 to 12 pallets — the price of a whole truck can compare well with shared options, and a 53-foot dry van typically takes 26 standard pallets loaded straight and single stacked, depending on weight.
- Fragile or high-value freight. Every forklift move is a chance for damage. Freight that rides alone and is handled only at both ends is exposed less.
- Timing. A dedicated truck runs to your pickup and delivery times rather than a terminal's schedule, which matters for a tight delivery appointment.
Weight counts as well as space. A loaded truck has a legal weight limit, so dense freight such as paper, tile or beverages can call for a full truck long before the floor is covered.
When LTL wins (small, flexible)
LTL stands for less than truckload. LTL carriers operate networks of terminals: a local pickup-and-delivery truck brings your pallets to a terminal, where they are sorted and often loaded onto a linehaul trailer to another terminal, and a local truck makes the delivery. You pay for your share of that network instead of a whole truck, which makes LTL a good fit for small shipments with flexible dates.
The LTL price depends on weight, dimensions, distance and freight class. The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) groups commodities into 18 classes, from class 50 to class 500. Denser, sturdier freight generally lands in a lower class and costs less per pound; light, bulky or fragile freight lands higher. Getting the weight, the dimensions and the class right matters, because LTL carriers can reweigh and reinspect a shipment and adjust the bill. Our LTL and partial page explains how we arrange shared loads.
Partial: the middle ground
A partial truckload — also called volume LTL or a shared truckload — puts your pallets on one truck with freight from other shippers but skips the terminals. Your pallets go on at pickup and come off at delivery, with no sorting in between.
Partials suit shipments that are too large for good LTL pricing but don't fill a trailer, and freight that shouldn't be handled several times. The price usually follows the length of trailer floor your pallets take up and their total weight, more than the freight class. The trade-off is timing: the truck has other stops, so delivery windows are planned around the whole route rather than yours alone.
A partial is often the answer when an LTL quote looks high for a mid-size shipment, or when a full truck would carry a lot of empty space.
How to ask for the right quote
You don't need to choose the mode yourself. Send the facts and ask for the options that fit:
- Pickup and delivery addresses or ZIP codes, and the date the freight is ready.
- The number of pallets, the length, width and height of each one, and the weight per pallet or in total.
- What the product is, whether the pallets can be stacked, and the freight class if you already know it.
- Whether each end has a loading dock, any delivery appointment, and any home or limited-access stop.
- How firm the delivery date is.
With that, a broker can compare an LTL price with a partial or a full truck and explain the trade-offs in cost and timing. Ask for a quote and we tell you which option suits your shipment.
Not sure which one fits? Ask us
Questions about FTL, LTL and partials
How many pallets fit in a full truck?
A 53-foot dry van typically takes 26 standard pallets, loaded straight and single stacked, depending on weight. Heavy freight can reach the legal weight limit before the floor is full.
Is LTL always cheaper than a partial?
No. For small shipments LTL usually costs less, but as the pallet count grows a partial can come out lower, and it avoids terminal handling. Comparing both prices for the same shipment is the simplest way to know.
What is freight class?
Freight class is the NMFC rating LTL carriers use to price a shipment, from class 50 to class 500. It reflects the freight's density, how easily it is stowed and handled, and its liability; a wrong class can lead to a reclassification and a higher bill.
This guide is general information about freight brokerage, not legal advice. Your bill of lading, quote terms and the carrier's tariff govern each shipment.