Less-than-truckload shipping

[[File:XPO LTL.jpg|thumb|[[XPO, Inc.|XPO]] LTL facility in [[Tomah, Wisconsin]], formerly a [[Con-way Freight]] terminal]]

[[File:XPO LTL.jpg|thumb|[[XPO, Inc.|XPO]] LTL facility in [[Tomah, Wisconsin]], formerly a [[Con-way Freight]] terminal]]

'''Less-than-truckload shipping''' or '''less than load''' ('''LTL''') is the transportation of [[Cargo|freight]] amounts as small as one [[Package delivery|parcel]] and as large as a full [[Truckload shipping|truckload]].{{Cite web |last=Hoereth |first=Anthony |date=May 4, 2023 |title=What Is Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)? |url=https://www.xpo.com/resource-center/ltl/what-is-less-than-truckload/ |publisher=[[XPO, Inc.]] |access-date=2025-02-07 }} Parcel carriers handle small packages and freight that can be broken down into units less than approximately {{convert|150|lb|kg|0}}. Full truckload carriers move entire [[semi-trailer]]s. Semi-trailers are typically between {{convert|26|and|53|ft|m|2}} and require a substantial amount of freight to make such transportation economical.{{cite book |last=McKinlay |first=A.H. |date=2004 |title=Transport Packaging |publisher=IoPP |page= }}{{Page needed|date=April 2026}}{{cite book |last=Fielder |first=R.M. |date=1995 |title=Distribution Packaging Technology |publisher=IoPP }} The term ''LTL'' can refer to the freight itself, or to the carrier that transports such freight.

'''Less-than-truckload shipping''' or '''less than load''' ('''LTL''') is the transportation of [[Cargo|freight]] amounts as small as one [[Package delivery|parcel]] and as large as a full [[Truckload shipping|truckload]].{{Cite web |last=Hoereth |first=Anthony |date=May 4, 2023 |title=What Is Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)? |url=https://www.xpo.com/resource-center/ltl/what-is-less-than-truckload/ |publisher=[[XPO, Inc.]] |access-date=2025-02-07 }} Parcel carriers handle small packages and freight that can be broken down into units less than approximately {{convert|150|lb|kg|0}}. Full truckload carriers move entire [[semi-trailer]]s. Semi-trailers are typically between {{convert|26|and|53|ft|m|2}} and require a substantial amount of freight to make such transportation economical.{{cite book |last=McKinlay |first=A.H. |date=2004 |title=Transport Packaging |publisher=IoPP |page= }}{{Page needed|date=April 2026}}{{cite book |last=Fielder |first=R.M. |date=1995 |title=Distribution Packaging Technology |publisher=IoPP |page= }}{{Page needed|date=April 2026}} The term ''LTL'' can refer to the freight itself, or to the carrier that transports such freight.

==LTL operations vs. FTL operations==

==LTL operations vs. FTL operations==

Full truck load (FTL) carriers typically haul loads for one single shipper. In these cases, the shipper "rents" a trailer to transport their product where it needs to go, typically paying a "per mile rate" from the carrier. However, with LTL, a single trailer can carry several different shippers' shipments and since each shipment is technically "less than a truckload" they would consider that to be LTL.

Full truck load (FTL) carriers typically haul loads for one single shipper. In these cases, the shipper "rents" a trailer to transport their product where it needs to go, typically paying a "per mile rate" from the carrier. However, with LTL, a single trailer can carry several different shippers' shipments and since each shipment is technically "less than a truckload" they would consider that to be LTL.

Due to the basic differences between these two modes, there are freight carriers who either specialize in FTL or LTL. While these carriers can crossover and handle freight shipments from the other mode, typically they operate under one mode. Oftentimes an LTL carrier can be references as a "common" carrier, one who handles common freight above what would normally ship via FedEx Ground, or UPS or USPS. LTL common carriers are also more likely to accept loose (non-[[pallet]]ized) cargo than the other two modes, FTL and parcel.{{cite web|url=http://freightwhisperer.com/freight/what-does-ltl-stand-for-in-the-transportation-trucking-industry/|title=What Does LTL Stand for ind the Transportation/ Trucking Industry?|access-date=13 December 2016}}

Due to the basic differences between these two modes, there are freight carriers who either specialize in FTL or LTL. While these carriers can crossover and handle freight shipments from the other mode, typically they operate under one mode. Oftentimes an LTL carrier can be references as a "common" carrier, one who handles common freight above what would normally ship via FedEx Ground, or UPS or USPS. LTL common carriers are also more likely to accept loose (non-[[pallet]]ized) cargo than the other two modes, FTL and parcel.{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}}

Less than truckload carriers use "hub and spoke" operations where linehauls or truck routes are the spokes, and service terminals for each carrier are the hubs (also called ''distribution centers'' or ''DCs''){{Cite journal |last1=Attar |first1=Ahmad |last2=Irawan |first2=Chandra Ade |last3=Akbari |first3=Ali Akbar |last4=Zhong |first4=Shuya |last5=Luis |first5=Martino |date=2024-12-01 |title=Multi-Disruption Resilient Hub Location—Allocation Network Design for Less-than-Truckload Logistics |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965856424003082 |journal=Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice |volume=190 |page= |doi=10.1016/j.tra.2024.104260 |issn=0965-8564 |access-date=2026-04-21 |pages=5-8}}. Terminals collect local freight from the various shippers they work with in an area and use the hub to consolidate the freight into regions or areas where those shipments are destined to be delivered. Because of the efficiency of this order of operations, most deliveries are performed in the morning and most pickups are made in the afternoon.

Less than truckload carriers use "hub and spoke" operations where linehauls or truck routes are the spokes, and service terminals for each carrier are the hubs (also called ''distribution centers'' or ''DCs''){{Cite journal |last1=Attar |first1=Ahmad |last2=Irawan |first2=Chandra Ade |last3=Akbari |first3=Ali Akbar |last4=Zhong |first4=Shuya |last5=Luis |first5=Martino |date=2024-12-01 |title=Multi-Disruption Resilient Hub Location—Allocation Network Design for Less-than-Truckload Logistics |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965856424003082 |journal=Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice |volume=190 |pages=5–8 |doi=10.1016/j.tra.2024.104260 |issn=0965-8564 |access-date=2026-04-21 }}. Terminals collect local freight from the various shippers they work with in an area and use the hub to consolidate the freight into regions or areas where those shipments are destined to be delivered. Because of the efficiency of this order of operations, most deliveries are performed in the morning and most pickups are made in the afternoon.

Pickup and delivery drivers usually have set casual routes which they travel every day or several times a week, so the driver has an opportunity to develop a rapport with their customers. Once the driver has filled their trailer or completed their assigned route, they return to their terminal for unloading. The trailer is unloaded and the individual shipments are then weighed and inspected to verify their conformity to the description contained in the accompanying paperwork.{{cite web |url=http://www.ltlfreightcenter.com/how-to-choose-ltl-freight-carriers-2.html |title=Choosing LTL Freight Carriers |access-date=10 October 2011 }} All LTL freight is subject to inspection (STI), though not all freight is inspected.

Pickup and delivery drivers usually have set casual routes which they travel every day or several times a week, so the driver has an opportunity to develop a rapport with their customers. Once the driver has filled their trailer or completed their assigned route, they return to their terminal for unloading. The trailer is unloaded and the individual shipments are then weighed and inspected to verify their conformity to the description contained in the accompanying paperwork.{{cite web |url=http://www.ltlfreightcenter.com/how-to-choose-ltl-freight-carriers-2.html |title=Choosing LTL Freight Carriers |access-date=10 October 2011 }} All LTL freight is subject to inspection (STI), though not all freight is inspected.

==See also==

==See also==

* {{Section link|Containerization#Less-than-container load}}

* {{Section link|Containerization#Less-than-container load}}

* [[Corrugated box design]]

* {{Annotated link|Corrugated box design}}

* [[Dimensional weight]]

* {{Annotated link|Dimensional weight}}

* {{Section link|Rail freight transport#Less than carload freight}}

* {{Section link|Rail freight transport#Less than carload freight}}

* [[Track and trace]]

* {{Annotated link|Track and trace}}

* [[Unit load]]

* {{Annotated link|Unit load}}

==References==

==References==