LTL vs FTL shipping: which saves money on your freight?
Clear comparison from Gateway Logistics, LTL shipping experts in Illinois, IL.
You have freight that's too big for parcel shipping but doesn't fill a whole truck. The choice between less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) shipping in Illinois comes down to your shipment size, timeline, and budget. Making the wrong choice costs you money.
LTL shipping works when your freight takes up less than 75% of a trailer. Your shipment shares truck space with other customers' cargo. FTL shipping means you rent the entire trailer, even if your freight only fills half of it. The breakeven point usually happens around 12-15 pallets or 15,000 pounds.
LTL costs less for smaller shipments because you split truck costs with other shippers. Expect to pay $1-3 per pound depending on distance and freight class. FTL becomes cheaper when your shipment fills most of the trailer. You'll pay $1,500-4,000 for the whole truck regardless of how much space you use.
Calculate cost per pound, not just total price. If LTL quotes $2,000 for your 8,000-pound shipment, that's 25 cents per pound. If FTL quotes $2,800 for the same load, that's 35 cents per pound. LTL wins. Gateway Logistics can run both calculations and show you real numbers for your Illinois freight.
The right choice keeps your shipping costs predictable and your freight moving on schedule. You'll know exactly what each pound costs and when your shipment arrives at its destination.
Other things people in Illinois ask
why are freight costs so high
Freight rates swing with fuel, driver shortages, and seasonal demand. A freight broker tracks these patterns daily and can lock in better rates through carrier relationships. They also spot when you're getting overcharged.
partial load freight shipping LTL
LTL shipping lets you pay only for the space you use. Your freight gets consolidated with other partial loads. Expect 2-5 days longer transit time than full truckload. Package your freight on pallets for easier handling.
LTL shipping vs waiting for full truckload
LTL makes sense when you need frequent smaller shipments or can't wait to accumulate a full load. If your customers need steady deliveries and you can't afford to hold inventory, ship LTL. If you can batch shipments and time isn't critical, waiting for a full truckload usually costs less per pound.
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Gateway Logistics handles ltl (less than truckload) in Illinois and the area around it.