Should I ship LTL or wait for a full truckload?
Smart freight decisions for New Mexico businesses from Gateway Logistics.
You have freight ready to ship but it won't fill a whole truck. Your customers are waiting, but full truckload rates look cheaper per pound. New Mexico businesses face this choice daily, especially when shipping to major markets like Denver, Phoenix, or Dallas.
This is the classic trade-off between speed and cost per pound. LTL shipping means you pay only for the space you use, typically 12-28 feet of a 53-foot trailer. Full truckload gives you the whole trailer and better per-pound rates, but you need 26,000+ pounds or enough volume to justify the cost.
LTL costs more per pound but gets your freight moving now. Expect to pay 15-30% more per pound than truckload rates. Full truckload costs less per pound but requires you to accumulate enough freight to fill most of a trailer. That could mean weeks of waiting, plus warehouse costs for storing inventory.
Ship LTL when your customers need steady deliveries or when holding inventory costs more than the shipping premium. Choose full truckload when you can batch orders, time isn't critical, and you have the warehouse space. Gateway Logistics can run both options and show you real numbers for your specific freight and destinations.
The right choice keeps your customers happy without breaking your shipping budget. You'll know you're shipping smart when deliveries arrive on schedule and your freight costs stay predictable month to month.
Other things people in New Mexico 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 vs FTL shipping comparison
FTL makes sense when your shipment fills 75% or more of a trailer, or when speed matters more than cost. LTL works for smaller shipments but takes longer with multiple stops. Calculate cost per pound, not just total price.
Ready to talk?
Gateway Logistics handles ltl (less than truckload) in New Mexico and the area around it.