FTL

Full Truckload (FTL) shipping dedicates an entire trailer to a single shipper's freight, transporting it directly from pickup to delivery without stops at intermediate terminals. FTL is the most straightforward mode of trucking — one shipper, one trailer, one destination. A standard dry van trailer accommodates approximately 42-45 pallets or up to 44,000-45,000 pounds of freight (depending on the tractor configuration and axle weights).

FTL is typically the most cost-effective option when the shipment is large enough to fill (or nearly fill) a trailer. Key advantages include faster transit times (no stops at cross-dock terminals for sorting and consolidation), reduced handling (freight is loaded once and unloaded once, minimizing damage risk), and greater scheduling flexibility (pickup and delivery can be arranged around the shipper's and receiver's schedules). FTL is the preferred mode for time-sensitive, fragile, or high-value shipments.

FTL pricing is based primarily on mileage (distance from origin to destination), with additional factors including fuel surcharges, lane demand and seasonality, equipment type requirements (dry van, reefer, flatbed), accessorial charges (liftgate, detention, layover), and lead time. Unlike LTL, FTL rates are not based on freight classification or density — the shipper is paying for the entire trailer regardless of how much of the capacity is used.

The FTL market operates through a mix of contract freight (pre-negotiated rates and volume commitments, typically arranged through annual RFPs) and spot market freight (loads booked on-demand through brokers and load boards at prevailing market rates). Contract rates provide predictability for both shipper and carrier, while spot rates fluctuate based on supply and demand dynamics in specific lanes.