Freight Shipping 101: A Beginner’s Guide

If you’re new to freight shipping, the world of acronyms and shipping options can feel overwhelming. Terms like LTL and FTL get thrown around often, but what do they actually mean? More importantly, how do you know which option is right for your business?

This beginner-friendly guide will break down the most common types of freight shipping in the U.S., explain the differences between LTL freight and FTL freight, and help you determine which shipping solution best fits your needs.

What Is Freight Shipping?

Freight services are the backbone of supply chains, enabling businesses to move goods across the country efficiently. Unlike parcel shipping (think UPS or FedEx for small boxes), freight shipping deals with larger, bulkier shipments that typically exceed 150 pounds.

In the U.S., two of the most common freight shipping options are:

LTL (Less Than Truckload)
FTL (Full Truckload)

Understanding the difference between these services is crucial to saving money, reducing delays, and improving your overall logistics strategy.

What Is LTL Freight Shipping?

LTL (Less Than Truckload) freight shipping is designed for shipments that don’t require a full truck. Instead, multiple businesses share space on the same truck.

Key Features of LTL Freight:

Shared space: Your shipment travels alongside goods from other businesses.
Weight range: Typically 150 to 15,000 pounds.
Cost-effective: You only pay for the space you use.
Flexibility: Ideal for smaller, recurring shipments.

When to Use LTL Freight Services:

You’re shipping a few pallets, not a full truckload.
You want to save money by sharing transportation costs.
You don’t need strict delivery timelines.

👉 Example: A small e-commerce business shipping six pallets of inventory to different distribution centers would benefit from LTL freight services.

What Is FTL Freight Shipping?

FTL (Full Truckload) freight shipping means your goods take up an entire truck. No sharing, no co-loading, just your freight from point A to point B.

Key Features of FTL Freight:

Exclusive use of a truck: The truck carries only your shipment.
Weight range: Typically over 15,000 pounds or enough to fill 26+ pallets.
Faster transit times: Fewer stops mean quicker deliveries.
More security: Less handling reduces the risk of damage.

When to Use FTL Freight Services:

You’re shipping high volumes or oversized goods.
You have strict delivery deadlines.
You want less handling of your products.

👉 Example: A manufacturer moving 40,000 pounds of raw materials from one warehouse to another would rely on FTL freight shipping.

LTL vs. FTL: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	LTL Freight Services	FTL Freight Services
Weight Range	150–15,000 lbs	15,000+ lbs
Cost	Pay for shared space	Pay for full truck
Transit Time	Longer (multiple stops)	Faster (direct route)
Security	More handling	Minimal handling
Best For	Smaller, frequent shipments	Large, time-sensitive shipments

How to Choose the Right Freight Service

When deciding between LTL and FTL freight services, consider these factors:

Shipment Size & Weight – Do your goods fill a full truck or just a portion?
Budget – Are you looking for the most cost-effective option, or the fastest?
Delivery Timeline – Do you have flexible deadlines, or must your goods arrive by a specific date?
Product Type – Fragile, high-value, or temperature-sensitive products often benefit from FTL.
Shipping Frequency – Regular, smaller shipments may be more efficient with LTL.

By weighing these factors, businesses can find the most efficient and cost-effective freight shipping solution for their supply chain.

Why Choosing the Right Freight Service Matters

Selecting between LTL and FTL isn’t just about cost—it impacts:

Customer satisfaction (on-time deliveries)
Product quality (less damage in transit)
Operational efficiency (optimized supply chain flow)

The wrong choice can lead to unnecessary expenses or delays, while the right choice strengthens your logistics strategy.

Freight Services with The Freight Squad

At Freight Squad, we specialize in helping businesses across the U.S. choose and manage the right freight solution. Whether you need LTL freight services for small shipments or FTL freight services for high-volume moves, we provide customized logistics support that saves you time and money.

✅ Nationwide coverage
✅ Flexible freight shipping solutions
✅ Logistics expertise tailored to your business

Ready to optimize your freight strategy? Contact Freight Squad today to find the best shipping option for your business.