What Are the Main Differences Between FTL and LTL Shipping?

Introduction: Freight companies must choose between two common road-transport methods: Full Truckload (FTL) and Less Than Truckload (LTL). Understanding FTL and LTL shipping options is crucial for managing cost, timing, and shipment size. These terms appear often in international logistics, especially on routes like China–Russia, China–Central Asia, or China–Belarus. FTL typically means renting an entire truck for one shipper, while LTL shares space among multiple shippers. Knowing the FTL and LTL differences helps businesses pick the right mode for their needs​.

What are FTL and LTL?

• FTL (Full Truckload) shipping means the entire truck is booked by one shipper. As one industry source explains, “Full truckload (FTL) shipping means hiring an entire, dedicated truck for a shipment... it heads straight to its destination without any intermediate stops”​. This point-to-point model is ideal for large, heavy, or time-sensitive loads. Since only one customer’s freight is on board, FTL shipments usually move faster and involve less handling.
• LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipping consolidates freight from several shippers into one truck. Approved Forwarders note that LTL shipments are “loaded into the same truck, allowing [shippers] to share space. These shipments will all head to their destinations, so the truck will make several stops along the way”​. LTL is typically used for smaller shipments (generally 150–15,000 pounds, or roughly 6–10 pallets​). In LTL shipping, customers pay only for the portion of the truck they use, making it a cost-effective choice for partial loads.

Since each method has strengths and weaknesses, it’s helpful to compare FTL and LTL across several factors.

Key Differences Between FTL and LTL Shipping

Companies choosing between FTL and LTL shipping should consider:

• Cost: With FTL, you pay for the whole truck no matter how full it is​. This makes FTL more expensive for small shipments. In contrast, LTL shippers pay only for the space or weight they use on the truck​. For smaller loads, LTL is generally cheaper because the cost is shared among multiple shippers. However, if your freight is large enough to nearly fill a truck, FTL offers economies of scale – the per-unit cost can be lower when a truck is full​.
• Transit Time and Speed: FTL shipments go directly from origin to destination with no extra stops. This usually means faster, more predictable delivery. One guide notes that FTL “doesn’t have to wait around for trailers to be filled and proceeds directly to the destination,” making it typically faster than LTL. In contrast, LTL trucks make multiple pickups and drop-offs, so deliveries take longer. Experts point out that LTL’s many stops lead to a “longer delivery timeline,” so LTL transit times are usually slower than FTL​.
• Load Size & Cargo: FTL is suited for large or heavy shipments – essentially any cargo that fills a whole truck (often over 10 pallets or 15,000+ pounds. LTL is for smaller shipments. If your freight is below those thresholds, LTL will likely be more cost-effective. (Some carriers even offer “volume LTL” services for moderate loads that are too big for standard LTL but don’t need a full truck.)
• Handling & Risk: FTL shipments are loaded once at the origin and unloaded once at the destination, with minimal intermediate handling. As a result, FTL has a lower risk of damage or loss. With LTL, goods are often moved through distribution centers and transferred between trailers en route, which means more handling steps. Approved Forwarders warns that LTL’s multiple loading cycles raise the chance of damage​.
• Flexibility & Services: LTL offers flexibility for varying or smaller shipments – you don’t need to fill a whole truck to book transport. LTL carriers often provide additional services (like liftgate delivery, scheduled pickups, or special handling) because they operate extensive networks. In contrast, FTL requires a dedicated large shipment and typically has simpler routing. LTL is generally more adaptable for irregular volumes, while FTL is more rigid but straightforward.
• Security: In an FTL shipment, the cargo stays sealed in one truck with one driver all the way through. This makes it generally more secure. As WWEX notes, because FTL freight is handled less, it “is generally more secure” than LTL. LTL freight, being shared with others, may be moved between trucks, which can raise liability concerns.
• Ideal Scenarios: Summing up, FTL is best for large, high-value, or time-sensitive shipments that benefit from direct delivery​. LTL is best for smaller loads where cost savings are important​. The table below highlights the main advantages of each mode:
  

  Feature / Factor	FTL (Full Truckload)	LTL (Less-Than-Truckload)
  Cost	Higher fixed cost (whole-truck rate); lower per-unit cost if truck is full​	Lower cost for small loads (pay only for space used)​
  Transit Time	Faster transit (no intermediate stops)​	Slower transit (multiple stops/deliveries)
  Load Capacity	Best for large shipments (full truck capacity)​	Best for smaller shipments (few pallets)​
  Handling	Minimal handling (one load/unload)​	More handling (multiple terminals/hubs)​
  Security	High (dedicated truck, sealed)​	Lower (shared truck, multiple transfers)​
  Flexibility	Less flexible (full load needed, fixed schedule)	More flexible (ship partial loads anytime)​
  Ideal For	Urgent, fragile, or very large shipments​	Smaller shipments where cost is key​

When to Use FTL vs LTL

Choosing between FTL and LTL depends on your shipment’s priorities. Consider:

• Size & Weight: If your cargo exceeds roughly 15,000 lbs or 10 pallets, FTL is usually required​. For much smaller loads, LTL is more economical​.
• Speed Needs: For time-critical deliveries, FTL is preferred because it avoids hub delays. (FTL is often “the faster choice,” whereas LTL’s extra stops inherently slow transit​.)
• Value/Fragility: High-value or fragile goods favor FTL (less handling). For routine items, LTL is fine.
• Budget: If the budget is tight, LTL lowers costs by charging only for used space. But watch that slower transit could affect schedules.
• Route & Services: Check available routes. Some remote destinations might only have LTL options via consolidation centers. FTL allows more direct routing.

In practice, freight managers weigh these factors (size, speed, cost, product type) to pick the best method for each load.

FTL and LTL on Key Eurasian Routes

Modern trade routes connecting China with Russia, Central Asia, and Belarus demonstrate how both FTL and LTL are used:

China to Russia

On the China–Russia road corridor, both FTL and LTL are common. Providers offer daily trucking services from China to Russia (and Europe/CIS) with options for FTL shipping from China to Russia as well as LTL​. Typical transit by road is about 14–19 days​. FTL shipments on this route go directly and are often booked by exporters of large machinery or bulk goods. LTL shipments carry combined smaller loads for multiple customers, saving cost at the expense of additional stops. One logistics site notes that goods shipped by truck from China generally arrive in Russian cities within about 20 days, which is considered “efficient and cost-effective”​. For example, Dear-Railway Container Transport offers specialized FTL services on this corridor – even certified FTL chemical transport between China and Russia​ dearrailwaytransport.com – highlighting how dedicated full-truck services are used for sensitive cargo.

China to Central Asia

Shipping to Central Asian countries (e.g. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan) often uses a mix of modes. Trucks travel through border points like Khorgos, Dostyk, or Alashankou. On these routes, logistics providers also offer both FTL and LTL options. For instance, one operator advertises daily departures to Mongolia/Central Asia with LTL and FTL shipping Central Asia services. Shippers sending bulk commodities or full trailers will use FTL, while smaller traders use LTL combinations. Moreover, modern freight transportation from China to Central Asia may combine road and rail. Rail shipments via Kazakhstan-Russia-Belarus average only ~5.8 days the speed of rail. Many supply chains in this region use rail (an FTL-like container service) for the long haul and trucks for final delivery. Overall, FTL and LTL trucking are available in Central Asia, but the exact choice depends on each cargo’s volume, timing, and cost requirements.

China to Belarus

Belarus is a strategic hub on the China–Europe route (the “New Silk Road”). About 82% of trans-Eurasian container traffic moves through Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus​. In this corridor, large shipments often go by rail or FTL to Belarus and beyond. For road freight, FTL shipments to Belarus typically travel overland through Kazakhstan and Russia into Belarus, carrying full loads directly to Minsk or nearby. LTL shipments to Belarus might be consolidated in European hubs or at Belarusian terminals before final delivery. Although specific stats for FTL/LTL splits are scarce, companies often treat shipments to Belarus as part of wider China–Europe logistics. Some full-container freight (FTL-scale) moves by rail to Belarus, while smaller consignments may use mixed road routes. In logistics contexts, logistics from China to Belarus means balancing speed and cost with multimodal services. Providers emphasize that integrating road and rail helps optimize both FTL and LTL shipments on this route.

Conclusion

FTL and LTL shipping each have distinct advantages. FTL offers a dedicated truck, faster transit, and more security for large or high-value loads. LTL shares cost and flexibly accommodates smaller shipments. We’ve summarized the key differences in cost, speed, handling, and ideal uses. When deciding, shippers should align the choice with their load size, delivery timeline, and budget.

On routes from China to Central Asia, Russia, or Belarus, both modes are used in tandem. Large-volume exporters may use FTL shipping on long-haul corridors, while smaller traders rely on LTL consolidation. Companies like Dear-Railway Container Transport offer integrated FTL and LTL solutions across these regions ​dearrailwaytransport.com, helping customers optimize freight costs and delivery times. By understanding the advantages of FTL and LTL and their differences, businesses can make informed choices, ensuring their goods travel efficiently along key Eurasian trade routes.