# Less Than Truckload (LTL) Freight

*Last updated: 2026-06-25*

> Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight makes road transport cost-effective for shipments that do not fill an entire truck: multiple shippers share trailer space, each paying only for their portion.

Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight makes road transport cost-effective for shipments that do not fill an entire truck: multiple shippers share trailer space, each paying only for their portion. LTL is typically suited to consignments from around 100 kg up to the threshold of a full truckload—roughly 20 to 24 tonnes of payload depending on vehicle type. Carriers consolidate freight at hub terminals, enabling dense regional networks with daily departures. Unlike Full Truckload (FTL), LTL shipments usually pass through one or more intermediate cross-dock points, which can extend transit times. The result for shippers is a clear trade-off: lower per-unit costs in exchange for reduced precision in delivery windows.

**Source:** [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/less-than-truckload.asp](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/less-than-truckload.asp)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Less Than Truckload (LTL) Freight |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 109 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-25 |
| Source | https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/less-than-truckload.asp |

---

*Logistics Glossary — Freight Academy: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/less-than-truckload-ltl-freight](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/less-than-truckload-ltl-freight)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/glossary/en/less-than-truckload-ltl-freight](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/glossary/en/less-than-truckload-ltl-freight)*

*JSON summary: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/glossary/less-than-truckload-ltl-freight/llm-summary?lang=en](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/glossary/less-than-truckload-ltl-freight/llm-summary?lang=en)*