Full Truckload (FTL)

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Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.freightos.com/freight-resources/ftl-vs-ltl/

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Check transit time: city-to-city index

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Definition & Explanation

Shippers and freight forwarders opt for full truckload (FTL) when a shipment is large enough to fill an entire truck, allowing it to travel directly from origin to destination without consolidation stops or additional pickups en route. Compared to less-than-truckload (LTL) services, FTL eliminates transhipment at groupage hubs, cutting transit time and reducing the risk of handling damage. The shipper pays for the entire vehicle, but for large volumes the cost per unit typically undercuts groupage rates. FTL is particularly well suited to time-critical, fragile, or high-value goods where access by third parties must be prevented.

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Related Terms

Full Truckload

Less Than Truckload (LTL) Freight

Assembly of Freight Consolidation Units

Exclusive Use Carrier Agreements

Highway carrier

Partial Truckload (PTL)

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