Why Truckload Shipping Matters
Truckload shipping is one of the most important freight methods in North American logistics. Whether moving raw materials, finished goods, or time-sensitive products, truckload freight offers shippers the speed, control, and predictability they need to keep supply chains running smoothly.
And although many think of truckload as “just booking a truck,” there’s much more behind it. Capacity varies by season, rates fluctuate weekly, and choosing between full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) affects everything from pricing to transit times.
Understanding truckload transportation helps businesses:
• Avoid paying more in the peak season
• Select appropriate equipment: dry van, flatbed, or reefer
• Reduce delays at pickup/delivery
• Optimize pallet count and load planning
• No damage: choose the right mode.
If you’re comparing truckload to short-haul port movements, you can also explore how drayage works to understand where truckload fits into the overall flow of freight.
What Is Truckload Shipping? (FTL vs LTL)
In freight terms, truckload shipping refers to moving goods that fill most or all of a truck’s capacity. This is typically called Full Truckload (FTL).
FTL: Full Truckload
• One shipper’s freight
• Direct, one-stop pickup and delivery with no terminal stops
• Ideal for high-volume shipments, fragile cargo, or tight delivery timeframes
LTL: Less-Than-Truckload
• Multiple shippers take up space on one truck.
• Require terminals, sorting hubs, and transfers
• Better economy for small shipments, though at longer elapsed times
The difference between FTL and LTL often causes confusion, especially regarding cost.
Link: What’s the difference between FTL and LTL?
And if you’re comparing truckload to port-based container moves, some shippers also ask what’s the difference between truckload and drayage?
How Truckload Shipping Works in Logistics
Truckload shipping seems simple — a truck picks up freight and delivers it — but behind the scenes, many moving parts determine pricing, capacity, and timing. Here’s how it works step by step:
1. Load Planning
Shippers determine pallet count, weight, freight class (if applicable), pickup windows, equipment needed, and route.
2. Carrier or Broker Booking
A carrier is contracted directly, or a freight broker finds capacity on behalf of the shipper.
3. Driver Assignment
The carrier assigns a truck and driver based on equipment, route, and hours-of-service rules.
4. Pickup & Transit
The truck loads at the shipper’s dock and goes directly to the delivery location without terminal stops (unlike LTL).
5. Delivery & Unloading
Goods are delivered and unloaded and unhooked-live unload or drop trailer.
Understanding this process also helps compare truckload vs intermodal, especially for long distances.
Link: What Does Intermodal Mean in Freight?
Load Sizes, Weight Limits & Pallet Considerations
Typical Truckload Capacity
• Dry van: 53 ft
• Pallets: 26–30 standard pallets, depending on loading pattern
• Seating: Tare weight: As high as 44,000 lbs -80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight
Key Considerations
• Load “straight loads” vs. “pinwheeling” for pallet optimization
• Prevent overweight axles by not unevenly loading.
• Securing freight: straps, dunnage, e-track
• Floor loading vs. palletized impacts time and cost
When FTL Is Better
• High-value items, fragile, or sensitive items
• Foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals
• Apparel or packaged goods with volume.
• Time-sensitive replenishment of inventory for e-commerce
To compare this with port-based container moves, many shippers ask what’s the difference between drayage and freight?
Link: What’s the Difference Between Drayage and Freight?
Truckload Costs and Pricing Models
So how much does truckload shipping cost, and what’s included in that price?
Base Pricing Factors
• Route distance
• Lane popularity: backhaul vs headhaul
• Fuel prices and surcharges
• Driver availability
• Season-peak season, produce season, holidays
Equipment Type
• Dry Van: Standard and widely available
• Reefer: Temperature controlled makes it more expensive
• Flatbed: More fragile capacity, utilises specialist drivers
Common Accessorial Charges
• Detention (driver waiting time)
• Layover fees
• Ordered truck for TONU, never used
• Tarping fees (flatbed only)
• Lumper fees: costs of unloading at some warehouses
See How Much Does Truckload Shipping Cost? for a breakdown.
Link: How Much Does Truckload Shipping Cost?
And for what’s included with pricing, explore:
Link: What does Truckload Pricing include?
Compare this with port fees? For context of drayage, many shippers read:
Link: What’s the Difference Between Drayage and Detention?
Link: How Does Drayage Work?
Truckload vs LTL, Intermodal, and Drayage
Shippers often compare FTL with other methods when deciding how to move freight efficiently.
Truckload vs LTL
• FTL is faster, safer, and ideal to carry big volumes
• LTL is cheaper for small shipments but involves multiple terminals
Truckload vs Intermodal
• Intermodal is usually cheaper for long distances.
• Rail hauls the long part, with drayage doing local pickup/delivery
• Longer transit times, but cost savings can often be considerable
Is intermodal cheaper compared to truckload?
Link: Is Intermodal Cheaper Than Truckload?
Truckload vs. Drayage
• Drayage = short-distance container transport (port/rail)
• Truckload = long-haul regional or national delivery
See: What Is the Difference Between Truckload and Drayage?
How to Select the Right Truckload Carrier or Broker
Choosing the right truckload provider is essential for avoiding damage, delays, and unexpected fees.
What to Look For
• Experience in your type of freight-food, steel, consumer goods, etc.
• Safety ratings and insurance coverage
• Strong communication and real-time tracking
• On time pick-up and delivery performance
• Clear pricing transparency
• Ability to handle additional modes: LTL, intermodal, drayage
Questions to Ask
• Do you have any drop trailer programs?
• Detention and TONU: what’s your policy on these?
• How do you handle high-value loads?
• Do you provide after-hours support?
Conclusion and Next Steps
Truckload shipping is one of the most reliable and versatile freight methods available, offering speed, predictable transit times, reduced handling, and full control over your freight. And understanding load size, weight limits, equipment types, and pricing models allows businesses to optimize transportation budgets and avoid unnecessary costs.
Whether you’re shipping regionally or nationwide, the right truckload partner can make a significant impact on supply chain performance. At WTL, we provide more than just freight services. We bring decades of expertise in truckload, drayage, intermodal, and cross-border logistics, ensuring your shipments get where they need to go safely, efficiently, and on time.
If you’d like help optimizing truckload freight, reach out anytime. Our team is here to support every step of your logistics process.