FTL (Full Truckload)

FTL (Full Truckload) is a freight shipping method where a single shipper books an entire truck trailer for their cargo. The trailer travels directly from the pickup location to the delivery destination without stopping at terminals for consolidation with other shippers’ freight. FTL is the preferred method for large shipments that fill or nearly fill a trailer, typically ten or more pallets, or when the shipper needs faster transit times and less handling than LTL provides.

When to Use FTL

The decision between FTL and LTL comes down to volume, urgency, and cost per unit. A standard 53-foot dry van trailer holds approximately 26 standard pallets (48×40 inches, stacked to a maximum height of 102 inches) or about 2,500 cubic feet of cargo. Maximum legal weight for the freight inside the trailer is roughly 44,000 to 45,000 pounds, depending on the tractor weight and state weight limits.

FTL becomes cost-effective compared to LTL once a shipment reaches approximately 10,000 to 12,000 pounds or fills half the trailer or more. At that threshold, the LTL rate for the volume often approaches or exceeds the cost of booking the full trailer. For a shipment of 18 pallets weighing 22,000 pounds from Los Angeles to Dallas, FTL might cost $2,800 to $3,500 while the equivalent LTL rate could reach $4,000 to $5,500 depending on freight class and accessorials.

FTL also makes sense for time-sensitive shipments regardless of volume. Because the trailer goes direct without terminal stops, transit times are shorter. A cross-country FTL shipment from California to the East Coast takes three to five days, compared to five to seven days for LTL on the same lane. For Amazon sellers racing to replenish FBA inventory before a stockout, the two-day transit advantage of FTL can mean thousands of dollars in preserved sales.

FTL Pricing

FTL rates are quoted per mile, per load, or through a flat rate for the lane. Per-mile rates fluctuate based on diesel fuel prices, seasonal demand, driver availability, and lane-specific supply and demand dynamics. National average dry van rates have ranged from $1.50 to $3.50 per mile over recent years, with significant variation by lane and season. High-demand lanes (such as outbound from Southern California or inbound to the Northeast during Q4) command premium rates.

Unlike LTL, FTL pricing does not use freight class. The carrier charges for the trailer regardless of what is inside it. Whether the trailer carries 10,000 pounds of lightweight consumer goods or 44,000 pounds of dense machinery, the rate for the lane is the same (though overweight loads requiring special permits add cost). This flat pricing structure benefits shippers with bulky, lightweight goods that would be expensive under LTL’s class-based system.

Equipment Types

Dry van trailers are the standard for general merchandise, Amazon FBA shipments, and consumer goods. Refrigerated trailers (reefers) carry temperature-sensitive products and cost 20% to 40% more than dry vans. Flatbed trailers handle oversized or heavy items that cannot fit inside an enclosed trailer. Step-deck and double-drop trailers provide lower deck heights for tall cargo. Conestoga trailers combine flatbed access with enclosed protection using a retractable tarp system.

FTL for Amazon FBA Inbound

Sellers shipping large quantities of inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers frequently use FTL. Amazon’s inbound receiving appointments for FTL shipments are scheduled through Seller Central or through the carrier’s appointment system. The trailer must arrive on the scheduled date and within the appointment window. Late or missed appointments may result in the shipment being turned away and requiring a rescheduled delivery, adding cost and delay.

Amazon requires FTL deliveries to meet specific floor-loading or palletizing standards. Palletized shipments must use GMA pallets (48×40 inches), and each pallet must be labeled with Amazon’s pallet label. Floor-loaded trailers must have a piece count that matches the shipping plan. Discrepancies result in receiving delays and potential chargebacks.

Sellers shipping from a prep center to Amazon can combine inventory for multiple FBA shipments onto a single FTL trailer if the destinations are the same fulfillment center. This consolidation maximizes trailer utilization and reduces the per-unit freight cost compared to sending multiple smaller LTL shipments.