The first question in most quotes is simple: does your cargo need a whole trailer? The answer decides the price, the schedule and how often your goods are handled.
Full truckload (FTL)
With FTL the truck and trailer carry only your cargo. It is loaded once and driven to the consignee without reloading. FTL usually makes sense when your cargo fills most of a standard trailer, when it is fragile or high value, or when the delivery date is tight.
Groupage (LTL)
With groupage you share the trailer with other shippers and pay for the pallets or volume you use. It is often the most economical option for a few pallets. Because the truck collects and delivers several consignments, transit can take longer than a dedicated load.
A quick way to decide
Choose FTL if most of these are true:
- Your cargo takes up a large part of a trailer by weight or volume
- The goods should not be reloaded on the way
- You need a fixed loading and delivery window
Not sure? Select "Not sure yet" in the quote form. We compare both options for your lane and tell you which one is better value.