FTL vs. LTL: A Practical Guide for Small and Mid-size Shippers
Twelve pallets, three stops, one deadline. We walk through the math we use with new customers to choose between full truckload and consolidated freight.
November 19, 2025 · 8 min read · by the Klein dispatch team
The first question we ask a new shipper is rarely about price. It is: how many pallets, how heavy, and how flexible is the delivery date? Those three answers decide FTL vs. LTL more reliably than any rate calculator.
Pallet count. Under 6 pallets, LTL almost always wins on cost. Between 6 and 12, it depends on weight and density. Above 12, you are usually paying for a full trailer whether you book one or not.
Weight and class. LTL pricing uses NMFC class, which penalizes light, bulky freight (think furniture, insulation). For class 175+, FTL often comes out cheaper even at 8 pallets.
Time sensitivity. LTL transit involves terminal stops and consolidation. A two-day FTL run can be a four-day LTL run. If you have a hard delivery date, FTL removes a category of risk.
For most of our regional customers — Atlanta to Birmingham, Atlanta to Charlotte, Atlanta to Jacksonville — the breakeven sits around 8–10 standard pallets. Below, ship LTL on our weekly consolidated lanes. Above, book an FTL.
Need help with a load? Call dispatch at +1 (678) 756-1908 or request a quote.