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Partial Truckload

See how partial truckload saves money and offers a Low-Cost alternative for LTL shipping. Use our Instant Freight Rate calculator to get instant quotes

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Why Choose FreightCenter For Your Partial Truckloads?

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Manage all freight quotes & shipments in one place
30+ years of transportation experience working for you!

Experienced Partial Load Shipping

Our experienced staff will manage all the variables needed to ensure a smooth shipping and safe arrival of your less-than-truckload cargo, including coordinating pickup and delivery, customs management, and permits. Planning is the key to successful cargo transport. We have earned a reputation for meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations. 800.716.7608

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Shipping option

LTL (Less-Than-Truckload)

LTL shipping is used for small freight or when the items don't require the use of an entire trailer. Your freight is combined with other shipments to fill an entire trailer. It is ideal for shipments under 15,000 pounds.

Full Truckload

Full truckload is used when shippers have enough items to fill an entire truck or they want their shipment in a trailer all by itself.

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What our customers are saying

I would recommend Freightcenter.com to anyone.

Working With Jennifer Rendine has been super easy. I know that every detail will be taken care of with each and every shipment. I would recommend Freightcenter.com to anyone. 5 Stars!

Jeff

It was very easy to do and priced right

It was very easy to do and priced right . The people I talked to were very friendly and helpful !

Neal

It was a great experience.

It was a great experience. Everything went very smoothly. My customer service rep was exceptional!

Deb

Thank you Freight Center for the good job.

I have used Freight Center for 3 different pickups and so far everything has worked beautifully. I would highly recommend their services and the pricing is very competitive. Thank you Freight Center for the good job.

David

Great service and lowest price.

So happy using FreightCenter. Great service and the lowest price. My go to shipper from now on!

Tom R.

Easy to work with

Easy to work with. Scheduled on line and then a CS rep called us to make sure all the details were in order to ship our product correctly to the customer.

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Awards and Endorsements

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2020 & 2019 Top Food Logistics’ 3PL & Cold Storage Provider Award
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2012 TIA Samaritan Award Honorable Mention
2013, 2011, & 2010 Diversity Business Top Businesses

What Our Customers Say about our PTL Service

FreightCenter offers reliable, on-time, cost-effective partial truckload shipping services. Shipping PTL volumes can be expensive if you pay for a full container or trailer to ship your smaller freight. FreightCenter’s logistics services coordinate LTL freight scheduling to combine shipments from different companies to create a full truckload. This lowers shipping costs for all companies utilizing the LTL service.

As an experienced shipping broker, we have a broad network of carriers that provides us with flexibility and the resources to be able to coordinate partial TL shipments throughout North America so that we can arrange shipment to your destination, saving you freight costs and allowing you greater visibility of your transportation spend.

Our network of over 11,000 carriers can provide you with access to the type of LTL trucking setup you need to transport your freight, including vans, flatbeds, step decks & double drops. The carriers in our network are qualified professionals and maintain the highest DOT safety ratings, substantial liability and cargo insurance, industry certifications, and international documentation.

FreightCenter PTL by the numbers

24 Years In Business

1.5m+ LTL Shipments Delivered

93%+ On-Time Performance

99.1% Damage Free LTL Shipments

What Is A Partial Truckload?

Partial freight shipping is a different type of freight shipping. A partial truckload is a hybrid between a full truckload and a less-than-load. Partials becomes an option for shipments larger than LTL and smaller than FTL.

Partial truckload carriers are usually for shipments that weigh between 5,000 lbs to 40,000 lbs or between 5-14 pallets. PTL shipping may be your best option if your shipment falls within these parameters. Unlike shipping LTL, PTL is usually a straight shot.

This means the same truck that picks up a shipment is the same one that will deliver it. With PTL shipping, you have less chance of damage because your shipment doesn’t transfer from trailer to dock and back onto the trailer. As a result of this, a PTL transit time is reduced.

Reduced Shipping Times

In logistics, the two common types of shipping are LTL and FTL. Rarely do logistics providers offer the PTL option to the shipper. Shipping PTL can significantly reduce your freight shipping costs if it fits a specific shipper’s requirements.

Suppose you are expanding your shipping horizons or executing the initial groundwork for deciding which shipping best suits your company. In that case, You need to decide which mode is best. Let’s dive deeper into the differences between LTL and PTL shipping.

Differences Between PTL and LTL

LTL or PTL, which one to choose? This depends on what kind of products and how many units you are shipping. LTL might be a better solution if you are a small seller and your products are not susceptible to damage. On the other hand, PTL is typically a faster option. In terms of pricing, the two methods are similar.

The differences between PTL and LTL are minor. The big difference between PTL and LTL is that on a PTL, the shipment almost always stays on the same truck from pickup to delivery. As a consequence, there is less handling with a PTL. An LTL shipment will be moved from trailer to trailer. This can happen several times depending on the route the LTL shipment goes.

As a result of PTL being priced on weight, size, and distance, you do not need to know the freight class. Since so many factors are involved, it’s best to work with an expert such as FreightCenter. We help you determine the best shipping solutions for PTL, LTL, or FTL.

Four factors of PTL Pricing:

Weight & Size:

Does your load weigh 5,000 to 25,000 pounds? What is the number of pallets you are going to be shipping?

Type of freight:

Is your shipment Fragile or Durable? Is it consolidated into one multi-pallet unit or multiple pallets?

Type of delivery:

Does it need to be expedited? Do you need your shipment to show up in a specific timeframe? Shippers that want to use PTL have to be flexible. There isn't always a trailer that has enough space for your shipment.

Accessorial:

Do you have specific loading or unloading requirements? Do you need any special equipment to load or unload your shipment?

Partial Truckload Typical Demographics

Shipping 5,000 to 25,000 pounds
Small-medium sized business
5-22 pallets

What Types of Shippers Use PTL?

Partial load shippers are typically geared toward small-medium-sized businesses. These types of companies use a blend of LTL and FTL shipping. Partial Truckload (PTL) shipping handles shipments between 5 and 20 pallets. Less than truckload (LTL) shipping is excellent for shipping up to 4 pallets.

This method will use a variety of trailers and distribution hubs to handle the partial truckload shipment. It is common for mainstream shipping services to take a load three or more times; therefore, using Partial truck services can be a great option.

LTL will generally have longer delivery times. This depends on carrier availability and truck space. Full truckload (FTL) shipping uses an entire trailer space for transporting. This method offers direct routes and will handle the load only once. FTL usually has faster transit times and reduces the risks of handling damages. This method of shipping often costs more than other alternatives. 800.716.7608

Even though PTL shipments stay on the same truck, they may be combined with other loads. It is important to specify if you want a dedicated shipment. If you don’t set your delivery time requirements, you risk your shipping riding with other shippers’ loads.

Consequently, in the above “ride-share” scenario with PTL, even though there is less cargo handling, your shipment can take longer to get delivered.

The partial truckload will share the truck with other customers in this scenario. Sharing your PTL means you will share the truck’s fare for your respective portions according to all the factors that affect the freight rates, including weight and type of freight.

You need not meet the other customer and fight over the fare. This is where FreightCenter steps in. We deal with providing you with a rate estimate before you request a pickup.

Advantages of arranging a partial

Faster Delivery for a Lower Price. Weight limits on partials are between 5K lbs and 25k lbs. This type of shipping will compete with LTL rates while giving the delivery times of FTL services. The benefits of Partial shipping offer fewer stops, less handling, and cargo insurance options.

Partial truckload services do not need freight class classifications and have some limitations.
Freight shipping moves most shipments through trade routes. If you are within these routes, your service times will be fast for pickup and delivery.
Heavy products on a few pallets only sometimes qualify for partial TL services.
Complete logistic management of your shipment
Door-to-door delivery and cross-border logistics for shipping throughout North America (US, Mexico, and Canada)
Expedited transport of emergency supplies & mission-critical equipment
Guaranteed service quality at competitive rates
GPS tracking & real-time location updates
Comprehensive insurance for high-value loads

We serve a range of industries, including oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, mining, construction, and manufacturing. Our commitment to excellence, supported by our staff and extensive network, will ensure that your specialty or standard cargo will reach its destination safely and on time. 800.716.7608

When to Use PTL Shipping

As stated earlier, PTL may be a better option than LTL. This applies to shipments with more than 4 pallets or if the total weight exceeds 5,000 lbs. There are some cases when the cost of PTL and the cost of LTL are the same. If you choose LTL, you’ll pay for a longer transit time and have your shipment switch trailers several times. PTL shipping doesn’t charge you for dimensional weight. Last but not least, as we stated before, there’s less of a chance that your shipment will be damaged because it will go through fewer unloads. We want to note here: sometimes, a company offering PTL won’t ship something deemed sensitive, as they don’t want to deal with unique classifications or the possibility of damage.

When is LTL Better than PTL?

PTL is an excellent option for shipments that weigh more than 5,000 lbs and require 5 or more pallets. On the other hand, LTL shipping is perfect for lightweight loads. LTL is almost always the best solution when shipping less than 5 pallets. LTL also has the advantage of getting a same-day pickup. This is due to the number of freight carriers that provide LTL shipping over PTL shipping. Due to capacity, while the transit time of an LTL may take slightly longer than a PTL, an LTL will likely be delivered faster. Finding a truck with enough space to handle your shipment can take time.

Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.

Compare Partial Truckload Prices Instantly

Trust the experts at FreightCenter to give you the best prices and options for your shipping. The cheapest shipping cost from all the top carriers is just a few steps away. Fill in a few short details about your shipment and receive instant Specialized Freight Services from leading freight carriers in one easy place. Businesses that ship products quickly become aware of the many options available.

You’ll often have items you need to send, but you can only fill part of the truck. Partial truckload (PTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) services give shippers the option of sending items to a location on an ongoing basis, whether shipping a few pallets or a complete load. Third-party logistics providers specialize in pairing shippers with the transportation services they need. Experts in logistics know how to find the right truck to fulfill the shippers’ needs.

If the shipper only needs 20 feet of space in a truck. In that case, logistics professionals have the knowledge and resources to match that carrier needing a 20-foot load with the shipper that needs 20 feet of truck space. But PTL and LTL can be confusing since they seem, on the surface, to refer to the same thing. However, there are differences between the two.

Conclusion

With the many parts of the shipping industry, LTL and FTL are the most dominant types of shipping. One is aimed at established businesses with massive shipping budgets, while the other is at smaller-medium-sized businesses. The rarer PTL isn’t in the same running as LTL and FTL, but it can be a hidden gem for a company that can utilize it. If that’s you, reach out to a freighter or broker and see what PTL can do for you!

PTL faqs

What is a partial truckload?

PTL is a hybrid between FTL and LTL shipping and involves shipments that are too large for less-than-truckload but not large enough for a full truckload. Partials are typically between 6-20 pallets and weigh between 8,000-20,000 pounds.

What is the difference between PTL and LTL?

What’s the difference between LTL and PTL? PTL shipments generally make multiple stops along their routes. Still, unlike LTL freight, once the trailer leaves the consolidation location, it will get unloaded once it reaches its final destination.

What is a partial load?

Partial load refers to a load that only partially uses the available freight space of the means of transport. The English term LTL “Less-than-Truck-Load,” has become established for a truck part load, and LCL, “Less-than-Container-Load,” for a container part load.

What is a full truckload vs. a partial truckload?

A full truckload is a kind of freight that implies that a single truck is filled with goods belonging to one company or individual. In part- truck load, goods belonging to different parties are present.

How do partial loads work?

Partial loads usually consist of cargo that takes up lots of space with little weight and is delivered to the vehicle from which it was loaded. Partials are door-to-door. This differs from the traditional LTL model, where freight can be frequently on and offloaded.

How many pallets are considered LTL?

Less-than-load is a mode of over-the-road transportation. This is used for shipments ranging from 1 to 6 pallets (or less than 12 linear feet). Like full truckload, LTL uses semi trucks but hauls multiple shippers’ freight together on the same trailer.

What is a partial trailer?

The partial trailer is a freight trailer used for shipments that are too large for LTL shipping but do not require a full truckload trailer.

What is a partial flatbed?

Shipping partials load, as they call it, in the freight industry. A partial flatbed is, as the name sounds, only using part of the flatbed. One of the most used service modes is flatbed trailers used for partial loads.