---
title: "LTL (Less than Truckload)"
description: "LTL (less than truckload) service is used for smaller shipments that take up less than a full truckload and can be combined with other small shipments to fill up a truck."
language: en
canonical: https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/less-than-truckload/
lifecycle: live
dateModified: 2026-08-20T06:44:11Z
topics:
  - "Trucking"
---

# LTL (Less than Truckload)

LTL (less than truckload) service is used for smaller shipments that take up less than a full truckload and can be combined with other small shipments to fill up a truck.

## What is LTL?

LTL service is used for smaller shipments that take up less than a full truckload and can be combined with other small shipments to fill up a truck. LTL shipments have longer transit times than [FTL](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/full-truckload/) shipments because LTL trucks make multiple pickups and deliveries. LTL carriers move cargo between trucking terminals en route to the final destination, so if an LTL truck is transporting a shipment from Los Angeles to New York, the cargo might be delivered by one LTL truck to a terminal in Phoenix, and then by another LTL truck to Dallas, and so forth until it reaches the terminal in New York and can be shipped out for final delivery. Shipping LTL is cheaper than shipping FTL because of this longer transit time.

![US map comparing trucking routes: a solid red FTL line runs direct Los Angeles to New York, while a dashed red LTL line zigzags through Phoenix, Dallas, Nashville and Pittsburgh.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/cf052689ad4e52e71d7ff0e5844ed0b59dd3366b-1024x597.jpg)

Back to the [full glossary](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/).

---

*This is a markdown version of [https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/less-than-truckload/](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/less-than-truckload/) for AI/LLM consumption.*