March 20, 2025 | BY Dan Boaz

Understanding Full Truckload Services (FTL)

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Full Truckload (FTL) services have solidified their place as a vital shipping solution for expedited freight. With the trucking industry powering over 70% of the nation’s freight, FTL stands out as a key service that helps to ensure supply chains operate seamlessly.

But what drives the enduring value of FTL and why are industries using it? Whether you’re wrestling with freight costs or hunting for the best rates, learning about the capabilities and benefits of full truckload can help you succeed in today’s fast-moving logistics landscape.

WHAT IS FULL TRUCKLOAD (FTL)?

Full Truckload, often shortened to FTL, is a shipping method where an entire truck is reserved exclusively for a single shipment. This distinguishes it from Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping, where multiple customers’ goods share the same truck space. With FTL, the truck is loaded with products from one shipper and travels directly from the pickup location to the delivery destination without stopping to handle other shipments.

This direct approach makes full truckload services ideal for businesses needing to move substantial quantities of goods. Whether coordinated through trucking brokers, full truckload carriers or trucking companies, FTL offers a streamlined process that prioritizes efficiency and simplicity, making it a go-to choice for logistics shipping needs that demand speed and exclusivity.

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Single point of contact

Work with the same expeditor during your shipment’s entire process–no annoying call centers!

shipment-to-vehicle matching system

We carefully match the size and weight of your shipment to the right vehicle.

Vetted & exclusive carriers

We work with vetted, experienced carriers, so you get one vehicle for the entire delivery process exclusive.

real-time monitoring & alerts

Our GPS tracking technology lets us know exactly where your shipment is at all times.

Types of Vehicles

SPRINTER VAN

HotShotTrucking.com's expedited Sprinter vans have the capacity to meet your local, regional, or long-distance ground shipping needs. Measuring 8-12’ x 52” x 70", our carefully-selected vans have the capacity to carry loads up to 3,000 lbs.

BOX TRUCK

We pride ourselves in working with trusted partners that offer carefully-vetted box trucks, from temperature-controlled vehicles to varying sizes that accommodate smaller loads. Our box trucks, or small straight trucks, measure 12-16’ x 94” x 70” and have the capacity to carry up to 5,000 pounds.

STRAIGHT TRUCK

Measuring 22-26’ x 96” x 96”, our straight trucks can carry loads up to 9,000 pounds. Our large straight truck services offer focused logistics, professional drivers, and deeply-experienced expeditors to get your delivery where it needs to go.

HOT SHOT TRUCK

We'll happily arrange for your freight to be transported via hot shot trucking services. We've proudly partnered with hot shot trucking providers across North America to give you access to carefully-vetted ground delivery vehicles for your time-critical freight.

53' DRY VAN

Our fleet of 53-Ft dry vans can carry loads up to 42,000 pounds. Measuring 53’ x 99” x 102”, these carefully-vetted vehicles will ensure your time-sensitive freight arrives at its destination safely.

FULL FLATBED

HotShotTrucking.com's full flat bed vehicles can accommodate wide or mega-size loads, such as specialized equipment machinery of all weights and sizes. Measuring 48-53’ x 102” x 102”, our fleet of full flat bed vehicles can carry freight of up to 48,000 pounds.

SPRINTER VAN

BOX TRUCK

STRAIGHT TRUCK

HOT SHOT TRUCK

53' DRY VAN

FULL FLATBED

$448 B

FTL market size in 2025

$535 B

Estimated market size in 2030

3.58%

Compound annual growth rate

72.6%

Freight moved by truck

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When to use Full Truckload (FTL)

Large Shipments: FTL is perfect for transporting sizable loads that either fill an entire truck or require the exclusive use of a trailer.
Time-Critical Deliveries: When fast and dependable shipping is essential, FTL offers quicker transit times with minimal delays.
Specialized Needs: Whether you require a specific trailer type (e.g., refrigerated, flatbed) or have unique loading and unloading conditions, FTL provides the flexibility to accommodate these requirements.

Reduced Handling

One key advantage is the reduced handling of goods, which significantly lowers the risk of damage or loss—a critical factor for fragile or high-value items. Since the truck is dedicated to a single shipment, there’s no need to load or unload other cargo along the route, minimizing the opportunities for mishandling or accidents that are more common in Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipments. For example, a company shipping delicate glassware can trust FTL to keep their products secure and intact from origin to destination, avoiding the wear and tear of multiple transfers.

Security

This directness also boosts security, as the shipment isn’t mingled with others, reducing the chance of theft or misplacement. With FTL, the cargo stays sealed and untouched throughout the journey, and carriers can add measures like GPS tracking or tamper-evident seals for extra protection. This heightened security is vital for industries such as pharmaceuticals or luxury goods, where maintaining cargo integrity is non-negotiable.

Cost

For companies shipping large volumes, freight costs can be more economical with FTL, as the per-unit rate drops when the truck’s capacity is maximized. Unlike LTL, where costs depend on the space occupied, FTL spreads fixed transportation costs over a larger load, leveraging economies of scale—for instance, a retailer shipping 20 pallets might save significantly compared to splitting the load across LTL carriers. Additionally, fewer damages and faster deliveries can reduce indirect costs, enhancing overall savings.

Flexibility

Additionally, full truckload carriers often provide flexibility in scheduling and can accommodate specialized needs like expedited freight or temperature-controlled transport, making FTL a versatile trucking service for diverse logistics challenges. Whether it’s refrigerated trailers for perishable goods or flatbeds for oversized equipment, FTL adapts to unique requirements, helping businesses stay responsive. This versatility is invaluable in today’s fast-paced logistics landscape, enabling tailored solutions for tight deadlines or specific cargo types.

Speed

Speed is another major perk; FTL shipments move directly from origin to destination, bypassing intermediate stops, which often results in faster delivery times compared to LTL options. This direct route eliminates delays from consolidating multiple shipments, making it ideal for time-sensitive deliveries like seasonal inventory or manufacturing components. Logistics professionals can maintain tighter schedules, with some routes seeing transit times reduced by up to 50% compared to LTL, ensuring goods arrive precisely when needed.

Industries That Use FTL Services

Full truckload services are a lifeline for many industries that rely on moving large quantities of goods efficiently. These services dedicate an entire truck to a single shipment, offering speed, security, and cost-effectiveness tailored to the needs of businesses. Key industries such as manufacturing, retail, construction, and the oil and gas industry depend on FTL to streamline their logistics and meet operational goals.

FTL shipping offers faster delivery times since the truck travels directly from the pickup point to the destination without multiple stops, which is particularly beneficial for industries with strict delivery windows, such as retail, manufacturing, and agriculture.

Companies can optimize their supply chain logistics by choosing dedicated routes and consistent delivery schedules.

Manufacturing

Full truckload (FTL) services are key to the manufacturing industry, enabling the transportation of raw materials, components, and finished products. Manufacturers often require large volumes of supplies, such as steel, lumber, or plastic, to be delivered in bulk to production facilities.

FTL shipping ensures these materials arrive on time and intact, minimizing delays and maintaining a steady workflow. By dedicating an entire truck to a single shipment, manufacturers can reduce the risk of damage associated with frequent loading and unloading, which is common in less-than-truckload shipping. This level of reliability is particularly crucial for industries handling fragile or precision-engineered parts that require special care during transit.

Oil and Gas

Given the scale and complexity of oil and gas operations, moving large quantities of drilling rigs, pipelines, and machinery requires dedicated truck capacity. FTL services ensure that these oversized or bulky shipments are transported efficiently without the need for multiple handling points, reducing the risk of damage. The ability to transport large loads directly to remote drilling sites or refineries makes FTL services essential for maintaining uninterrupted operations.

Construction

Full truckload services are essential to the construction industry, where large quantities of heavy materials, such as lumber, steel, concrete, and equipment, must be transported to job sites efficiently. Construction projects often operate on strict timelines, making reliable and direct delivery crucial for keeping projects on schedule.

FTL shipping ensures that bulk shipments reach their destination without intermediate stops, reducing the risk of delays and material shortages. The ability to transport oversized or irregularly shaped loads—such as prefabricated structures, machinery, or large beams—in a dedicated truck ensures safer handling and minimizes the potential for damage during transit.

Automotive

Full truckload services are vital to the automotive industry, where efficient transportation of parts, components, and finished vehicles is essential for maintaining production flow and meeting market demand. Automotive manufacturers rely on FTL shipping to transport large volumes of raw materials, such as steel, aluminum, and plastics, to their production facilities.

FTL’s direct, point-to-point delivery minimizes handling, reducing the risk of damage to sensitive parts like engines, transmissions, and electronic components. This secure and expedited transportation is particularly important for just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing, where timely deliveries are crucial for keeping assembly lines running without interruption.

What is full truckload shipping and how does it differ from less-than-truckload (LTL) service?

Full truckload shipping (often shortened to FTL) dedicates an entire trailer—typically 53 ft in North America—to a single customer’s freight. Because no other consignments share the space, the load moves directly from origin to destination without cross-docking, resulting in faster transit and reduced handling risk compared with LTL, where multiple shippers’ pallets are consolidated at terminals. The trade-off is that you pay for the whole trailer, so the economics favor dense loads or high-value cargo that can’t tolerate intermediate stops.

When is full truckload freight the most cost-effective option for shippers?

Once a shipment reaches roughly 10-12 pallets or 15,000 lb (6,800 kg), truckload freight often beats LTL on a per-pound basis. FTL also makes sense for time-critical or fragile goods, because bypassing hubs eliminates the risk of damage or delay. Finally, shippers with consistent 53-ft volumes can negotiate contract truckload rates that lock in capacity and stabilize budgets even during seasonal surges.

How do truckload carriers calculate FTL rates?

Truckload carriers quote by the loaded mile, factoring in fuel, driver wages, trailer type, tolls, and the likelihood of securing a backhaul. Lane imbalance—when more trucks leave a region than enter—drives prices up, while balanced lanes see competitive bids. Accessorials such as driver assist, detention, or lift-gate service are typically itemized and billed separately. Shippers that provide flexible pickup windows and quick loading can often shave a few cents per mile off their FTL rates.

How does full truckload transit time compare with rail intermodal or LTL service?

Because FTL runs operate point to point with no intermediate handling, their door-to-door truckload transit time is typically one to two days faster than comparable rail ramps and up to five days quicker than multi-terminal LTL routes over 1,000 miles. Direct routing also reduces claims: industry studies show damage rates under 0.5 % for truckload versus 1-2 % for LTL.

What role do truckload freight brokers play in arranging FTL shipments?

Truckload freight brokers act as capacity matchmakers, leveraging load boards, carrier contracts, and real-time pricing tools to secure a truck that meets size, service, and budget requirements. They vet carrier safety scores, negotiate spot rates during volatile markets, and handle paperwork such as rate confirmations, insurance certificates, and proof-of-delivery scans. For shippers without a dedicated transportation team, a broker delivers 24/7 coverage and a single point of contact across multiple lanes.

What insurance coverage should reputable full truckload carriers provide?

A dependable FTL carrier carries a minimum of US $1 million auto liability and US $100,000 cargo insurance, with higher limits common for high-value electronics, food-grade shipments, or hazmat. Certificates should name the shipper as an additional insured and list policy expiry dates. Some shippers also purchase contingent cargo coverage through truckload freight brokers for an extra safety net.

What technology tools improve visibility in full truckload shipping?

Modern carriers and 3PLs use ELD-based GPS pings, geofencing, and API integrations with TMS platforms to deliver real-time track-and-trace data directly to a shipper’s dashboard. Automated alerts flag early-arrival potential, dwell times, and temperature deviations for refrigerated FTL loads. This transparency supports proactive customer updates and faster exception management.

How can shippers mitigate capacity crunches during peak truckload demand seasons?

Secure long-term commitments with core carriers, stagger pickup times to avoid bottlenecks, and preload drop trailers so drivers spend less time waiting. Diversifying into regional fleets or leveraging a truckload freight broker’s carrier network expands the pool of available tractors when spot rates spike. Advanced forecasting—sharing promotional calendars and inventory ramps with carriers weeks ahead—helps align equipment with demand and keeps freight moving even when the market tightens.

WHAT IS HOT SHOT TRUCKING? AKA HOTSHOT TRUCKING

Modern business is all about strict timelines. Whether your field is manufacturing, extraction, retail, or research and development, your operations are bound to rely on activities that operate in tandem. The most minor of supply shortages can throw these activities off, potentially costing you thousands of dollars just for a few hours' delay. Success thus hinges on your ability to right the ship as quickly as possible after a supply shortage arises.

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Industries We Serve

Modern day hot shot trucking provides the speed and exclusivity you need to meet the most demanding and time-sensitive shipping requirements. We use every resource, avenue, and channel available to ship your freight by ground or air. Designed specifically to address supply and distribution problems that arise without warning, hotshot trucking tactics involve coordinating a network of carriers in a variety of locations. By calling on the vehicles closest to your supply or distribution points, hotshot brokers can fill any sudden gaps in your supply network almost as soon as they happen. This minimizes the disruption to your business and allows you to quickly return to ordinary operations, weathering the storm without skipping a beat.

Automotive

The automotive supply chain already has significant challenges. Don’t let malfunctioning equipment stop the production line. Step on the gas with HotShotTrucking.com’s suite of services that will get you back in the fast lane. With HotShotTrucking.com, companies are devising shipping strategies to swiftly deliver critical parts and equipment — whether it's ground expedite service with sprinter vans, box trucks and 53-foot tractor trailers or air freight and air cargo.

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Aviation & Aerospace

Every moment a commercial airliner sits on the ground, it costs an airline money. Expedited freight services by HotShotTrucking.com can get you back in the air with prompt delivery of parts and equipment throughout North America. We are equipped with the expertise to navigate the complexities of shipping jet engines and other types of loads, and our network of hot shot drivers has extensive experience transporting aviation assets.

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Construction

One shipping delay can snowball and cause delays throughout your entire project. You need an experienced 3PL provider who understands the construction industry and has the logistical reach to deliver your freight on time, anywhere. That 3PL partner is HotShotTrucking.com. Whether in the air or on the ground via truck and trailer, we can connect companies to expedited freight services for the prompt delivery of parts and equipment throughout North America.

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Mining & Metals

From cranes to chemicals to excavators to conveyor belts, HotShotTrucking.com has the experience and industry know-how required for shipping sensitive, oversized, and hazardous equipment. Third-party hot shot trucking and logistics providers such as HotShotTrucking.com specialize in devising and implementing innovative shipping solutions, ensuring mines can swiftly return to operation. We’ll pick up your shipment, deliver it to the airport and receive it at the other end – providing hand-carried service as necessary or required.

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Manufacturing

Every moment a manufacturing facility or factory sits idle costs a company money because of the high costs involved. With many manufacturers building to only just-in-time production rates, any disruption threatens parts and vehicle inventories. This is where the speed and expertise of freight services from HotShotTrucking.com can make a difference throughout the entire manufacturing supply chain. We do all the logistical legwork to find the optimal solution for your job, whether it's an exclusive air charter or expedited ground shipping.

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Telecommunications

From servers to cell towers, information, voice, and data must flow to keep businesses, production, and the public online and connected. When equipment goes dark, depend on HotShotTrucking.com to get your systems flashing green again. This is where the speed and experience of trucking and freight services from HotShotTrucking.com can help. Our hot shot truck network excels at the prompt delivery of parts and equipment throughout North America.

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Oil & Gas

The oil and gas industry faces challenging conditions in offshore and onshore oil rigs, often in remote locations with limited infrastructure. Don’t let oil pumps or pipelines sit idle waiting for equipment. By having the right plans, parts, people, and logistics partner like HotShotTrucking.com, you can effectively mitigate plant or pump downtime, unscheduled disruptions, and equipment failures.

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