- Home
- Ltl Freight Shipping
What Is Less-Than-Load (LTL) Freight Shipping?
LTL Shipping, meaning less-than-load freight shipping, typically involves the shipping of large items (or multiple smaller items) that will not take up the entirety of a vehicle’s space, also known as partial loads. LTL shipping It is often cheaper than other freight services as it does not require an entire journey to be made to ship just your items, instead, they are added to a vehicle already making a journey. This is often known as consolidated freight shipping, meaning that these partial loads together make a full vehicle worth of items.
Whilst LTL freight shipping is a very useful method of transporting items, it can often be difficult to choose a service due to the number of options available. On Shiply, there are hundreds of LTL freight companies ready to send personalized quotes for your LTL shipping needs, giving you not only a great space to compare services but also quotes that can be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
First, however, you will need to ascertain some basic information about your shipment needs.
How Much Does LTL Freight Shipping Cost?
Whilst it is almost impossible to give a ballpark estimate of the cost of your less-than-load freight shipment due to a number of factors involved that can affect pricing, you can take a look at some of the biggest factors below to get an idea:
Distance - If you need to ship your items internationally or long-distance across the US then this will increase the price of your LTL shipping job due to man-hours and fuel.
Item Size - The size and weight of your items will also affect the cost of your delivery. If they take up half a vehicle, this gives the driver less space to fit in other shipments, meaning you will have to pay more for your share of the space available. Essentially, the less of the share of the consolidated freight shipping that you take up, the cheaper the LTL shipping will be.
Locations Of Pickup And Delivery - Items that need to be picked up from rural areas will usually incur extra costs as the driver will need to go out of their way to pick up the item, whereas in urban areas there is likely a service close by.
Timings - If you need to rush your LTL shipment then this will usually cost more as the driver will have to prioritize your delivery, whereas the more relaxed with timings you are the more economical they can make their trip and pass some of the savings on to you.
Time Of Year - Adverse weather conditions can restrict the available routes to an LTL shipper, as well as slow their journey. Often if you still require them to make a delivery in these conditions you may have to pay extra to help compensate for the difficulty.
How Can Shiply Help Find LTL Freight Shipping Companies?
Given the large number of less-than-load freight shipping options available and the number of factors involved, comparing and selecting one to go with can feel like a hassle. This is where Shiply may be able to help.
All you need to do is know the size and weight of the items you need shipping and the pickup and delivery locations. Once you submit these using our simple form you can sit back and wait for LTL freight services to send personalized bids directly to your inbox for your partial load. This gives you a great space to compare and assess your options.
Using Shiply’s feedback and rating system you can select a company you feel confident in, as well as have any questions answered by an LTL service through our messaging system.
Due to the nature of less-than-load freight shipping, drivers on Shiply are often making a journey anyway and are looking to fill the extra space in their vehicles. This means that quotes are not only up to 75% cheaper on Shiply but using our platform is also good for reducing unnecessary emissions and helping the environment.
Preparing For Your Items To Be Shipped
Once you are happy that you have found the LTL freight shipping company for you, it is time to prepare your items for pick up, we recommend taking these steps:
Documents - If there are any documents required for your items, for example, if they are being sold or traveling internationally, then we suggest having these ready to go to avoid any last-minute mishaps.
Cleaning - Giving your items a good clean before LTL shipping is a great way to assess their condition prior to delivery should any damages occur during transit.
Photographic Evidence - Following on from cleaning, you should take high-quality photos of your items which will give you solid proof of their condition before delivery in case any disputes arise.
Packing - You may discuss this with your chosen less-than-load freight shipping company beforehand as to whether they will assist you with packing and material when they pick up your items or whether you will do so beforehand. Either way, you want to make sure your items are secure and wrapped in protective packaging during LTL shipping.
What To Do After Delivery
Once your item/s have arrived at their destination, the most important thing you need to make sure to do is immediately check their condition. You can use the photos you took before pick up to assess whether any damages have occurred in transit and should raise any concerns with your LTL freight shipper immediately.
We also ask that you leave feedback and a rating for the service you received so that they can improve their service and so that others on Shiply can browse quotes with the same peace of mind.
Millions of people use Shiply
Fast and Easy
Complete one simple form and quotes come to you via email. Hassle-free, no phone calls required.
Trustworthy
All shipping companies on Shiply are feedback rated for your peace of mind.
Great Prices
As Shiply's shipping companies are already making similar trips, quotes are up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Helpful
Need assistance? Email or call us. We are here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shiply Cover My Area?
Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.
Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?
There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.
How Can I Contact Shiply Support?
Shiply Support is available only on email, at
Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?
Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.
When Will I Receive A Quote?
You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.
How Many Quotes Will I Receive?
Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.
Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?
f your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.
Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?
Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.
Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?
Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.
Can I Travel With My Goods?
The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and to highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.
What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?
If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.
Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?
If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .
Are My Items As Safe In An LTL Freight Load?
Yes. Whilst the nature of a less-than-load freight shipping service means that your items will be amongst other shipments, this will not affect the risk to your item as long as everything is securely packed.
How Shiply Works
How Shiply Works
- 1
Request quotes from our 451,370 rated shipping companies.
- 2
Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right quote for you.
- 3
Sit back and relax while your item is safely moved by your chosen shipping company.
Recent Shipments
Doyle, California
Bloomington, California
$153
Long Beach, California
Golden Valley, Arizona
$1001
Machesney Park, Illinois
Fort Worth, Texas
$1092
Antioch, Tennessee
South Side, Illinois
£203
How Shiply Helps The Environment
By utilizing spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to ship the item.
Recent Testimonials
Debra W.
"Communication was great from the time I accepted the quote until the car was dropped off. In terms of the timeline, I was given a potential range for both how soon the car would be picked up and how many days it would be in transport."
Patrick G.
"Everything was perfect! Fast, easy and hassle-free process! I definitely recommend and would use them again in the future. Thank you so much!"
Sophie G.
"Great experience using these guys. This was my first time having to transport a car using a service like this and I could not be happier. Picked up earlier than expected and delivery was early as well. Quick easy and problem free."
Gary M.
"I’ve used Shiply twice now and have been really pleased with the result. It’s quick and easy to use. For both occasions the quotes were very competitive and the quality of the job was excellent. I highly recommend it."