What is LTL vs FTL Shipping and How to Choose the Right Option

For Canadian businesses that move goods regularly, choosing the right freight method is a decision that directly affects your costs, your delivery windows, and how safely your cargo arrives. LTL shipping in Canada and FTL shipping are the two standard options — and picking the wrong one is an avoidable expense.

This guide explains what each method means, how they compare on cost and speed, and how to make the right call for your shipment — without overpaying or underpreparing.

What is LTL Shipping in Canada

LTL shipping — less-than-truckload shipping — means your freight shares truck space with other shippers. You pay only for the portion of the trailer your cargo occupies. It's the most widely used option for Canadian businesses moving smaller loads without the volume to justify a full truck.

It's also one of the most misunderstood options. Many businesses default to LTL because it sounds cheaper — and it often is — but only when the shipment size actually fits the model.

LTL shipping in Canada typically covers shipments between 150 lbs and 15,000 lbs, or 1 to 10 pallets.

How Does LTL Shipping Work

Your freight is picked up and brought to a carrier terminal. There, it's consolidated with other shipments heading in the same direction. The truck makes multiple stops along its route before your cargo reaches the final destination.

That multi-stop structure is what makes LTL cost-effective — but it also means more handling and longer transit windows.

Key things to know about LTL freight in Canada:

• Priced by weight, dimensions, and freight class
• Freight class is based on density, stowability, and handling difficulty
• Transit times typically range from 3 to 7 business days
• More handling increases the chance of minor damage
• Accessorial charges (liftgate, inside delivery, residential stops) can raise total cost

For businesses that don't generate full-truck volume consistently, LTL shipping in Canada is the most practical way to keep freight moving without overpaying.

Is LTL Shipping the Right Fit for Your Business

LTL works well when your load is under 10 pallets, your delivery timeline is flexible, and your cargo is durable enough for standard handling. The cost savings over FTL are real — as long as your shipment falls within the right size range.

For non-perishable goods, B2B restocking shipments, and businesses with variable shipping volumes, LTL is often the default choice.

What is FTL Shipping and When Should You Use It

FTL shipping — full truckload shipping — means one shipper occupies the entire truck. You pay for the whole trailer regardless of how much space your load fills. In return, you get a direct route, faster delivery, and far less handling of your cargo.

FTL is the go-to option for Canadian businesses shipping large volumes, time-sensitive freight, or goods that can't tolerate multiple handling touchpoints.

How FTL Shipping Works

A driver picks up your cargo and delivers it directly to the destination — no terminal stops, no consolidation with other shippers, no detours. That point-to-point structure makes FTL faster and more predictable than LTL.

FTL makes sense when:

• Your load exceeds 10 to 12 pallets or 15,000 lbs
• Delivery timing is critical and can't absorb delays
• Cargo is fragile, high-value, or temperature-sensitive
• Reducing freight handling is a priority
• You want flat-rate pricing based on distance, not freight class

As your load grows, FTL becomes increasingly cost-competitive. At high volumes, the per-unit cost often drops below what LTL would charge for the same freight.

What Are the Advantages of Choosing FTL

Speed and cargo control are the clearest advantages. Your freight moves directly from origin to destination — typically 1 to 3 days for regional routes across Canada.

Less handling means lower damage risk, simpler insurance, and more predictable billing. For businesses running recurring high-volume freight lanes, FTL contracts can lock in rates and reduce logistics complexity over time.

The trade-off: FTL is not cost-effective for small loads. If you're shipping 3 or 4 pallets, a dedicated truck is an unnecessary expense.

LTL Shipping in Canada vs FTL — How They Actually Compare

Both options move freight across Canada. The right choice comes down to load size, budget, transit speed, and how much control you need over the shipment.

Cost Differences Between LTL and FTL Freight

LTL pricing in Canada is based on freight class, weight, dimensions, and accessorial services. A single pallet moving from Toronto to Calgary will cost far less via LTL than booking an entire truck.

FTL pricing is based on distance and equipment type. The rate stays flat whether the truck is full or not.

The crossover point — where FTL becomes cheaper per unit — typically lands around 10 to 12 pallets. Below that, LTL shipping in Canada wins on price. Above it, FTL usually makes more financial sense.

Factors that affect total freight cost in Canada:

• Freight class and density (LTL-specific)
• Distance and fuel surcharges (both options)
• Accessorial fees like liftgates or residential delivery (LTL)
• Seasonal capacity pressure, especially in winter
• Cross-border duties if the shipment crosses into the U.S.

Always compare total cost — not just base rate. A low LTL quote with high accessorial fees can quickly outprice a straightforward FTL rate.

Transit Time and Cargo Safety: LTL vs FTL

FTL is faster. Direct routing means no waiting at terminals, no detours for other shippers' stops.

LTL transit times in Canada range from 3 to 7 business days for most lanes — sometimes longer for remote or rural destinations. Your freight moves through multiple terminals and gets handled more often.

On average, LTL freight is touched 2 to 5 times more than FTL freight. For packaged consumer goods, that's manageable. For machinery, electronics, or high-value cargo, it's a real risk factor.

When timing and cargo integrity both matter, FTL is the lower-risk option.

How to Choose Between LTL and FTL Shipping in Canada

The decision comes down to four things: how much you're shipping, how fast it needs to arrive, what the cargo is, and what you're willing to spend.

Questions to Ask Before You Book

Before requesting quotes, start here:

• How many pallets or pounds am I shipping?
• Does this shipment have a fixed delivery deadline?
• Is the cargo fragile, perishable, or high-value?
• Is this a one-time shipment or a recurring freight lane?

Under 5,000 lbs — LTL shipping in Canada is almost always the right answer. Between 5,000 and 15,000 lbs — run quotes for both and compare total cost. Over 15,000 lbs or with a hard delivery window — FTL will typically win on value and reliability.

A few practical rules to guide the call:

• High-volume recurring shipments belong on FTL contracts
• Variable or irregular volumes suit the flexibility of LTL
• Fragile or temperature-controlled cargo travels safer in a dedicated truck
• Mixed or partial pallet loads are built for LTL networks

Run the numbers before committing. Don't rely on assumptions about which option is cheaper — actual weight, dimensions, and route always tell the real story. If you're on the fence between the two, get quotes for both and let the total cost guide the decision.

How Different Industries Use LTL and FTL Freight in Canada

Retail and e-commerce businesses typically use LTL shipping in Canada for regular restocking of smaller order quantities. During high-demand seasons — holiday, back-to-school — FTL becomes the better option for moving volume fast.

Manufacturers shipping raw materials or large component orders almost always default to FTL. Load size and delivery precision make dedicated trucking the practical standard.

Food and beverage shippers — particularly those with temperature control requirements — rely on FTL to protect product integrity and meet tight delivery windows. Cold chain compliance doesn't work on multi-stop LTL routes.

Industrial and construction businesses often move into specialized trucking territory for oversized or unusually heavy loads, which falls outside standard LTL and FTL classifications.

Your industry often points you in the right direction. Your specific shipment details confirm it. When the two don't align, talking to a freight partner who handles both options is the fastest way to avoid a costly mismatch between your load and your chosen method.

How FlexSpace Logistics Supports Your LTL and FTL Shipping in Canada

At FlexSpace Logistics, we've completed thousands of shipments for Canadian businesses — and no two have been the same. We don't apply a one-size-fits-all approach to freight. Every shipment gets assessed individually so we can match your load to the right solution, at the right cost, with the right timeline.

Our services cover the full range of Canadian freight needs. Whether you need secure LTL and FTL transportation, long-haul trucking across the country, last-mile delivery into urban markets, or specialized trucking for oversized or delicate cargo — we build the plan around your shipment. We know the lanes, we know the risks, and we know how to keep freight moving efficiently from the GTA to any destination in Canada.

Getting started is straightforward. Contact FlexSpace Logistics today, tell us what you're shipping and where it's going, and we'll put together a freight solution that protects your cargo and your budget. Whether you need a one-time shipment or a recurring freight partner across Canada, we're ready to move. Get your quote now.