FTL shipping
FTL shipping (full truckload) is the freight mode where one shipper's load occupies the entire trailer for the duration of the trip — typically a 53-foot dry van or refrigerated reefer. Unlike LTL (less-than-truckload) where multiple shippers share a trailer through cross-dock consolidation, FTL is dedicated capacity from pickup to delivery. The shipper pays for the truck, the driver, the fuel, and the time — not per pallet or per CWT.
Why it matters
FTL is the right mode for high-volume shipments where the trailer is full (or close to it), time-sensitive freight that cannot tolerate cross-dock transfers, fragile or high-value cargo where every handoff is a damage risk, or temperature-controlled freight that requires continuous custody. For shippers running 8+ pallets at a time, FTL often beats LTL on both cost and transit because there is no consolidation overhead.
When to use it
Use FTL when (1) you have a full trailer's worth of freight (typically 10+ pallets for dry van), (2) transit time is critical and you cannot afford 1-3 days of cross-dock dwell, (3) the cargo is fragile, high-value, or temperature-sensitive, or (4) you are running a high-frequency lane where dedicated capacity beats spot rates.
How Warp thinks about it
Warp dispatches FTL through the same network that runs LTL — vetted carriers, the Warp driver app, GPS + scan events end-to-end. The all-inclusive rate covers fuel, accessorials, and final-mile. Multi-stop FTL is also available through the same API. No separate FTL broker relationship required.
Frequently asked questions about ftl shipping
What is ftl shipping?
FTL shipping (full truckload) is the freight mode where one shipper's load occupies the entire trailer for the duration of the trip — typically a 53-foot dry van or refrigerated reefer. Unlike LTL (less-than-truckload) where multiple shippers share a trailer through cross-dock consolidation, FTL is dedicated capacity from pickup to delivery. The shipper pays for the truck, the driver, the fuel, and the time — not per pallet or per CWT.
Why does ftl shipping matter in freight?
FTL is the right mode for high-volume shipments where the trailer is full (or close to it), time-sensitive freight that cannot tolerate cross-dock transfers, fragile or high-value cargo where every handoff is a damage risk, or temperature-controlled freight that requires continuous custody. For shippers running 8+ pallets at a time, FTL often beats LTL on both cost and transit because there is no consolidation overhead.
When should you use ftl shipping?
Use FTL when (1) you have a full trailer's worth of freight (typically 10+ pallets for dry van), (2) transit time is critical and you cannot afford 1-3 days of cross-dock dwell, (3) the cargo is fragile, high-value, or temperature-sensitive, or (4) you are running a high-frequency lane where dedicated capacity beats spot rates.
How does Warp handle ftl shipping?
Warp dispatches FTL through the same network that runs LTL — vetted carriers, the Warp driver app, GPS + scan events end-to-end. The all-inclusive rate covers fuel, accessorials, and final-mile. Multi-stop FTL is also available through the same API. No separate FTL broker relationship required.