National carriers
Coast-to-coast networks
Carriers like Old Dominion, FedEx Freight, XPO, and Estes run nationwide terminal networks for long-haul and cross-country LTL.
LTL Carrier
An LTL carrier, or less-than-truckload carrier, is a freight company that moves shipments too large for parcel but too small to fill a 53-foot trailer. The carrier consolidates freight from multiple shippers onto one trailer, so each shipper pays only for the space they use. Most LTL carriers run hub-and-spoke terminal networks: they pick up at origin, sort the freight at one or more terminals, and deliver at destination. Pricing is based on freight class, weight, distance, and accessorial services. Major US LTL carriers include Old Dominion, FedEx Freight, Estes, XPO, Saia, and ABF, alongside network carriers like Warp.
Why it matters
The LTL carrier you pick drives both cost and service. Base rate is only part of the price: fuel surcharges and accessorials like liftgate, residential, and reclassification can add 20 to 40 percent to the invoice, so total landed cost matters more than the quoted base. Service varies just as widely. Terminal-heavy carriers touch your freight 3 to 5 times, which lengthens transit and raises damage exposure. Choosing on total landed cost and touch count, not base rate alone, is what separates a good LTL program from an expensive one.
When to use it
Use an LTL carrier when you are shipping roughly 1 to 12 pallets, or 150 to 15,000 pounds, to a single destination and the freight does not justify a full truck. Below one pallet, parcel is usually cheaper. Above 12 pallets or on cube-heavy freight, compare partial truckload, which prices on linear feet instead of freight class. For recurring volume into one metro, pool distribution through a cross-dock often beats repeated LTL moves.
How Warp thinks about it
Warp is an LTL carrier that runs cross-dock routing instead of a terminal hub-and-spoke network, so freight sees 1 to 2 touches instead of 3 to 5. Every rate is all-inclusive per pallet: the quote equals the invoice, with no fuel surcharge, liftgate, or reclassification add-ons. Every shipment carries live GPS tracking, scan events, and proof of delivery through the Warp driver app. To compare LTL carriers head to head on total landed cost across thousands of lanes, see the ranked list.
Definition
An LTL carrier consolidates freight from many shippers onto one trailer and prices by the space you use.
Regional carriers
Faster on short lanes
Regional LTL carriers cover a few states with fewer terminal hops, often beating national carriers on transit and price within their footprint.
Network carriers
Cross-dock instead of terminals
Network carriers like Warp route through cross-docks with all-inclusive per-pallet pricing and 1 to 2 touches instead of 3 to 5.
Frequently asked questions about ltl carrier
What is ltl carrier?
An LTL carrier, or less-than-truckload carrier, is a freight company that moves shipments too large for parcel but too small to fill a 53-foot trailer. The carrier consolidates freight from multiple shippers onto one trailer, so each shipper pays only for the space they use. Most LTL carriers run hub-and-spoke terminal networks: they pick up at origin, sort the freight at one or more terminals, and deliver at destination. Pricing is based on freight class, weight, distance, and accessorial services. Major US LTL carriers include Old Dominion, FedEx Freight, Estes, XPO, Saia, and ABF, alongside network carriers like Warp.
Why does ltl carrier matter in freight?
The LTL carrier you pick drives both cost and service. Base rate is only part of the price: fuel surcharges and accessorials like liftgate, residential, and reclassification can add 20 to 40 percent to the invoice, so total landed cost matters more than the quoted base. Service varies just as widely. Terminal-heavy carriers touch your freight 3 to 5 times, which lengthens transit and raises damage exposure. Choosing on total landed cost and touch count, not base rate alone, is what separates a good LTL program from an expensive one.
When should you use ltl carrier?
Use an LTL carrier when you are shipping roughly 1 to 12 pallets, or 150 to 15,000 pounds, to a single destination and the freight does not justify a full truck. Below one pallet, parcel is usually cheaper. Above 12 pallets or on cube-heavy freight, compare partial truckload, which prices on linear feet instead of freight class. For recurring volume into one metro, pool distribution through a cross-dock often beats repeated LTL moves.
How does Warp handle ltl carrier?
Warp is an LTL carrier that runs cross-dock routing instead of a terminal hub-and-spoke network, so freight sees 1 to 2 touches instead of 3 to 5. Every rate is all-inclusive per pallet: the quote equals the invoice, with no fuel surcharge, liftgate, or reclassification add-ons. Every shipment carries live GPS tracking, scan events, and proof of delivery through the Warp driver app. To compare LTL carriers head to head on total landed cost across thousands of lanes, see the ranked list.
What is an LTL carrier?
An LTL (less-than-truckload) carrier is a freight company that moves shipments of roughly 1 to 12 pallets by consolidating freight from multiple shippers onto one trailer, so each shipper pays only for the space they use. Pricing is based on freight class, weight, distance, and accessorials.
How is an LTL carrier different from a truckload carrier?
An LTL carrier shares one trailer across multiple shippers and prices per pallet or by freight class. A truckload (FTL) carrier dedicates an entire trailer to one shipper and prices per load. LTL fits 1 to 12 pallets; truckload fits 13 or more pallets, or freight that needs dedicated, direct transit.
Who are the largest LTL carriers in the US?
The largest US LTL carriers by revenue include Old Dominion, FedEx Freight, XPO, Estes, Saia, and ABF (ArcBest). For a full ranking by total landed cost across thousands of lanes, see the best LTL carriers list.