Partial truckload (partial TL or PTL) is a shipping mode for mid-sized freight, typically 5,000 to 20,000 lbs or 6 to 18 pallets, that shares a trailer with one or two other shipments without moving through the LTL terminal network. Your freight is loaded once at origin and unloaded once at destination, with one or two additional stops along the route, and the price is frequently 20 to 30 percent below LTL for shipments over 8,000 lbs and 25 to 40 percent below FTL. It is the mode most shippers do not know exists, and the one that can save the most on the freight that sits between a few pallets and a full trailer.
If your shipment is too big for LTL but does not fill a 53-foot trailer, you have probably been overpaying, either booking FTL and paying for empty deck, or booking LTL and eating inflated rates at the top of the weight range. Partial truckload closes that gap. This guide covers how it works, when it wins, how it compares to LTL and FTL, and how to get the best rate.
How Partial Truckload Works
A partial truckload shipment shares a trailer with one or two other shippers' loads, but unlike LTL, it never passes through a terminal network. The carrier picks up your freight, adds one or two other partial shipments along the route, and delivers each one in sequence. Your freight is handled minimally: loaded once at origin, unloaded once at destination, with none of the repeated terminal transfers LTL requires.
The economics work for both sides:
- The carrier fills a trailer with multiple revenue-generating shipments instead of running partially empty, which improves their cost per mile.
- You pay only for the space you actually use, at a rate below FTL, because the truck cost is split across two or three loads.
- The freight rides the whole way on one trailer, so it avoids the handling and dwell that build up at LTL cross-docks.
The result is close to FTL service, single handling and a near-direct route, at a price closer to LTL. We book this through our truckload and LTL service.
When Partial Truckload Makes Sense
Partial TL has a clear sweet spot, and recognizing it is how you stop overpaying on the wrong mode. The signals below point to partial TL as the right call.
- Shipments of 5,000 to 20,000 lbs, the band where partial pricing beats both LTL and FTL; below 5,000 lbs LTL usually wins, above 20,000 lbs FTL is usually more efficient.
- Loads of 6 to 18 pallets, enough freight to make LTL pricing unfavorable but not enough to justify paying for a full 53-foot trailer.
- Freight that needs faster transit than LTL, since partial TL moves with one or two stops instead of three to five terminal transfers and is typically one to two days faster on the same lane.
- Freight sensitive to handling, where one load and one unload sharply cut damage risk compared with LTL's repeated terminal handling.
For the lighter and heavier ends of the range, compare against our guides to LTL freight cost and full truckload freight.
Partial Truckload vs LTL
LTL and partial TL look similar on the surface, both move freight that does not fill a trailer, but the routing is fundamentally different, and that difference shows up in transit time, damage, and price.
LTL moves through terminal networks: your freight is unloaded at a local terminal, transferred to a linehaul truck, moved to a destination terminal, transferred again to a local delivery truck, and delivered. Each transfer is a handling event and a potential delay. Partial TL skips the terminals entirely, going from origin to destination with one or two additional stops along the route, which means fewer handling events, faster transit, and lower damage rates. On price, partial TL is frequently 20 to 30 percent cheaper than LTL for shipments over 8,000 lbs, because LTL carriers price large shipments aggressively to discourage them, preferring to fill that space with many small loads rather than one big one.
Partial Truckload vs FTL
FTL gives you a dedicated trailer that runs direct; partial TL shares the trailer and adds a stop or two. The choice comes down to whether you have enough freight to justify paying for the whole truck.
| Factor | Partial Truckload | Full Truckload (FTL) |
|---|---|---|
| Trailer use | Shared with 1-2 other shippers | Dedicated to your freight |
| Stops en route | 1-2 additional stops | Direct, no stops |
| Best weight range | 5,000 to 20,000 lbs | Over 20,000 lbs or full cube |
| Relative price | 25-40% cheaper than FTL | Higher, you pay for the whole truck |
For mid-sized loads, partial TL is typically 25 to 40 percent cheaper than FTL because you split the truck cost with other shippers. The trade-off is a modestly longer transit, usually about one extra day, from the additional stops. For the full mode comparison, see our breakdown of FTL vs LTL freight.
How to Get the Best Partial Truckload Rates
Partial TL pricing depends on matching your shipment with complementary freight on the same lane, which means the quality of the rate tracks the depth of the carrier network and the skill of the coordination. A few moves consistently produce better rates.
- Give a flexible pickup window of two to three days instead of demanding a single date, so the broker has time to find an optimal lane match.
- Provide accurate dimensions and weight up front, since partial TL planning depends on knowing exactly how much deck space your freight needs.
- Palletize and stack where possible, because well-configured freight fits more easily alongside another shipper's load.
- Work with a broker who quotes partial TL against LTL and FTL on every mid-sized shipment, so the cheapest mode wins automatically rather than by default.
The deeper the carrier network, the faster a match comes together, and the better the rate lands.
How Total Connection Handles Partial Truckload
Total Connection has booked partial truckload for shippers since 1995, and we quote it alongside FTL and LTL on every mid-sized shipment so you land on the most cost-effective mode, not the one a fleet owner would push. As an independent, non-asset forwarder and licensed motor carrier broker (FMCSA MC 280101), our carrier network gives us the depth to find complementary freight matches quickly, getting you FTL-like single handling at partial TL pricing.
Partial truckload is one mode of many we run. The same team that matches your partial load also books your full truckload, your drayage, your ocean container, and your warehousing, anchored in the liquid bulk and hazmat freight most carriers will not touch. To go deeper, read our guides to full truckload freight and LTL freight cost, then see our truckload and LTL service. For a quote on your lane, call 732-817-0401 or request a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is partial truckload?
Partial truckload is a shipping mode between LTL and FTL where your freight shares a trailer with one or two other shipments but skips the LTL terminal network. It is loaded once at origin and unloaded once at destination, with one or two additional stops along the route. It typically runs 5,000 to 20,000 lbs or 6 to 18 pallets.
How is partial TL different from LTL?
LTL moves through terminal networks with multiple handling events, while partial TL goes nearly direct with one or two stops, fewer handling events, faster transit, and lower damage risk. For shipments over 8,000 lbs, partial TL is often 20 to 30 percent cheaper than LTL. The savings come from skipping the cross-dock network.
What size shipment is best for partial truckload?
Partial truckload fits shipments of 5,000 to 20,000 lbs or 6 to 18 pallets. Below 5,000 lbs, LTL is usually cheaper because you pay only for the small space you use. Above 20,000 lbs, full truckload is usually more efficient because you are close to filling the trailer anyway.
Does Total Connection offer partial truckload?
Total Connection quotes partial truckload alongside FTL and LTL on every mid-sized shipment and recommends the mode that delivers the best value. Our carrier network gives us the depth to match your freight with complementary loads quickly, getting you FTL-like handling at partial TL pricing.
