Volume LTL Shipping: Complete Guide

In the freight world, shipping often falls into two broad categories: full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL). But what happens when your freight is too large for standard LTL rates—but still not quite big enough for a full truck? That’s where Volume LTL shipping comes in.

This mode of transport is ideal for shippers with heavier, bulkier loads that exceed LTL limits but don’t require exclusive use of an entire trailer. In this guide, we’ll explain what Volume LTL means, how it works, and when it makes the most sense to use it.

 

What Is Volume LTL?

Volume LTL (or Volume Less Than Truckload) is a shipping option that bridges the gap between standard LTL and FTL. It’s designed for shipments that are larger than typical LTL thresholds—usually in terms of space or weight—but don’t warrant paying for an entire truck.

Unlike traditional LTL, which uses a shared network of hubs and terminals, Volume LTL often involves fewer stops and may be transported more directly. Carriers allocate additional trailer space to accommodate the shipment without charging full truckload rates.

While each carrier sets its own criteria, a typical Volume LTL shipment includes:

  • More than 6 pallets

  • Total weight between 5,000 and 15,000 pounds

  • Freight that occupies more than 12 linear feet of trailer space

The goal is to optimize underused space while keeping rates competitive for larger, non-urgent loads.

 

How Volume LTL Differs from Standard LTL

At first glance, Volume LTL might sound like a simple extension of standard LTL, but the structure and pricing are different. Standard LTL operates through a hub-and-spoke model with high touchpoints, meaning more stops, re-handling, and sorting.

Volume LTL is typically treated with greater consolidation efficiency. These shipments are often routed with fewer transfers and sometimes even remain on the same trailer from origin to destination—reducing damage risk and improving transit time consistency.

Additionally, Volume LTL rates are usually spot-quoted, not based on published tariffs or freight class alone. This makes it a more dynamic pricing model that reflects current capacity, lane availability, and fuel conditions.

 

When to Use Volume LTL Shipping

Volume LTL becomes a smart option when your shipment is:

  • Too large for standard LTL due to weight or length

  • Not time-sensitive enough to justify a full truckload

  • Headed along a common freight lane with good carrier coverage

Shippers in industries like retail distribution, industrial manufacturing, and e-commerce fulfillment often turn to Volume LTL when balancing budget and delivery efficiency.

It’s particularly useful during seasonal peaks when standard LTL carriers enforce capacity limits or apply oversize fees to bulky freight.

 

Benefits of Volume LTL

Volume LTL offers a mix of flexibility and cost-efficiency that fits the needs of shippers with growing or fluctuating demand. The most common benefits include:

  • Lower cost than FTL for larger shipments

  • More predictable pricing compared to oversize LTL rates

  • Reduced handling, which lowers damage risk

  • Better utilization of carrier trailer space

It also allows businesses to avoid splitting large shipments across multiple standard LTL carriers, which can complicate tracking and delivery coordination.

 

Considerations and Limitations

While Volume LTL is a valuable tool, it isn’t always the best fit. It usually requires flexible transit windows and is often subject to limited availability, especially on less common shipping lanes.

Because pricing is based on spot quotes, it also lacks the rate consistency of tariff-based LTL contracts. Volume LTL may not be ideal for time-critical shipments, delicate freight, or destinations outside of high-density delivery zones.

Lastly, packaging and load configuration still matter—improper palletizing or excessive height can disqualify a shipment from Volume LTL eligibility.

 

How to Get a Volume LTL Quote

Most Volume LTL shipments are quoted manually or through transportation management systems (TMS) that aggregate real-time spot pricing. When requesting a quote, be prepared to provide:

  • Number of pallets

  • Dimensions and total weight

  • Pickup and delivery zip codes

  • Special handling or service requirements

Providing accurate details ensures that the quote reflects true cost and availability. Many carriers also require a minimum linear foot threshold, so having exact freight measurements is essential.

 

Final Thoughts

Volume LTL shipping fills an important gap in freight logistics, offering a solution for large but not quite truckload-sized shipments. It combines some of the cost-saving benefits of LTL with the reduced handling and better routing of full truckload service.

For businesses regularly shipping heavier or bulkier loads, understanding how and when to use Volume LTL can make a meaningful difference in freight cost, transit time, and operational efficiency.