LTL Freight
Less-than-truckload is the most cost-effective way to move freight that does not fill a trailer. We quote it, class it, and route it through the right national carrier.
What LTL freight is
Less-than-truckload, or LTL, is shared-trailer shipping. Instead of paying for a whole trailer, your freight rides with other shippers and you pay for the space, weight, and freight class it occupies. It is the standard way to move anything from a single pallet up to roughly six.
LTL travels through a carrier network of terminals, so freight is loaded, line-hauled, and cross-docked along the way. The trade-off is simple: you get a far lower rate than a dedicated truck in exchange for a few extra handoffs and a slightly longer transit.
What drives your LTL rate
LTL pricing is built from a handful of factors. Knowing them up front means fewer surprises and a more accurate quote.
- Freight class (NMFC), which is driven largely by density
- Actual weight and dimensions of the palletized freight
- Origin and destination, including the distance and lane
- Accessorials such as liftgate, residential, or inside delivery
- Whether the freight needs an appointment or limited-access pickup
- Your shipment is 1 to 6 pallets or under about 15,000 pounds
- Cost matters more than the fastest possible transit
- The freight is packaged and palletized to handle terminal transfers
- You ship regularly and want predictable class-based pricing
How we handle your LTL
You send the lane
Origin, destination, pallet count, weight, and dimensions. A quick call or the quote form is all it takes.
We class and quote it
We confirm the freight class and density, compare our carrier network, and come back with a competitive rate and transit.
We book and track it
We schedule the pickup, dispatch the carrier, and keep you updated until it delivers. One point of contact the whole way.
Equipment and accessorials
- Liftgate pickup and delivery for docks without a loading bay
- Residential and limited-access delivery
- Inside delivery and appointment scheduling
- Protect-from-freeze and other handling requirements
LTL questions, answered
How is freight class determined?
Freight class is set by the National Motor Freight Classification and is driven mostly by density (pounds per cubic foot), along with handling, stowability, and liability. Denser, sturdier freight generally gets a lower class and a lower rate.
If you are not sure of your class, our density calculator gives you a starting point, and a dispatcher confirms it on the quote.
How many pallets can move as LTL?
LTL typically covers 1 to 6 pallets or up to about 15,000 pounds. Above that, partial truckload is usually cheaper and involves less handling, and we will tell you when that is the case.
How long does LTL take?
LTL transit depends on the lane and the terminals in between. It is slower than a direct truckload move but far cheaper. We quote the expected transit with the rate so there are no surprises.
Can you handle liftgate or residential delivery?
Yes. Liftgate, residential, inside delivery, and appointment scheduling are all standard accessorials we add to the quote so the price you see is the price you pay.
Service Is The Product
I have been working with Brent and his team for almost a year and the experience has been nothing but positive.Janeen C., RS Group customer
The best part of working with RS Group is the customer service you can expect to receive.Michael D., RS Group customer
RS Group, to me, represents the pinnacle in customer service.Dustin W., RS Group customer
Get An LTL Quote
Send us the lane and the freight and a real dispatcher will class it and quote it. No self-service pricing.