LTL vs. FTL Shipping in Canada: Which Do You Need?

If you ship freight in Canada, you are constantly making a choice between LTL and FTL. Get it right and you save money while getting product to customers on time. Get it wrong and you either overpay for truck space you do not use, or you delay shipments waiting to fill a full trailer.

This guide explains how both modes work, when each one makes sense, and how to find the right balance for your shipping profile.

What Is FTL (Full Truckload) Shipping?

Full truckload shipping means your shipment fills an entire trailer (or close to it) and the truck goes directly from point A to point B without stopping to pick up or deliver other shippers' freight. A standard dry van trailer holds approximately 44,000-45,000 lbs and 2,500+ cubic feet.

Key characteristics of FTL shipping:

• Dedicated truck and driver for your shipment
• Direct routing with no additional stops or terminals
• Faster transit times since there is no hub-and-spoke consolidation
• Lower risk of damage because your freight is not handled multiple times
• Pricing is typically per mile or per trip, not per hundred pounds (CWT)
• Available in dry van, flatbed, reefer, and specialty trailer types

What Is LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) Shipping?

LTL shipping is for shipments that do not need an entire truck. Your freight shares trailer space with shipments from other companies heading in the same general direction. LTL shipments typically range from 150 lbs to 10,000 lbs.

Key characteristics of LTL shipping:

• Shared trailer space means you only pay for the portion of the truck you use
• Freight is picked up, consolidated at a terminal, sorted, and loaded onto a linehaul truck with other shipments
• Pricing is based on freight class, weight, dimensions, and distance
• Transit times are longer because of terminal stops and consolidation
• More handling touchpoints increase the risk of damage
• Accessorial charges (liftgate, inside delivery, residential) can add up

FTL vs. LTL: Side-by-Side Comparison

When FTL Makes Sense

Use FTL shipping when:

• Your shipment weighs more than 10,000 lbs or takes up more than half a trailer
• You need guaranteed delivery within a specific time window
• You are shipping fragile or high-value goods where damage risk needs to be minimised
• You are transferring inventory between warehouses in bulk
• You have regular, recurring shipments on the same lane (ideal for dedicated fleet arrangements)
• Time sensitivity is high and you cannot afford terminal delays

When LTL Makes Sense

Use LTL shipping when:

• Your shipment weighs less than 8,000 lbs and does not fill a trailer
• You ship infrequently and cannot consolidate enough volume for FTL
• Cost per shipment matters more than speed
• You are delivering to multiple small customers across different locations
• Your products are durable and can handle the additional handling

The Breakeven Point

The point at which FTL becomes cheaper than LTL varies by lane, freight class, and carrier, but as a general rule:

Canadian Freight Market Considerations

Shipping in Canada comes with unique challenges that affect both LTL and FTL:

Distance

Canada is enormous. A shipment from Belleville, Ontario to Calgary, Alberta is roughly 3,400 km. That is a 35+ hour drive, which means multi-day transit for FTL and even longer for LTL with terminal stops. Having warehouse facilities in multiple regions reduces the distance your freight needs to travel.

Seasonal Capacity

Carrier capacity in Canada tightens significantly during peak seasons (Q4 for retail, spring for hardware and construction). During tight capacity markets, FTL rates spike and LTL carriers may impose volume limits or surcharges. Booking capacity early and working with a 3PL that has carrier relationships helps ensure you have trucks when you need them.

Cross-Border Considerations

For Canada-US shipments, FTL is generally preferred because customs clearance is simpler with a single bill of lading and one shipment per trailer. LTL cross-border involves more documentation and can face additional delays at the border.

Strategies to Optimise Freight Costs

1. 1Consolidate multiple small shipments into fewer, larger ones. Shipping two 5,000 lb loads is more expensive than one 10,000 lb FTL.
2. 2Use cross-docking to combine inbound LTL shipments into outbound FTL loads heading to the same region.
3. 3Pre-position inventory in regional warehouses so orders ship shorter distances via less expensive freight modes.
4. 4Negotiate volume-based rates with carriers. A 3PL can leverage aggregate volume across all clients for better pricing.
5. 5Review your freight class assignments. An incorrect NMFC classification can result in significantly higher LTL rates.
6. 6Consider dedicated fleet arrangements for your highest-volume lanes. Fixed pricing eliminates rate volatility.

How Mikhaiel Handles Freight

Mikhaiel Logistics provides FTL, LTL, and dedicated fleet services integrated with our warehousing operations. This means your inventory is stored, managed, and shipped under one roof. No handoff between warehouse provider and freight broker. No finger-pointing when something goes wrong.

Our transportation team manages carrier relationships, rate negotiations, and route optimisation across all six facilities. We can help you determine the right freight mode for each shipment, consolidate loads to reduce costs, and secure capacity during peak periods.