Full truckload shipping. Definition & largest FTL carriers in the US
Whether you handle regular freight flows or occasional shipments, choosing between FTL and LTL is an important part of transport planning. Full truckload shipping offers clear advantages for certain cargo types and volumes. Below we outline what FTL shipping is and highlight the main differences compared to LTL transport
What is full truckload shipping?
Full truckload shipping, often abbreviated as FTL shipping, is a transport method in which an entire trailer is reserved for a single shipment. Your goods are not combined with other cargo, unlike with less than truckload shipping. In most cases, the trailer is loaded at the point of origin and driven directly to the final destination.
This type of transport is typically used when you have enough volume to fill a trailer or when you want faster transit times, reduced handling, and a lower risk of damage.
FTL vs LTL shipping
Full truckload (FTL) shipping offers several benefits but also some disadvantages compared to less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping. The table below provides a detailed comparison of the two methods.
| Aspect | FTL (Full Truckload) | LTL (Less-than-Truckload) |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A full trailer is dedicated to one shipment. No consolidation with other cargo. | Multiple smaller shipments from different shippers are combined in one trailer. |
| Shipment size | Suitable for large loads, typically 10 to 26 pallets or a full trailer. | Suitable for small loads of around 1 to 6 pallets. |
| Price structure | Fixed rate per truck. Cost efficient when shipping higher volumes. | Pricing depends on weight, dimensions, distance and any additional services. |
| Transit time | Faster. The shipment moves directly from origin to destination. | Longer. Shipments make multiple stops and transfer points. |
| Handling | Minimal handling, resulting in a lower risk of damage. | More handling at terminals, which slightly increases the risk of damage. |
| Use case | Ideal for time sensitive, high value or full volume shipments. | Ideal for smaller or less time critical shipments. |
| Pickup planning | Requires more precise scheduling and full truck capacity. | More flexible pickup options due to smaller shipment size. |
| Cost efficiency | More efficient when the trailer is fully utilised or when speed is important. | More economical when a full truck is not needed. |
| Typical industries | Manufacturing, automotive and high volume retail flows. | E-commerce, smaller businesses and irregular shipping volumes. |
Full truckload carriers in the US
Are you looking for full truckload companies? The following businesses offer full truckload services in the US.
Category 1: Industry titans (General freight & network capacity)
These carriers represent the largest fleets in the U.S., offering massive dry van capacity and broad national coverage.
1. Knight-Swift Transportation
🗺️ Network & coverage. Nationwide coverage with one of the largest truckload fleets in the U.S.
🚛 Service specialization. Dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, and dedicated truckload.
💻 Technology & tracking. Real-time tracking, API and EDI integrations, advanced fleet telematics.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Intermodal, warehousing, cross-border (Canada/Mexico), brokerage.
2. Schneider National
🗺️ Network & coverage. Strong nationwide presence with major hubs near ports and inland distribution centers.
🚛 Service specialization. Dry van TL, intermodal, reefer, bulk, and dedicated contract carriage.
💻 Technology & tracking. Modern telematics, FreightPower digital platform, predictive analytics.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Intermodal integration, supply-chain services, cross-border, brokerage.
3. J.B. Hunt Transport Services
🗺️ Network & coverage. Broad U.S. network with heavy presence in major transport corridors.
🚛 Service specialization. Truckload, intermodal, dedicated, and final-mile heavy goods.
💻 Technology & tracking. J.B. Hunt 360° logistics platform with detailed tracking and automation.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Intermodal connectivity, brokerage, multimodal freight options.
4. Werner Enterprises
🗺️ Network & coverage. Nationwide coverage plus Mexico and Canada lanes.
🚛 Service specialization. Dry van TL, temperature-controlled, dedicated, cross-border.
💻 Technology & tracking. Werner EDGE digital platform, advanced safety tech, and real-time visibility.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Brokerage, intermodal, logistics engineering solutions.
5. U.S. Xpress (Part of Knight-Swift)
🗺️ Network & coverage. Large national footprint with a strong presence in the Southeast.
🚛 Service specialization. Dry van TL and dedicated contract services.
💻 Technology & tracking. Fleet telematics, digital load tracking, and customer visibility tools.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Brokerage and dedicated fleet solutions through Variant.
6. Heartland Express
🗺️ Network & coverage. National footprint with high concentration in major freight corridors.
🚛 Service specialization. Dry van TL.
💻 Technology & tracking. Real-time tracking and strict safety monitoring.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Dedicated capacity and regional fleets.
7. Crete Carrier / Shaffer Trucking
🗺️ Network & coverage. Strong nationwide capacity with a large long-haul fleet.
🚛 Service specialization. Dry van (Crete) and refrigerated (Shaffer).
💻 Technology & tracking. GPS tracking and telematics.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Dedicated fleet programs.
Category 2: Specialized carriers (reefer, flatbed & heavy haul)
Carriers focused on specific equipment needs, such as temperature control, open-deck trailers, or heavy machinery.
8. Prime Inc.
🗺️ Network & coverage. Nationwide operations with strong reefer and flatbed presence.
🚛 Service specialization. Refrigerated, flatbed, tanker, and dry van TL.
💻 Technology & tracking. Shipment visibility tools and driver telematics.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Training fleet, brokerage, tanker specialty solutions.
9. Marten Transport
🗺️ Network & coverage. Nationwide with strong reefer specialization.
🚛 Service specialization. Temperature-controlled truckload.
💻 Technology & tracking. Reefer telematics and digital tracking.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Dedicated reefer, brokerage, and multi-stop support.
10. Hirschbach Motor Lines
🗺️ Network & coverage. Nationwide refrigerated network.
🚛 Service specialization. Reefer truckload.
💻 Technology & tracking. High-visibility tracking and modern reefer telematics.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Dedicated reefer and specialized temperature control.
11. TMC Transportation
🗺️ Network & coverage. Nationwide flatbed operations.
🚛 Service specialization. Flatbed and specialized open-deck TL.
💻 Technology & tracking. High-tech onboard telematics and load visibility tools.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Heavy-haul, dedicated flatbed, training programs.
12. Roehl Transport
🗺️ Network & coverage. Midwest-focused with nationwide reach.
🚛 Service specialization. Dry van, flatbed, refrigerated.
💻 Technology & tracking. TMS visibility tools and telematics.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Specialized flatbed and safety-focused services.
Category 3: Dedicated logistics & supply chain partners
These companies excel in providing dedicated fleets that act as an extension of the shipper’s own brand, often integrated with warehousing.
13. Penske Logistics (Truckload division)
🗺️ Network & coverage. North American coverage with strong contract logistics integration.
🚛 Service specialization. Dedicated truckload.
💻 Technology & tracking. TMS, telematics, real-time visibility platforms.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Warehousing, 3PL services, and distribution management.
14. Ryder (Dedicated transportation solutions)
🗺️ Network & coverage. Nationwide contract-carriage network.
🚛 Service specialization. Dedicated truckload within managed logistics.
💻 Technology & tracking. Advanced TMS systems, tracking, and fleet telematics.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Warehousing, fleet leasing, 3PL, and supply-chain engineering.
15. NFI Industries
🗺️ Network & coverage. Major North American footprint with a focus on port drayage and distribution centers.
🚛 Service specialization. Dedicated contract carriage, drayage, and temperature-controlled.
💻 Technology & tracking. Proprietary fleet management software and full-visibility dashboards.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Warehousing, global logistics, and integrated supply chain solutions.
Category 4: Expedited, cross-border & asset-light models
Providers focused on speed (teams), crossing borders efficiently, or using massive owner-operator networks.
16. Landstar System
🗺️ Network & coverage. Nationwide through an asset-light owner-operator network.
🚛 Service specialization. Truckload van, flatbed, heavy haul, and specialized freight.
💻 Technology & tracking. LandstarOne app for tracking, load boards, and document management.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Brokerage, high-capacity surge support, specialized project cargo.
17. CRST The Transportation Solution
🗺️ Network & coverage. Nationwide coverage with a strong team-driver model.
🚛 Service specialization. Expedited TL, dry van, flatbed, specialized heavy haul.
💻 Technology & tracking. Real-time tracking and advanced safety systems.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. High-speed team service, logistics, last-mile, and dedicated.
18. Covenant Logistics
🗺️ Network & coverage. Nationwide with strong presence in the Southeast and Midwest.
🚛 Service specialization. Team-driven expedited, high-value, temp-controlled.
💻 Technology & tracking. Modern telematics and cargo-tracking tools.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Dedicated, managed transportation, expedited teams.
19. CFI (Contract Freighters Inc.)
🗺️ Network & coverage. Strong lanes across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
🚛 Service specialization. Dry van truckload and cross-border freight.
💻 Technology & tracking. Standard TL telematics and customer tracking portals.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Mexico expertise, expedited, and Canadian transborder.
20. ArcBest
🗺️ Network & coverage. Global and nationwide connectivity via an asset-light and brokerage model.
🚛 Service specialization. Managed truckload, expedite (via Panther), and moving services.
💻 Technology & tracking. ArcBest connectivity platform for end-to-end supply chain visibility.
🔄 Flexibility & additional services. Premium expedited shipping, LTL integration, and managed transportation.
Hoefon’s solutions for Full Truckload freight
Hoefon Security Seals is an ISO 9001 certified supplier of tamper evident seals and transport monitoring equipment. If you use FTL services, carriers often allow you to seal the trailer yourself. In these cases, we recommend using one of our truck and trailer seals. Our portfolio includes ISO 17712:2013 certified high security cable seals for securing and protecting trailer doors, as well as indicative seals that help you detect any signs of tampering.
For monitoring the condition of goods during transport, we supply tilt indicators, temperature loggers and humidity loggers. If you require more information about our products or their applications, feel free to contact us.
Niels Pas
CEO Hoefon Security Seals
Niels Pas has been Hoefon Security Seals’ CEO since 2017. He has extensive international experience and speaks 4 languages professionally.
