Truckload Freight Services
Route freight with confidence using vetted truckload carriers across TLI’s extensive nationwide network.
Get StartedTruckload Freight
TLI’s Truckload Freight (TL) services help shippers move large or critical shipments safely and efficiently. With a network of over 30,000 vetted carriers, TLI provides access to a wide range of truckload equipment and specialized shipping solutions. Common truckload equipment includes dry vans, flatbeds, and temperature-controlled trailers, along with specialized equipment such as lowboys, hotshots, straight trucks, RGNs, curtain-side trailers, and more.
Truckload shipping is ideal for larger, high-value, or time-sensitive freight. Shipments move on a dedicated truck, typically traveling directly from pickup to delivery to minimize handling and transit time. Most truckload equipment comes in 48-foot or 53-foot trailers and can typically accommodate shipments up to 44,000 pounds, depending on equipment type and shipment requirements.
What is Truckload Freight?
Truckload (TL) shipping is a method where a single shipment fills or nearly fills an entire truck trailer, moving directly from pickup to delivery on a dedicated truck. It’s ideal for large, heavy, high-value, or time-sensitive freight, as it reduces handling and speeds up transit. Common equipment includes dry vans, flatbeds, and temperature-controlled trailers, typically ranging from 48 to 53 feet and carrying up to 44,000 pounds. Unlike less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping, TL shipments don’t share space with other freight, making it faster and more efficient.
When to Utilize Truckload Carriers?
Truckload Freight shipping is utilized for the following kinds of shipments:
- Large Shipment: If a shipment requires a full trailer, a dedicated truckload is the best option. A standard dry van can typically fit up to 26 standard pallets.
- Irregular or Uncommon Freight: Various equipment types give flexibility for irregular freight or freight unfavorable to LTL carriers.
- High-Value Freight: Freight claims rates tend to be lower with truckload carriers since freight handling is minimal.
- Time-Sensitive Freight: If freight must deliver on a particular day, then a truckload carrier is best to utilize to avoid delays.
What is a multi-stop truckload?
A multi-stop truckload is a truckload shipment that makes more than one stop along its route to pick up or deliver freight. Instead of traveling directly from point A to point B, the truck may stop at multiple locations for the same shipper or different customers, while still dedicating the trailer to that shipment.
Difference between Spot and Contract Rates
With contract FTL pricing, shippers lock in stable rates and guaranteed truck capacity for recurring freight, making budgeting predictable. Spot FTL pricing offers flexibility for one-time or seasonal shipments, letting you secure trucks as needed, though rates can fluctuate with market demand.
Start Making Shipping Easy.
Get in touch with an expert to discuss your challenges and start managing freight effectively.
How to Choose the Right Truckload Shipping Solution
The right truckload shipping strategy depends on your shipment frequency, freight volume, delivery requirements, and the consistency of your shipping lanes. TLI helps shippers arrange transportation for one-time shipments, establish pricing for recurring freight, and secure capacity across multiple origin and destination markets.
- Spot truckload shipping: Best for one-time shipments, urgent loads, seasonal demand, and overflow freight that falls outside existing contracts.
- Contract truckload shipping: Best for recurring lanes where negotiated pricing and planned capacity support more predictable transportation costs.
- Dedicated truckload capacity: Best for shippers who need capacity reserved for specific freight requirements or ongoing transportation operations. The exact commitment depends on the agreement.
- Managed truckload shipping: Best for businesses that want help sourcing carriers, managing rates, coordinating shipments, monitoring performance, and identifying opportunities to optimize freight spend.
TLI supports all four needs through access to more than 30,000 vetted carriers, spot and contract pricing options, and managed transportation services. Whether you ship one truckload a month or manage a nationwide network of recurring lanes, TLI helps you identify appropriate capacity and build a transportation strategy around your business requirements.
| TRUCKLOAD STRATEGY | BEST FOR | PRIMARY BENEFIT |
|---|---|---|
| Spot truckload | One-time, urgent, or overflow shipments | Flexible, shipment-by-shipment pricing |
| Contract truckload | Recurring freight on established lanes | Negotiated rates and planned capacity |
| Dedicated truckload | Ongoing or reserved capacity requirements | Greater control over capacity commitments |
| Managed truckload | Multiple lanes or complex shipping operations | Coordinated carrier sourcing, and optimization |
Can TLI Manage Truckload Shipping Across Multiple Locations and Lanes?
TLI helps shippers that operate out of multiple locations and we source truckload capacity for individual lanes, recurring routes, and multi-lane transportation networks across the United States. By evaluating lane requirements, shipment frequency, available carrier capacity, and pricing options, TLI helps businesses determine where spot shipments make sense, where contract rates may be appropriate, and where broader managed transportation can improve freight operations. Shippers can use TLI for individual truckload shipments or expand into a managed program as their transportation needs grow.
50+
Industries
30K+
approved Carriers
85,535,896
2025 total Miles
535,896,334 lbs
2025 total Pounds
Truckload Shipping
Services to optimize Truckload Freight.
Carrier Monitoring
TLI uses Highway, an industry-leading carrier risk management and identity verification platform, to help vet carriers and maintain an up-to-date, reliable carrier network. This technology supports our carrier qualification process by helping verify carrier credentials, monitor risk indicators, and identify potential fraud before transportation is assigned.
Gain Efficiencies
Managed logistics customers benefit from TLI through a more strategic, data-driven approach to freight management that extends beyond securing truckload capacity. TLI helps shippers optimize transportation spend, negotiate competitive carrier contracts, consolidate shipments, coordinate inbound routing, improve shipment visibility, and identify cost-saving opportunities across their freight network.
Common Truckload Shipping Questions:
Full truckload (FTL) shipping dedicates a truck and trailer to one shipment, while less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping combines freight from multiple shippers in one trailer. FTL is often preferred for large shipments, time-sensitive deliveries, and freight that benefits from fewer handling points. LTL is typically more cost-effective for smaller shipments that do not require an entire trailer. TLI helps shippers evaluate both options (mode optimization services) based on shipment size, delivery requirements, and total transportation cost.
Truckload freight rates depend on the shipping distance, origin and destination, equipment type, fuel costs, current carrier capacity, pickup and delivery requirements, and shipment characteristics. Spot truckload rates are quoted for individual shipments and fluctuate with market conditions, while contract rates are negotiated for recurring lanes over an agreed period. TLI provides spot FTL quotes and contract truckload pricing to help shippers secure capacity and manage transportation costs based on their shipping needs.
Shippers can secure recurring truckload capacity with TLI by establishing contract rates for frequently used lanes, forecasting shipment volumes, and working with a transportation provider that maintains a qualified carrier network. For additional flexibility, shippers can combine contract pricing for consistent freight with spot market capacity for overflow, seasonal demand, and one-time shipments.
TLI arranges truckload transportation using dry van, flatbed, temperature-controlled, and specialized equipment, including lowboys, hotshots, straight trucks, RGNs, and curtain-side trailers. The appropriate equipment depends on freight dimensions, weight, loading requirements, temperature restrictions, and delivery conditions. TLI helps shippers identify suitable equipment and source qualified carriers for standard, oversized, temperature-sensitive, and other specialized freight requirements.
Spot truckload rates are one-time prices based on current market conditions and are commonly used for immediate, irregular, or seasonal shipments. Contract truckload rates are negotiated in advance for recurring freight on specified lanes over an agreed period, helping shippers improve budget predictability and plan capacity. TLI supports both pricing strategies, allowing shippers to contract consistent lanes while using spot rates for additional shipments or changing freight requirements.
OTR (Over-the-Road) trucking is long-distance freight transportation between cities, states, and regions. Dry van shipping uses an enclosed 48- to 53-foot trailer to transport palletized, boxed, and general freight that does not require temperature control. Truckload freight, also called full truckload (FTL), uses a dedicated trailer for a single shipper’s shipment rather than sharing trailer space with multiple shippers. TLI arranges nationwide OTR truckload shipping using dry vans, flatbeds, refrigerated trailers, and specialized equipment for both spot shipments and recurring freight lanes.
Dedicated truckload shipping generally refers to capacity reserved for a specific shipper, lane, or ongoing transportation requirement, while spot truckload shipping is booked at a one-time market rate for an individual shipment. Contract truckload shipping uses pre-negotiated rates for recurring freight lanes over an agreed period, helping shippers plan transportation budgets and capacity. TLI helps shippers determine which of these three approaches fits their freight volume, shipment frequency, and service requirements, whether they need a single truckload, recurring lane coverage, or capacity across an entire transportation network.
