When a shipment is too big or heavy for a parcel label, you have two common choices: LTL (less than truckload) or expedited freight. Both move pallets. They work very differently.
LTL: a shared truck
Your pallets ride with other shippers' freight. The truck picks up several loads, brings them to a terminal, and they're sorted onto other trucks toward the destination. You pay for the space and weight you use.
- Price: set by weight, freight class and distance, plus extras such as a liftgate or residential delivery.
- Speed: transit is quoted in business days, and dates are estimates unless you pay for a guaranteed service.
- Handling: freight is loaded and unloaded at each terminal, so packing and wrapping matter.
- Watch for: re-bills when the carrier re-weighs or re-measures and finds a different class.
Expedite: a dedicated truck
A cargo van, sprinter or straight truck goes from your door to the delivery address with only your freight on board. No terminals, no transfers.
- Price: mostly by the mile for the vehicle, plus extras. You pay for the whole vehicle, even if your load doesn't fill it.
- Speed: it leaves as soon as it's loaded and drives straight there. Long runs can use a team of two drivers so the truck keeps moving.
- Handling: loaded once, unloaded once.
- Tracking: usually live, from the truck itself.
Which one to book
| LTL | Expedite | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Pallets that can wait a few days | Deadlines, production stops, events, launches |
| Cost | Usually lower | Higher, the vehicle is yours |
| Delivery date | Estimate | Planned to your deadline |
| Touches | Several, at terminals | One pickup, one delivery |
| Fragile or high value | Pack well | Better fit |
A simple rule: if the freight has to be there by a set time, or a late delivery costs more than the price difference, book expedite. If it can wait and the price matters more, book LTL.
See both at once in Muvo
Muvo Freight quotes both side by side for the same pallets: LTL from national and regional carriers, and a dedicated van or straight truck from Baltic Global, with the price breakdown and whether each option meets your deadline.