How-to · Updated October 2, 2026
When is a full truckload cheaper than LTL?
Direct answer
Two pallets totaling 1,500 lb over 900 miles are about $608 by LTL and $2,730 for a dry van. At 1,000 miles, 5,000 lb is still cheaper as LTL ($1,262 vs $3,034). 20,000 lb on 12 pallets flips: the van is $3,034 and LTL is $3,334.
Same lanes, both modes
Dock to dock, 48×40×48 in pallets, class from density, diesel $6.38/gal (September 28, 2026). Dry-van linehaul is $2.17/mile plus fuel.
| Shipment | Class | LTL | Dry van | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 pallet, 500 lb, 500 miles | 100 | $232 | $1,517 | LTL |
| 2 pallets, 1,500 lb, 900 miles | 85 | $608 | $2,730 | LTL |
| 4 pallets, 5,000 lb, 1,000 miles | 65 | $1,262 | $3,034 | LTL |
| 12 pallets, 20,000 lb, 1,000 miles | 60 | $3,334 | $3,034 | Truckload |
One 500 lb pallet over 500 miles is $0.46/lb by LTL. The 1,500 lb example is $0.41/lb. The 20,000 lb LTL rate is $0.17/lb, and the van on that lane is $0.15/lb.
How each price is built
- LTL on the 1,500 lb example: $25.76 per 100 lb × 15 cwt = $386 linehaul, plus a 57.3% fuel surcharge ($221).
- The van on that 900-mile lane: 900 × ($2.17 + $0.86 fuel) = $2,730.
- You pay for the whole truck whether it is full or not, so a light shipment almost never beats LTL on mileage alone.
Limits
- Planning estimate from published spot linehaul and a density-based LTL yield, not a carrier quote. Lane, season, and your discount change the bill.
- Liftgate, residential, and inside delivery are extra on LTL. They are not in the table above.
- Short truckload hauls under about 250 miles usually cost more per mile than the national average.
Use the calculator
Class changes the LTL side of this comparison: how to calculate freight class from density. Run both modes in the freight cost estimator.