Knowing your freight shipping options—including consolidated LTL—can streamline your operations and help you save money.

 

Even when you’re working with an expert freight forwarder or freight broker, it’s still important to understand the available freight options. That way, you’ll know the right questions to ask, and you’ll have the confidence in the shipping method you’ve selected.

 

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about consolidated LTL freight shipping. We’ll cover how it works, what sets it apart from other freight options, and why it might be the perfect fit for your business. (Or not!)

 

What Does Consolidated LTL Mean?

Shipping LTL Freight

Consolidated LTL stands for consolidated less than truckload.

 

When you choose LTL freight service, your shipment will share space with other shipments in the trailer, as opposed to FTL freight service, which gives you a dedicated trailer to fill as you please.

 

Under the umbrella of LTL freight consolidation, there are two ways of distributing freight:

 

1. Hub-and-Spoke LTL Shipping

How It Works: Considered the more “traditional” way of operating, hub-and-spoke LTL involves collecting freight at a local terminal—i.e., the spoke.  

 

From there, freight headed for similar destinations is loaded on a truck and moved to a distribution center—the hub. There, the freight is unloaded, sorted, and moved either to another distribution center in the network or to another hub. Once the freight reaches a hub close to the final destination, it’s put on a truck for final delivery. 

Pro of the Hub-and-Spoke LTL Method:

  • When choosing a carrier with a developed network, pickups can happen faster and delivery timelines can create some efficiencies.

Cons of the Hub-and-Spoke LTL Method:

  • Since the shipment will be loaded and unloaded multiple times, the increased handling also increases the potential for damage.
  • Longer delivery timelines are likely because shipments need to progress through the carrier’s network.

 

2. Consolidated LTL Shipping

How It Works: Carriers using the consolidated LTL method collect freight at a central warehouse. Freight headed for similar destinations is loaded onto a truck which will ultimately deliver that freight to its final destination.

Pros of the Consolidated LTL Method:

  • Consolidated LTL can make for faster delivery timelines, compared to hub-and-spoke LTL. (Although FTL would ultimately be fastest.)
  • Consolidated LTL shipments are usually loaded and unloaded fewer times. That means less handling of your shipment and a decreased possibility for damage.

Con of the Consolidated LTL Method:

  • Since hub-and-spoke LTL is more common, it can be harder to find a carrier using this method.
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Is LTL Service Right for You?

Should you be considering FTL for your freight needs? Check out our comprehensive guide to LTL vs. FTL shipping so you can choose the right option for your operations—and your budget. 

 

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Is Consolidated LTL Right for Your Business?

Consolidated LTL shipping isn’t a one-size-fits-all freight solution. An experienced freight forwarder or freight broker can match you with the right options for your specific load, your desired timeline, and your target budget.

 

However, to give you an overview:

 

Consolidated LTL Could Be a Good Fit If:

  • You’re moving more sensitive or higher-value freight that could get damaged by increased handling. (Keep in mind that FTL service will be your top choice to minimize handling, since FTL freight is loaded once and then unloaded at the final destination.)
  • You’re interested in the happy medium between speed and cost. (FTL would be fastest, but also more expensive. Hub-and-spoke LTL shipments could potentially take longer to arrive.)

Consolidated LTL May Not Be Ideal If:

  • You’re on a tight timeline and you need to hit a specific delivery window. (Go with FTL, if that’s the case.)
  • Your freight requires specific temperature control or highly specialized handling. It can be challenging to find other loads with similar needs (though not impossible).

Our experienced trucking team here at Approved would be happy to help you choose the right shipping method. Reach out and share the details of your shipment with us. Together, we’ll talk through the pros and cons to help you find the right freight solution for your timeline and budget.

What to Look for in a Consolidated LTL Provider

Not every freight provider offers consolidated LTL shipping. As you evaluate potential logistics partners, here’s what to look for in your consolidated LTL provider:

  • End-to-End Capabilities: A provider that can manage your shipment from pickup through final delivery, including warehousing, sorting, and last-mile delivery will help streamline your logistics.
  • Expertise in Freight Consolidation: Look for experience with LTL, ocean, and air freight consolidation to ensure maximum flexibility as your needs grow.
  • Advanced Inventory Visibility: Real-time tracking and detailed inventory management at the pallet, case, or SKU level give you better insight so you can make well-informed decisions.
  • Flexible Warehousing and Sorting Services: Providers that offer sorting, segregation, and pick & pack services can optimize your inventory flow and help you adapt quickly to demand changes.
  • Customized Solutions for Growing Businesses: Whether you’re shipping a few pallets a month or scaling rapidly, your provider should offer tailored services that match your volume and goals.

A strong logistics partner can—and should—go beyond freight shipping to keep your entire business moving forward. Look for a provider that’s equipped to scale with you, streamline your operations, and deliver consistent, reliable results.

 

We’d love to assist. Request a quote from our team to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions About Consolidated LTL

Consolidated LTL is a shipping method in which multiple smaller freight shipments are combined into one truckload headed to a similar destination. By sharing a trailer, consolidated LTL can result in reduced transportation costs, as compared to booking that same shipment FTL. 

Depending on the freight you’re shipping, as well as the origin and destination points, consolidated LTL can cost less than standard/hub-and-spoke LTL. The best way to know is to reach out for a quote. 

Transit times vary depending on the exact origin and destination points. However, in some cases, consolidated LTL can be faster than hub-and-spoke LTL, since it often involves fewer stops and transfers. If a more exact timeline is important, you may want to consider FTL service instead. 

Freight carriers will make every effort to transport freight without damaging it. Consolidated LTL freight tends to see less handling than hub-and-spoke LTL freight, resulting in a lower risk of damage. However, if you want to minimize handling and maximize security, FTL service is the way to go, since your freight will only be loaded at origin and unloaded at destination.  

Consolidated LTL can be particularly well-suited for small businesses regularly shipping a few pallets at a time. It offers an affordable, reliable alternative to full truckload shipping. 

For help choosing the right shipping method for your business, get in touch with our trucking experts. 

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