LTL shipments typically run from one pallet up to about six to twelve pallets, or roughly 150 to 15,000 pounds. Below that, parcel carriers are usually cheaper; above it, a full truckload is usually cheaper.
LTL freight moves through a hub-and-spoke network. A shipment is picked up locally, taken to a terminal, sorted, line-hauled to a terminal near the destination, sorted again, and delivered. That handling is why LTL transit takes longer and why damage and reweigh/reclass disputes are more common than in truckload.
LTL pricing depends on freight class (a standardized measure of density, stowability, handling, and liability), weight, distance, and accessorials such as liftgate, residential delivery, and inside delivery. Misdeclaring class or dimensions leads to a corrected invoice after the fact.
Example
A manufacturer ships four pallets of machine parts, 2,800 pounds total, from Grand Rapids to Charlotte. Rather than pay for a full 53-foot trailer, it books an LTL carrier. The shipment shares the trailer with freight from several other shippers, moves through two terminals, and delivers in three business days at a fraction of a truckload rate.
Why it matters
Choosing LTL versus truckload versus partial truckload is a cost-and-transit tradeoff that changes with pallet count, weight, and how time-sensitive the delivery is. The wrong choice either overpays for space or adds days of transit.