Since LTL carriers have to accommodate multiple shipments in one truckload the initial freight transit time quoted might increase for your shipment. Understanding how less-than-truckload transit times work will help you operate your supply chain more efficiently and have a better experience with your carrier.
The most important thing to understand about LTL transit time is that your carrier is only referencing the long-haul part of the trip. You will need to add a day for both pick-up and delivery. And, it’s important to note that LTL freight is not moved on weekends.
For example, you might have booked a LTL shipment on Tuesday and the carrier provides a 3-day freight transit time. Here’s a breakdown of how that freight will likely move:
Though it took a week for your shipment to get delivered, the freight was only in transit for 3-days like the carrier originally stated. In general your freight will be on at least three different carrier trucks before it’s delivered - one for pick-up, one for transit and one for delivery. This will naturally contribute to longer transit times.
Another factor to keep in mind when setting expectations is whether you are shipping commercial or residential. In general, commercial shipments will have priority because delivering to a commercial location is a bit more predictable in terms of available roads and available docks. Weather can also play a big role in how much your transit time expands. Hurricanes, tornadoes, snowstorms, fires, floods will all restrict access and increase the time it will take to make the delivery.
Given how many factors of uncertainty make up the LTL shipment it is best practice to book early and ship early.
Since LTL carriers have to accommodate multiple shipments in one truckload the initial freight transit time quoted might increase for your shipment. Understanding how less-than-truckload transit times work will help you operate your supply chain more efficiently and have a better experience with your carrier.
The most important thing to understand about LTL transit time is that your carrier is only referencing the long-haul part of the trip. You will need to add a day for both pick-up and delivery. And, it’s important to note that LTL freight is not moved on weekends.
For example, you might have booked a LTL shipment on Tuesday and the carrier provides a 3-day freight transit time. Here’s a breakdown of how that freight will likely move:
Though it took a week for your shipment to get delivered, the freight was only in transit for 3-days like the carrier originally stated. In general your freight will be on at least three different carrier trucks before it’s delivered - one for pick-up, one for transit and one for delivery. This will naturally contribute to longer transit times.
Another factor to keep in mind when setting expectations is whether you are shipping commercial or residential. In general, commercial shipments will have priority because delivering to a commercial location is a bit more predictable in terms of available roads and available docks. Weather can also play a big role in how much your transit time expands. Hurricanes, tornadoes, snowstorms, fires, floods will all restrict access and increase the time it will take to make the delivery.
Given how many factors of uncertainty make up the LTL shipment it is best practice to book early and ship early.
