FTL vs LTL Freight in Canada: Which One Actually Saves You Money?
If you're a Canadian carrier deciding between full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL), the answer isn't always straightforward. FTL pays more per load, but LTL offers consistency. Here's the real breakdown with Canadian lane data.
The Short Version
FTL: Better per-mile rates ($3.20-$4.50/mi on major Canadian lanes), but deadhead kills profit.
LTL: Lower per-mile ($1.80-$3.00/mi), but you can double-broker partials and maximize every inch of trailer space.
The best carriers run both — FTL for primary lanes, LTL to fill backhauls and minimize empty miles.
1. FTL (Full Truckload) — When It Works
FTL means your trailer is dedicated to one customer's shipment from pickup to delivery. In Canada, average FTL rates for a 53' dry van:
| Lane | Distance | Avg Rate/mi | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver → Calgary | 675 mi | $3.85 | $2,599 |
| Toronto → Montreal | 335 mi | $4.25 | $1,424 |
| Toronto → Vancouver | 2,700 mi | $3.20 | $8,640 |
| Montreal → Halifax | 820 mi | $3.65 | $2,993 |
| Calgary → Winnipeg | 830 mi | $3.50 | $2,905 |
Best for: Dedicated runs, high-volume shippers, time-sensitive loads, reefer/ temp-controlled freight.
2. LTL (Less Than Truckload) — When It Wins
LTL is partial freight — you share trailer space. Per-mile rates are lower but net profit per cube can be higher if you're strategic.
LTL sweet spots in Canada:
- 1-6 pallets bound for the same region
- Backhauls from rural areas where FTL loads are scarce
- Heavy freight (class 85-150) where you bill by weight
- Customer relationship building — shippers test with LTL before committing to FTL contracts
3. Hidden Costs Both Shippers Ignore
FTL hidden costs: Deadhead (empty return miles), detention (avg $75-125/hr after 2 free hours), fuel surcharge fluctuations ($0.25-0.50/mi swing between provinces).
LTL hidden costs: Reclassification (inaccurate freight class bumps cost 15-30%), liftgate fees ($100-200), residential delivery ($75-150).
Running through a dispatch broker like HAS Freight eliminates most of these — we know which re-classification triggers to avoid and which FTL lanes have guaranteed backhauls.
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