LTL Consolidation Savings Calculator — Consolidation vs LTL Break-Even

Calculate savings from consolidating LTL shipments into FTL. Find your weight break-even and annual savings from a consolidation program.

Quick answer: FTL beats LTL at 12,000–16,000+ lbs typically. At Class 100 $28/cwt, 14,000 lbs = $3,920 LTL vs $2,270 FTL — $1,650 saving per consolidated load.

📦 LTL Consolidation Savings Calculator

Shipment Weight (lbs)

LTL Rate ($/cwt)

Rate per hundred weight (100 lbs)

Lane Miles

FTL Rate ($/mile)

Monthly Consolidated Loads

Consolidation Handling Cost ($)

Cross-dock or hold cost

Saving Per Consolidated Load

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LTL Cost

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FTL + Consolidation Cost

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How to Use This Calculator

Enter combined shipment weight — total weight of LTL shipments you would consolidate into one FTL.
Enter LTL rate per CWT — from carrier tariff or current invoice.
Enter FTL rate and handling cost — include cross-dock or holding cost for waiting to combine shipments.

Worked Example

14,000 lbs, $28/cwt LTL, 800 miles, $2.65 FTL, 3/month, $150 handling.

LTL: 140 × $28 = $3,920
FTL: $2,120 + $150 = $2,270
Save/load: $1,650
Annual: $59,400

Run this for your top 10 lanes by LTL spend — consolidation programs typically save 15–30% of LTL freight budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally 10,000–15,000 lbs depending on lane length and LTL class. Shorter lanes break even at higher weights; longer lanes favour FTL at lower weights.

Pool distribution consolidates multiple shippers' freight for a region onto one truck, with cost split between shippers. Bridges LTL and FTL — best for 4,000–12,000 lbs to clustered destinations.