Shipping BasicsFTL vs. LTL: How to Choose the Right Mode for Your Shipment
Pallet count, weight, timing and handling all point toward one mode or the other. Here's how to tell which one fits your freight.
Read articleFreight transportation & logistics
PromisesDelivered.
FTL, LTL, expedited, partial and specialized freight across the United States — coordinated by one dedicated point of contact who knows your lanes, your freight and your operation.
- FTL
- LTL
- Expedited
- Partial
- Specialized
Dedicated Contact
One person who knows your freight.
Personal Service
Real people. Real accountability.
Available 24/7
Freight doesn't keep office hours.
Solutions-Driven
Options built around your lanes.
More than a broker
A partnershipthat delivers.
Logistics is about more than moving freight — it's about relationships. Patel Freight takes the time to understand how your shipping operation runs, then builds transportation around it: reliable coordination, clear communication and consistent service on every load.
Why Patel Freight
Promises aren't just words. They're how we do business.
- Dependable
point of contact - Proactive
communication - Coverage across
the U.S. - Built for long-term
partnerships
What we move
Freight solutionsbuilt around you.
From a few pallets to a dedicated trailer, we coordinate every shipment through a network of qualified transportation providers — and keep you informed from pickup through delivery.
- 01
Full Truckload
Dedicated truckload capacity for shipments that need an entire trailer — dry van, refrigerated or specialized equipment.
- 02
Less-Than-Truckload
Cost-effective shipping for smaller, palletized freight that doesn't need a full trailer, with competitive carrier rates.
- 03
Expedited Freight
Time-sensitive transportation for urgent shipments that need faster transit or dedicated service.
- 04
Partial Truckload
Flexible options for shipments larger than traditional LTL that don't require a full truckload.
- 05
Specialized Freight
Oversized, unique or complex freight that calls for specialized equipment and additional coordination.
- 06
Freight Management
Quoting, carrier coordination, shipment tracking and day-to-day communication — handled by one team.
Not sure which service fits your shipment?Try the 3-question service finder
Equipment
The right trailerfor every load.
Dry goods, cold chain or freight that won't fit in a box — we match your shipment to the equipment it actually needs, then find a qualified carrier to run it.
Dry Van
The workhorse of American freight. An enclosed trailer keeps palletized, boxed and packaged goods dry and secure from dock to dock.
- Trailer
- 53 ft enclosed
- Typical max
- ~45,000 lb
- Pallets
- 26 standard, single-stacked
- Loading
- Rear dock or liftgate
- Palletized goods
- Packaging
- Retail
- Non-perishables
Typical figures for standard equipment. Actual dimensions and weight limits vary by trailer, carrier and state regulations — your Patel Freight contact will confirm what fits your freight.
Why Patel Freight
Big-network reach.Small-team accountability.
Patel Freight pairs the transportation network you'd expect from a larger logistics provider with the responsiveness of a team that knows you by name.
- 01
One dependable contact
Someone who knows your freight, your regular lanes and what matters to your operation — not a different rep every call.
- 02
Proactive communication
Clear updates from pickup through delivery, and straight answers when plans change.
- 03
Competitive options
Access to a network of qualified carriers, with transportation options matched to your lane, timing and budget.
- 04
A long-term partner
We aim to become a dependable extension of your logistics team — earning your recurring freight, load after load.
Who we serve
Built for businesses that ship every week.
We partner with small and mid-sized shippers — and the shipping, logistics, operations and procurement teams behind them — who move freight consistently and want a partner who's accessible and familiar with their operation.
- Manufacturers
- Distributors
- Wholesalers
- Suppliers
- Importers & Exporters
- Industrial
- Building Materials
- Food & Beverage
- Automotive Suppliers
- Packaging
- Retail
Nationwide coverage
Your lanes,mapped.
From our office in Novi, we coordinate freight between markets across the lower 48. Pick a pickup and a delivery city to preview a lane — then send it straight to our team for a quote.
Novi, MILos Angeles, CA
Midwest to West Coast
Cities shown are examples of major freight markets. We quote pickups and deliveries throughout the United States.
How it works
From quoteto delivered.
A simple, consistent process — with the same point of contact from the first call to the final delivery.
Tell us what's moving
Share origin, destination, freight details and timing — by phone, email or the quote form.
Get a clear quote
We review options with qualified carriers and come back with a competitive, straightforward quote.
We coordinate the move
Carrier booking, pickup, tracking and updates — handled by your point of contact through delivery.
We learn your lanes
Every shipment teaches us more about your operation, so recurring freight gets simpler over time.
Freight class calculator
Know your classbefore you ship.
LTL carriers rate freight by class — and for many commodities, class now comes down to density. Enter a handling unit to estimate it.
Units
- Volume
- 106.7 ft³
- Total weight
- 1,600 lb
- Density
- 15.0 lb/ft³
- Est. class
- 70
- Trailer floor
- 4.0 ft · 8%
- Suggested mode
- Less-than-truckload (LTL)
Est. freight class7015.0 lb/ft³
- Outer ring — NMFC density scale
- Inner ring — share of a 53′ trailer floor
Estimate only, based on the NMFC 13-step density scale (effective July 19, 2025) and an unstacked floor load. Some commodities are classed by item rather than density, and carriers may re-weigh and re-measure — your Patel Freight contact will confirm the class for your freight.
A few of our LTL partner carriers
Service finder
Not sure whatyou need?
Three quick questions point you to the right service and equipment. Then send it to our team with one click — no guesswork on the quote form.
0/3
Your best fit shows up here.
Answer the questions to see which service and equipment fit your freight.
FAQ
Questions,answered.
The things shippers ask us most. Don't see yours? We're a phone call away — day or night.
Call us 24/71 (888) 521-7770We coordinate full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), partial truckload, expedited and specialized freight — on dry van, refrigerated, flatbed and oversize equipment — for businesses shipping throughout the United States.
Every shipment is coordinated through a network of qualified carriers, matched to your lane, equipment and timing. Your Patel Freight point of contact handles booking, pickup and updates through delivery.
Use the quote form on this page, call us 24/7 or email us. Include origin and destination, pickup date, commodity, weight, pallet count or dimensions, and any equipment or handling needs — the more detail, the more accurate the quote.
As a rule of thumb, a few pallets usually move LTL, around half a trailer suits partial truckload, and anything filling most of a 53′ trailer moves FTL. Try the service finder above, or ask your contact to compare options for your lane.
LTL carriers rate freight by NMFC class. Since July 19, 2025, many commodities are classed by density on a 13-step scale from class 50 to 400. Use the freight class calculator above for an estimate — some items are still classed individually, so your contact will confirm.
Yes. Expedited freight is one of our core services. Tell us your deadline and we'll look at dedicated capacity and the fastest practical options for your lane.
Yes. Your point of contact keeps you informed from pickup through delivery and gives you straight answers if plans change.
Absolutely. We partner with small and mid-sized shippers — manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and more — who ship regularly and want a partner who knows their operation.
From the blog
Shipping insightsworth a read.
Practical guides on modes, equipment and freight class — written for the people who ship.
View all articlesShipping Basics
Available 24/7
Have freightto move? Let's talk.
Call anytime
1 (888) 521-7770Request a quote
Tell us aboutyour freight.
Share a few details and your Patel Freight contact will follow up with options and a quote. Prefer to talk it through? Call us anytime.
- Phone1 (888) 521-7770
- Shippers · Rate Requestsquotes@patelfreight.com
- Carriers · Become a Partnercarriers@patelfreight.com
- Office43000 W 9 Mile Rd #301, Novi, MI 48375
- Hours24/7 Shipment Support