How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
What is the best LTL company?
Old Dominion is the best LTL company for most shippers, because it posts 99 percent on-time delivery with a 0.1 percent cargo-claims ratio, the lowest in the industry, and it has ranked first for quality for 16 years. FedEx Freight is the best for national scale at $8.9 billion in revenue, and Southeastern is the best for next-day southern lanes.
Key takeaways
- Old Dominion leads on reliability with 99 percent on-time delivery and a 0.1 percent cargo-claims ratio, and it has ranked first for quality for 16 straight years in the Mastio study.
- The national average LTL rate is $607 for a standard 1-pallet shipment of 500 pounds at class 70, with a median of $533, in the Warp LTL Rate Index dated 13 Nov 2026.
- A single pallet typically costs $120 to $250 on mid-distance lanes, but fuel surcharges of 15 to 25 percent and accessorials add 15 to 40 percent on top of the base rate.
- Yellow shut down in July 2023 and removed about 10 percent of US LTL capacity, which tightened the market for every carrier on this list.
- FedEx Freight became an independent public company in June 2026 after its spin-off from FedEx Corporation, so its network and pricing now stand on their own.
How we picked
We picked LTL companies with a live website, a real terminal network, and service evidence from industry rankings or rate data checked on 14 Nov 2026. We ranked on-time delivery first, then cargo-claims ratio, then network coverage, then rate transparency. Every rate below is third-party reported from the Warp LTL Rate Index or industry guides, because LTL carriers price by quote and no carrier publishes a price list, and we flagged every figure that conflicts between sources. We left out Yellow, which shut down in July 2023, and we left out brokers that own no trucks.
Best LTL companies compared
| Carrier | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
| Old Dominion | Reliability and low claims | Quote only | No, freight is paid |
| FedEx Freight | National scale | Quote only | No, freight is paid |
| XPO | Technology and zip coverage | Quote only | No, freight is paid |
| Estes | Private-company service | Quote only | No, freight is paid |
| Saia | Fast-growing national network | Quote only | No, freight is paid |
| ABF Freight | Union workforce and 220 service centers | Quote only | No, freight is paid |
| R+L Carriers | Service quality scores | Quote only | No, freight is paid |
| Southeastern Freight Lines | Next-day southern lanes | Quote only | No, freight is paid |
How much does LTL shipping cost in 2026?
LTL shipping costs $0.20 to $0.45 per pound, or $120 to $250 per pallet on average in 2026, according to industry pricing guides, while the Warp LTL Rate Index puts the national average at $607 for a standard 1-pallet shipment of 500 pounds at class 70, with a median of $533. The gap between the two figures is the gap between a contracted mid-distance lane and a spot quote on a long lane: the worked example below shows a 1-pallet shipment at the $607 national average, plus a 20 percent fuel surcharge of $121, plus a $75 liftgate fee, for a total of $803, which is 32 percent above the quoted base rate. Get the all-in quote in writing, because the base rate is never the invoice.
What is the difference between a national and a regional LTL carrier?
A national LTL carrier runs a coast-to-coast terminal network and takes any lane, while a regional LTL carrier runs a dense network in one part of the country and wins on speed there. Old Dominion, FedEx Freight, XPO and Estes are national carriers with hundreds of terminals, and they are the only choice for a coast-to-coast lane over 2,000 miles. Southeastern Freight Lines is a regional carrier that dominates next-day southern lanes, because more than 60 percent of its lanes run direct with no extra terminal handling. R+L Carriers is a national carrier with a regional feel, scoring second in the 2026 Quest for Quality survey. Buy national when the lanes cross the country, and buy regional when the freight stays in one region and next-day delivery matters.
Should you use a freight broker or book direct with the carrier?
Book direct with the carrier when you ship the same lanes every week and can negotiate a contract rate, because the average contract rate is $46.40 per hundredweight in 2026 and a direct relationship locks it in. Use a broker or a rate platform when you ship occasionally, because the broker compares carriers on your lane and absorbs the quote work, and because a small shipper without a contract pays spot rates that run well above the contract average. The Warp index shows the middle 50 percent of lanes pricing between $403 and $725 for the same standard pallet, an 80 percent spread driven entirely by the lane, which is why a single carrier quote tells you nothing without a comparison. Either way, confirm the freight class before you book, because a reclassification at the terminal adds a fee and a delay.
Are LTL claims really that low?
LTL claims are low at the best carriers and average at the rest, so the carrier you pick decides the risk. Old Dominion reports a 0.1 percent cargo-claims ratio, XPO reports 0.3 percent, and the industry average damage rate is about 1.24 percent, which means the average carrier damages freight roughly twelve times as often as Old Dominion. The difference is handling: a traditional terminal network moves a pallet through 3 to 5 handling events, while a cross-dock model moves it through 1 to 2. Buy the low-claims carrier when the freight is fragile or high value, and insure the shipment when the freight is irreplaceable, because even a 0.1 percent claims ratio is not zero.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Old Dominion Freight Line | Reliability and low claims | Quote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026 | No, freight is paid |
 FedEx Freight | National scale | Quote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026 | No, freight is paid |
 XPO | Technology and zip coverage | Quote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026 | No, freight is paid |
 Estes Express Lines | Private-company service | Quote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026 | No, freight is paid |
 Saia | Fast-growing national network | Quote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026 | No, freight is paid |
 ABF Freight | Union workforce and 220 service centers | Quote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026 | No, freight is paid |
 R+L Carriers | Service quality scores | Quote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026 | No, freight is paid |
 Southeastern Freight Lines | Next-day southern lanes | Quote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026 | No, freight is paid |
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The 8 best LTL companies
#1
Old Dominion Freight Line
Best for: Reliability and low claims
Visit odfl.com
Starting priceQuote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026
Free planNo, freight is paid
Old Dominion is the best LTL company for most shippers, because no other carrier matches its record: 99 percent on-time delivery, a 0.1 percent cargo-claims ratio, and 16 straight years ranked first for quality in the Mastio study, including first place in 23 of 28 service attributes in 2025. It reported $5.8 billion in revenue in 2025 and earned the highest customer score of 51.97 in the 2025
What we like- 99 percent on-time delivery, a 0.1 percent cargo-claims ratio that is the lowest in the industry, 16 straight years ranked first for quality in the Mastio study, founded in 1934 with a national network
Watch out for- Often the most expensive carrier per pallet on spot lanes, with New York lane data showing $2,218 per pallet after surcharges, and its premium price only pays off when reliability is worth more than the rate
Starting priceQuote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026
Free planNo, freight is paid
FedEx Freight is the best pick for national scale, because it is the largest US LTL carrier by revenue at $8.9 billion in fiscal 2025, and its network reaches every major market with both Economy and Priority service levels. As of June 2026 it operates as an independent, publicly traded company after its spin-off from FedEx Corporation, which means shippers should check whether existing FedEx parcel agreements still cover the freight side.
What we like- The largest US LTL carrier by revenue at $8.9 billion in fiscal 2025, a national network of service centers, parcel integration with FedEx, Economy and Priority service levels
Watch out for- It became an independent public company in June 2026 after spinning off from FedEx Corporation, so its network and pricing now stand alone, and its scale does not guarantee the best rate on any single lane
Starting priceQuote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026
Free planNo, freight is paid
XPO is the best pick for technology and coverage, because it runs about 614 terminals and covers more than 99 percent of US zip codes, with a separate European network of more than 100 LTL sites. Its 0.3 percent damage-claims ratio is well below the industry average of 1.24 percent, and its booking and tracking tools suit shippers who manage freight in software rather than by phone.
What we like- About 614 terminals, coverage of more than 99 percent of US zip codes, a 0.3 percent damage-claims ratio, technology-led booking and tracking
Watch out for- Its Quest for Quality score of 46.52 trails Old Dominion at 52.10, and its base rates look low until the 15 to 25 percent fuel surcharge is added
Starting priceQuote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026
Free planNo, freight is paid
Estes is the best pick for shippers who want a private company that answers to customers rather than shareholders, because it is the largest privately held freight company in North America at $5.0 billion in 2025 revenue. More than 60 percent of its nearly 7,000 next-day lanes run direct, which cuts out the extra terminal handoffs that slow freight down and damage it.
What we like- The largest privately held freight company in North America at $5.0 billion in revenue, more than 60 percent of its nearly 7,000 next-day lanes run direct, named a 2025 Preferred LTL Carrier by Total Quality Logistics
Watch out for- A private company, so it publishes less financial detail than its public rivals, and its network is densest in the East and South
Starting priceQuote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026
Free planNo, freight is paid
Saia is the best pick for shippers who want a rising carrier rather than the biggest one, because it won the 2026 Logistics Management Quest for Quality National LTL award and runs about 214 terminals across a growing national network. Its growth means new lanes keep opening, which suits shippers whose freight map is expanding. The trade-off is coverage: with about 214 terminals against XPO's 614, some lanes need an interline partner, so confirm the lane is direct before you book, and compare the rate, because Saia prices vary widely by lane.
What we like- About 214 terminals, winner of the 2026 Logistics Management Quest for Quality National LTL award, a fast-growing network that keeps adding coverage
Watch out for- Its network is still smaller than Old Dominion or XPO, so some lanes need an interline partner, and its rates vary widely by lane
#6
ABF Freight
Best for: Union workforce and 220 service centers
Visit abf.com
Starting priceQuote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026
Free planNo, freight is paid
ABF Freight is the best pick for shippers who value a stable union workforce and a broad logistics partner, because it runs 220 service centers as the LTL carrier of ArcBest, which also offers truckload, expedited and managed transportation. Its website at abf.com now redirects to the ArcBest ABF Freight page, which is where shippers track shipments and request quotes. The ArcBest banner notes that widespread Microsoft outages may temporarily disrupt communication and shipment quoting, so confirm a quote by phone if the online tool is slow.
What we like- 220 service centers, part of ArcBest with a full logistics portfolio, a union workforce with low turnover, an established national network
Watch out for- Its website now redirects to the ArcBest site, so shippers book through the parent brand, and its rates are rarely the cheapest on a lane
Starting priceQuote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026
Free planNo, freight is paid
R+L Carriers is the best pick for shippers who buy on service scores rather than brand size, because it placed second in the 2026 Quest for Quality survey with a weighted score of 48.78, ahead of FedEx Freight at 48.50, Estes at 46.59 and XPO at 46.52. It is a family-owned carrier, which suits shippers who prefer a company that still answers to its owners.
What we like- Second place in the 2026 Quest for Quality survey with a score of 48.78, behind only Old Dominion, a family-owned carrier with a strong service record
Watch out for- Less brand recognition than the top three carriers, so some shippers overlook it, and its network is smaller than the national giants
#8
Southeastern Freight Lines
Best for: Next-day southern lanes
Visit sefl.com
Starting priceQuote only; 1-pallet shipment typically $150 to $600, national average $607 (Warp index, Nov 2026), third-party reported, checked 14 Nov 2026
Free planNo, freight is paid
Southeastern Freight Lines is the best pick for next-day southern lanes, because it is a regional specialist that dominates that market, while the national carriers spread their attention across the whole country. Its dense Southeast network means more lanes run direct, which cuts handling events and delivery time on the routes it serves. The limit is geography: it cannot take a coast-to-coast lane on its own, so use Southeastern for southern freight and pair it with a national carrier for the rest of the map.
What we like- A regional specialist that dominates next-day southern lanes, dense coverage across the Southeast, fewer terminal handoffs on its core lanes
Watch out for- A regional network, so it cannot take a coast-to-coast lane on its own, and shippers outside the Southeast will not find it useful
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship one pallet by LTL?
Shipping one pallet by LTL typically costs $120 to $250 on a mid-distance lane, or $150 to $250 under 250 miles and $350 to $600 cross-country, before surcharges. The Warp LTL Rate Index puts the national average at $607 for a standard 1-pallet shipment of 500 pounds at class 70, with a median of $533. Fuel surcharges of 15 to 25 percent and accessorials such as liftgate service add 15 to 40 percent on top of the base rate.
Which LTL carrier has the lowest claims?
Old Dominion has the lowest cargo-claims ratio in the industry at 0.1 percent, with 99 percent on-time delivery. XPO reports 0.3 percent, and the industry average damage rate is about 1.24 percent. The gap comes from handling: a traditional terminal network moves a pallet through 3 to 5 handling events, while fewer touches mean fewer chances to damage freight.
What is the difference between LTL and FTL?
LTL means less-than-truckload, for freight that does not fill a full trailer, typically 1 to 6 pallets or 150 to 15,000 pounds, priced by weight, freight class and distance. FTL means full truckload, for a whole trailer priced by the mile, at $1.50 to $3.00 per mile for a dry van in 2026. The breakeven is roughly 8 to 12 pallets or 10,000 to 15,000 pounds, above which full truckload usually wins on total cost.
Do LTL carriers charge a fuel surcharge?
Yes, every LTL carrier applies a fuel surcharge on top of the base freight rate, currently 15 to 25 percent of linehaul charges in 2026. Accessorials such as liftgate service, residential delivery, inside delivery and reclassification add further charges, typically 15 to 40 percent on top of the base rate. Ask for the all-in quote in writing, because the base rate is never the invoice.
What happened to Yellow?
Yellow Corporation shut down in July 2023, removing a carrier that held roughly 9 to 10 percent of US LTL market share and employed about 30,000 workers. Its closure tightened capacity across the industry and pushed volume to the remaining carriers on this list. Shippers who used Yellow should re-bid their lanes, because the market that replaced it prices differently.
Sources we checked (13)
- https://feeds.getafreightquote.com/blog/top-10-ltl-carriers-2026
- https://www.wearewarp.com/research/ltl-rate-benchmarks
- https://www.wearewarp.com/best-ltl-carriers
- https://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/43rd_annual_quest_for_quality_ltl
- https://continental-tds.com/insights/posts/ltl-shipping-cost-guide-2026.html
- https://www.odfl.com
- https://www.fedex.com
- https://www.xpo.com
- https://www.estes-express.com
- https://www.saia.com
- https://www.abf.com
- https://www.rlcarriers.com
- https://www.sefl.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.