When you need goods moved by road, one of the first decisions is whether to book a full load or a part load. Both are sensible choices, but for different shipments. This guide explains the difference and helps you work out which gives you the best balance of cost and speed.
What is a full load (FTL)?
A full truck load, or FTL, means you hire the whole vehicle for your goods alone. The lorry collects your consignment and takes it straight to the destination by the most direct route, with no other deliveries along the way. You are paying for the entire trailer whether you fill it or not.
What is a part load (groupage)?
A part load, sometimes called groupage or less-than-truckload, means your goods share trailer space with other customers’ consignments heading the same way. You pay only for the space you use, whether that is a couple of pallets or half a trailer. Because the lorry makes several collections and drops, the route is less direct.
The key differences
| Full load (FTL) | Part load (groupage) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Pay for whole vehicle | Pay only for space used |
| Speed | Direct, fastest | Slower, multiple stops |
| Handling | Loaded once, unloaded once | More handling at each stop |
| Best for | Large, urgent or fragile loads | Smaller, less urgent shipments |
Cost: where each wins
For a small consignment, a part load is almost always cheaper because you split the cost of the trailer with other shippers. As your shipment grows, the maths shifts. For most UK domestic runs the break-even point sits somewhere around 10 to 15 standard pallets. Below roughly 10 pallets, groupage usually wins on price; above about 15, a full load is often both cheaper per pallet and faster.
For reference, a standard 13.6m articulated trailer holds 26 UK pallets in a single layer, with a payload of roughly 26 tonnes.
Speed and handling
A full load is the quicker option because the lorry drives straight to you with no detours. A part load takes longer, as the vehicle consolidates and drops other consignments en route. The extra loading and unloading also means slightly more handling, so for fragile or high-value goods a full load reduces the risk of damage.
When to choose each
Choose a full load if: you have a large shipment (around 15 pallets or more), the delivery is time-sensitive, or the goods are fragile, high-value or awkward to handle repeatedly.
Choose a part load if: you have just a few pallets, the timing is flexible, and keeping cost down matters more than the fastest possible transit.
A few things that affect the decision
Beyond pallet count, a couple of practical points can tip the balance. If your goods are tall, heavy or oddly shaped, they may take up more trailer space than their pallet footprint suggests, which pushes a part load towards full-load pricing. Time-sensitive deliveries also favour a full load, because you are not waiting for the vehicle to consolidate other consignments. And if your goods need to stay upright, can’t be stacked, or are sensitive to handling, the single load-and-unload of a full load reduces risk.
What counts as a pallet?
Because pricing often hinges on pallet numbers, it helps to know the common sizes. A standard UK pallet measures 1200 x 1000mm, while a Euro pallet is 1200 x 800mm. Hauliers also talk about “light” and “heavy” pallets, and quarter, half and full pallet spaces, which describe how much trailer footprint your goods take up. If your items are loose rather than palletised, it is usually cheaper and safer to have them on pallets before collection, as it speeds up loading and protects the goods in transit.
Dedicated and part loads in practice
A full load is sometimes called a “dedicated” load, because the vehicle is dedicated to you alone and goes door to door. That predictability is valuable when you need a guaranteed delivery window. Part loads, by contrast, trade a little flexibility for a lower price – your goods travel when the route makes sense for everyone sharing the trailer. For regular shippers, a mix of both often works best: full loads for the big, urgent jobs and part loads to move smaller quantities economically in between.
Still weighing it up?
Often the simplest approach is to tell a haulier what you are moving and let them recommend the most cost-effective option. Northampton Road Haulage handles both full and part loads across the UK. Call 01604 385213 and we will help you choose the right one for your consignment.