FTL vs LTL: Which Is Cheaper in European Road Freight?
FTL costs EUR 1,800-2,200 per truck, cheaper above 6-7 LDM. LTL groupage at EUR 165-195 per LDM wins below that threshold. Five-factor comparison.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
FTL (full truckload) is cheaper per shipment above roughly 6-7 LDM (15-18 EUR pallets), because you pay a fixed truck rate rather than per-LDM. Below that, LTL groupage costs less - you share the trailer and pay only for your space. The crossover sits at about half a standard 13.6-metre trailer on most European lanes.
What do FTL and LTL mean in European road freight?
FTL means you book an entire curtainsider truck for your cargo alone. You pay a flat rate regardless of how full it is, and the truck runs direct from origin to destination. On core European lanes, FTL rates in 2025-2026 run approximately EUR 1,800-2,200 per truck for a Spain-to-Germany corridor and EUR 1.05-1.28 per km on comparable long-haul routes, according to Trans-road's European rate benchmark .
LTL (less than truckload), called groupage in European road freight, means your cargo shares trailer space with other shippers. You pay only for the space you occupy, measured in loading metres. Standard groupage rates on European cross-border lanes sit at approximately EUR 165-195 per LDM, making a single EUR pallet (0.4 LDM) cost roughly EUR 66-78 on a 1,700 km haul. Eurosender's service comparison covers both models for European shippers.
When does FTL become cheaper than groupage?
The cost crossover happens at roughly 6-7 LDM - equivalent to 15-18 EUR pallets, or about half a standard trailer. Below that threshold, groupage is cheaper because you share costs with other shippers. Above it, the per-LDM groupage rate multiplied by your cargo volume exceeds the flat FTL price.
Use a TMS platform to model your load against current lane rates before committing to either mode. You can also cut FTL costs by checking diesel surcharges across corridors with the EU fuel price map before confirming a route.
| Rate basis | Fixed price per truck | EUR 165-195 per LDM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost sweet spot | 7+ LDM / full truck | Under 6-7 LDM |
| Transit speed | Direct, fastest option | 1-3 extra days |
| Damage risk | Low (single-shipper load) | Moderate (multiple handling points) |
| Booking lead time | 24-48 hours minimum | Can book shorter notice |
For time-sensitive or high-value cargo, FTL also avoids the consolidation hubs that groupage shipments pass through, which is where most transit delays and handling damage occur. If you run both modes, GPS tracking across full-truck and groupage consignments on one dashboard removes the need to chase multiple carriers for ETAs.
Frequently asked questions
Is groupage the same as LTL freight?
Yes. In European road freight the terms are interchangeable. Groupage is the continental term used by European hauliers and forwarders; LTL comes from North American logistics. Both mean a shipment that does not fill a trailer and shares space with other cargo.
How many pallets does it take to fill a full truckload?
A standard European curtainsider trailer holds 13.6 LDM. Each EUR pallet (1.2 m x 0.8 m) occupies 0.4 LDM, so a full truck takes up to 33-34 EUR pallets in a single layer. Weight limits (typically 24,000 kg payload) often cap the actual count before the volume limit is reached.
Is FTL faster than LTL in Europe?
Generally yes. FTL runs direct from collection to delivery. A groupage shipment passes through one or two consolidation hubs and makes multiple stops, typically adding one to three transit days on long-haul European corridors.
Can I mix FTL and LTL on the same transport plan?
Yes. Many European shippers use FTL for high-volume or time-critical lanes and groupage for smaller flows to the same markets. A TMS platform can split a purchase order across both modes when volumes justify it.
Compare your lane volumes and get a freight quote to find the exact crossover point for your corridors and cargo weights.
