Groupage vs Part-Load vs Full-Load: Choosing the Right Road Freight Service

Most shippers default to whatever service their forwarder offered first. That works, but it leaves money — and sometimes days of transit time — on the table. The right choice between groupage, part-load and full-load (FTL) depends on volume, urgency and how much control you need over the trailer.

Groupage — pay for the space you use

Groupage means your shipment shares a trailer with consignments from other shippers. You pay per linear metre or per cubic metre, whichever is greater. Pricing is typically the most economical per unit of volume for shipments below 6 pallets or 8 cubic metres.

Choose groupage when:

You have between 1 and 6 standard pallets
Cost matters more than the absolute fastest transit time
You can wait for the consolidation cycle (usually weekly)
Your goods do not require dedicated equipment (temperature, hazardous, etc.)

Trade-offs:

Extra handling at the consolidation point (origin) and devanning (destination)
Slightly longer total transit because of the consolidation cycle
Less predictable than a dedicated vehicle in the rare case of trailer issues

Part-load — between groupage and full load

Part-load (sometimes called LTL — less than truckload) sits in the middle. You take a defined portion of the trailer — say, half a trailer or 13 to 16 pallets — and the carrier fills the rest with one or two other consignments. Pricing is calculated per portion rather than per pallet.

Choose part-load when:

You have between 7 and 16 standard pallets
You need faster transit than groupage offers
You want less handling than full groupage

Trade-offs:

Per-unit cost sits between groupage and FTL
Still some consolidation, but usually with one or two other shippers, not many

Full-load (FTL) — the whole trailer

FTL means the trailer carries only your consignment. It picks up at one origin, drives directly, and delivers at one destination. No consolidation, no devanning, no shared handling.

Choose FTL when:

You have 16+ standard pallets or a high-value consignment
Urgency matters — FTL is the fastest road option
You need temperature control or other dedicated equipment
Your shipment is sensitive to handling (machinery, fragile electronics)
The customer is large enough to receive a full trailer in one drop

Trade-offs:

Higher absolute cost (though often cheaper per pallet at high volumes)
You pay for any empty space in the trailer
Booking lead time may be longer in peak season

A simple decision matrix

| Volume | Service | Typical Transit |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 pallets | Groupage | 8-12 days |
| 7-16 pallets | Part-load | 7-10 days |
| 17+ pallets / dedicated | FTL | 6-8 days |
| 1-3 boxes, urgent | Speedy van | 4-6 days |

When to override the default choice

There are three situations where the volume-based decision matrix should be overridden:

Time-critical — if missing a deadline costs more than a trailer upgrade, switch to FTL or speedy van regardless of pallet count
Sensitive cargo — if devanning at consolidation risks damage, go straight to FTL
High-value — if the cargo is worth more than the trailer differential, the security and reduced handling of FTL is worth the premium

We help customers benchmark cost-per-trade over a year of shipments rather than per individual consignment, which often shifts the optimal service mix. If you would like a review of your current freight spend between Turkey and the UK, send us your shipment history through the contact form.