The price break-even between LTL and dedicated freight is the shipment size at which their comparable quoted totals match. It only answers the cost question. Equipment fit, handling and the arrival requirement must also be satisfied.
Our existing LTL versus full-truckload guide explains the service distinction. This worksheet uses deliberately simplified hypothetical prices to show how to compare two options without treating pallet count as a universal rule.
Start with equivalent scope
Use the same origin, destination, packed units and receiving requirements. Include the relevant fuel and handling charges in both totals. Confirm that both options meet the required service before comparing cost.
A cheaper option that does not meet the receiving requirement is not an equivalent alternative. Mark it as unsuitable for that job rather than allowing the spreadsheet to choose it automatically.
A simple break-even model
Suppose a hypothetical shared-capacity offer is $120 fixed plus $85 per eligible pallet, while an equivalent dedicated offer is $800 for the defined load range. All values are illustrative Canadian dollars before tax, not WTM rates.
Shared total = $120 + $85 × pallet count. Set it equal to $800: ($800 − $120) ÷ $85 = 8 pallets.
| Pallet count | Shared model | Dedicated model |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | $460 | $800 |
| 8 | $800 | $800 |
| 9 | $885 | $800 |
Simplified quote-model comparison
Planning arithmetic only. No rates, carrier classification or loading capacity are certified. Inputs stay in this browser.
JavaScript is off. The formulas and worked examples below remain available.
The calculator uses your entered linear model. Real offers can have minimums, brackets or other conditions, so replace the model with actual quote totals when those apply.
Add the constraints beside the result
Does either offer assume stackability? Are the receiving window and unloading service equivalent? Does the dedicated vehicle fit the packed load? Are any handling or transfer requirements different?
The nine-pallet example does not mean every nine-pallet shipment should be dedicated. Different shapes, weights, lanes and rate structures can change the comparison. The purpose of the worksheet is transparency, not a national threshold.
Test the next decision, not only today's order
For recurring work, compare the sizes that actually occur. An average load can hide small routine orders and occasional peaks. Use a few realistic shipment cases from your records and obtain prices for those cases.
Record which service is appropriate for each case rather than forcing every order into one option. Keep urgent exceptions separate from planned replenishment.
Make the purchasing decision explainable
Store the accepted quote, comparison date and any non-price reason for choosing an option. That helps a colleague understand why you selected exclusive capacity even when it did not have the lowest transport total.
WTM can review LTL and dedicated freight against your actual shipment. Send the packed unit list and required arrival, then use the quoted figures—not this hypothetical example—to make the booking decision.
