Full Truckload (FTL) Freight Shipping: Why Choosing Rail is a Smart Option

FTL freight shipping is a cost-effective and efficient way to transport large quantities of goods across the country. When it comes to FTL shipping, road-based services are the most popular choice, but there is a growing trend towards using rail FTL services, which offer several benefits over road freight shipping.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of rail FTL shipping and why it may be the smart choice for you.

FTL industry overview

FTL shipping is a common method of transporting goods, especially for businesses that ship large quantities of cargo in a single shipment.

The majority of FTL shipments are performed by road-based carriers, who use tractor-trailers and other vehicles to carry cargo from one location to another. However, rail FTL services are becoming increasingly popular, especially for businesses that need to transport large quantities of goods over long distances.

Why Rail FTL is Cheaper

One of the key benefits of using rail FTL services is that they are generally cheaper than road-based alternatives. This is because rail transport is more fuel-efficient, and the cost of fuel is a significant component of FTL shipping costs.

Furthermore, rail-based FTL services offer economies of scale, which means that the cost per unit of cargo decreases as the amount of cargo increases. This makes rail FTL a more cost-effective solution if you’re moving meaningful amounts of freight.

Rail FTL is Direct

Another advantage of rail FTL is that it is a direct form of transportation. This means that cargo is transported directly from the source to the destination, without the need for intermediate stops or transfers.

This results in a faster transit time and reduces the risk of damage to the goods during transit. 

On top of that, rail FTL is generally more reliable than road-based FTL, as it is less susceptible to road closures, traffic congestion, and other factors that can impact delivery times.

Rail FTL is Better for the Environment

In addition to being cheaper and more direct, rail FTL is also better for the environment than road-based FTL. As we mentioned, rail transport is more fuel-efficient, resulting in much lower emissions per tonne shipped. Again, rail shipping tends to be less congested than road transport, which means that there is less risk of idle engine work that can contribute to emissions.

As a result, businesses that choose rail FTL can reduce their emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future.

To help with that, we’ve worked with SmartWay to implement an emissions badge on our website which allows you to track your emissions reduction per shipment whenever you choose your carrier. 

To round up

FTL freight shipping is an important aspect of the transportation industry, and choosing the right carrier is essential to ensuring that your cargo arrives at its destination on time and in good condition.

While road-based FTL services are still the most common, there is a growing trend towards using rail FTL freight, which offers several benefits, including lower costs, faster transit times, and reduced carbon emissions.

If you’re looking to save money and reduce your impact on the environment, consider using Freightera’s rail FTL freight for your next shipment.