How to Choose Between FTL vs. Intermodal vs. Air Freight

One of the main ways to optimize your supply chain management comes from how you handle shipment transportation. Understanding how and when to deploy different freight modes will improve your ability to organize cost-effective deliveries, in addition to being more flexible in the event of market volatility. 

Whether you’re making these decisions through manual analysis or with the help of automated supply chain management tools, it’s important to understand each freight mode’s best use case.

This post is going to outline how to choose between full truckload (FTL), intermodal, and air freight. We’ll be covering the advantages and disadvantages of each freight mode. Our goal is to make it easier for you to determine when to deploy a different type of transportation to ensure successful, timely freight transportation.

FTL Compared to Other Freight Modes

The FTL freight transportation market accounts for about 75.4% of the total freight transportation market in the United States. FTL is by far the most commonly deployed freight mode, but that doesn’t mean it’s always being applied optimally, or even correctly.

Let’s look at a FTL comparison chart outlining full truckload against other freight mode selection options.

A quick look at the freight mode comparison table above shows a simplified breakdown that you can use when choosing shipping methods. One thing to note is that each freight mode has an area it excels in. 

When looking at FTL vs. intermodal, intermodal provides lower costs with high carrying capacities but a slower delivery speed. For example, a manufacturer shipping heavy components with flexible delivery windows may use intermodal to cut costs by 10–40%. 

Unlike FTL, air freight is the fastest possible option but comes with a higher price tag and limited capacity. For example, a retailer replenishing inventory after a stockout might use air freight for a small, high-margin SKU to avoid lost sales. In other words, there is almost always a possible scenario where intermodal or air freight are a better choice than full truckload.

Note: Feel free to return to this transportation mode matrix to make quick decisions on when you want to consider different modes.

Use Cases: When FTL is the Best Choice 

When looking at the different freight modes, it becomes clear that there are possible scenarios where intermodal or air freight can be better fits. Business owners can benefit from being more discerning while calculating when to use FTL.

Full truckload benefits include:

• Direct routes
• Capable of transporting heavy loads
• Requires less/limited coordination

FTL is ideal when you need predictable timing, direct routing, and minimal handling risk. It works best for medium-to-heavy freight that must arrive within a defined delivery window. This is likely why it’s the most common transportation mode.

FTL is preferred for regional replenishment routes where products must move the same-day or next-day. Food and beverage shippers often choose FTL for temperature-controlled loads that can’t sit idle in terminals. Meanwhile, industrial freight with awkward dimensions may ship FTL when it doesn’t fit standard intermodal containers.

Decision Criteria for Using FTL

What happens when direct routes are blocked? Or when a shipment has a higher weight than even a full truckload can carry? 

Instead of treating FTL as the default, teams should evaluate each shipment against three criteria: Speed needed, weight and cube, and cost sensitivity.

For example:

• Choose intermodal if rate savings outweigh the longer transit time. If a shipment requires a heavier load than normal but has relaxed time restraints, intermodal freight shipping would reduce your cost and increase your weight capacity.
• Choose air freight if every hour matters and the shipment is low weight or high value. If a low-weight, time-sensitive shipment needs to be delivered as soon as possible, air freight could be used to get a quick turnaround time.

Multi-Modal Strategy: Combining FTL with Other Transportation Methods 

Many shippers combine modes to control costs while protecting service. A hybrid approach is especially useful during disruptions, capacity shortages, or seasonal surges. You can actually deploy a hybrid freight strategy to further improve the flexibility and durability of your supply chain. Through multi-modal shipping you can utilize any combination of the typical freight modes (truck, ship, or air) to ensure that deliveries arrive on time. 

Your supply chain benefits when you plan shipments with an eye toward more than just FTL in your transportation mix. If it’s the most effective strategy, utilize it. But when intermodal shipping, air freight shipping, or even multi-modal shipping prove to be more cost-effective or timely, make use of them instead.

Frequently Asked Questions About FTL vs. Intermodal

FTL shipping is so commonplace that it’s no surprise that there may be hesitation about incorporating other strategies. It’s important to remember that these other freight modes are just considerations. They don’t have to be deployed, though knowing when and how to use them can improve your ability to navigate disruptions in shipping.

When Should I Choose FTL Over Intermodal Transportation?

Choose FTL when you need faster delivery, have a defined delivery window, or cannot risk extra handoffs. It’s also preferred when freight is not heavy enough to justify intermodal’s larger capacity.

What Are the Cost and Transit Time Differences Between FTL and Intermodal?

Intermodal typically costs less but adds 1–4 extra days because of rail terminal stops. FTL is more expensive than intermodal but has shorter, more predictable transit times.

FTL vs. Intermodal: Learn More About Both Today

ShipperGuide helps teams compare freight modes using real-time rates, transit times, and carrier performance data. With fast mode comparison and automated carrier insights, shippers can choose the right transportation method for every shipment. Schedule a demo to see how ShipperGuide supports smarter, faster freight decisions.

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