UPS LTL Freight Services Review: Pricing and Service Quality

UPS LTL freight (now operated by TForce Freight after the 2021 divestiture) offers reliable less-than-truckload shipping for shipments under full capacity. TForce has kept UPS's legacy network.

Through advanced tracking, the operator has added power to already-impressive transit times on routes spanning the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Supply chain professionals stand to gain from their operational efficiency.

UPS LTL freight increases visibility and flexibility in service options in real time, reducing delays by as much as 15% according to UPS LTL tracking tools.

UPS Freight LTL Services Overview

Serving as the UPS LTL provider, TForce offers regional, interregional, and long-haul LTL quoting, shipping, and tracking options from a single pickup.

While sporting over 13,000 one- and two-day lanes, cross-border service options take three to four days, and technologies for shipping, tracking, and billing improve flexibility, visibility, and control.

Network Coverage

TForce Freight's extensive terminals ensure comprehensive national reach—from all major US cities down to remote areas and cross-border freight to Canada and Mexico.

Their sprawling network aids retail, manufacturing, and 3PLs, minimizing deadhead miles with additional territories:

• Coverage to all 50 U.S. states
• Includes Canada and Mexico (600+ points)
• Service to Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands

TForce Freight uses over 240 terminals. For this reason, freight procurement managers and directors strategizing around supply chain complications are able to enjoy more flexible pickups and optimized metrics in e-commerce or CPG sectors when strategies include LTL freight.

Service Options

Instead of choosing between "UPS LTL" or "UPS Ground with Freight," procurement teams can price multi-package loads over 150 lbs under the LTL rate—accessing the reliable UPS ground network all the same.

Guaranteed transit times from TForce Freight on the UPS Ground network greatly reduce risks for time-sensitive deliveries and protects schedules. 

One partner means cross-border service to Canada, Mexico, and U.S. territories is greatly simplified. By comparison, UPS LTL eases major stressors in the global supply chain. 

Evaluating UPS LTL Pricing and Transit Times

Like many carriers, TForce features advanced tracking, tech integration, and advertises competitive pricing terms. 

While it faces pressure on all sides to raise service performance, quality, and claim incidents—UPS LTL is cost-effective despite slight service trade-offs when contrasted with rates from the most “white-glove” carriers.

UPS LTL vs. Competitors

TForce Freight, compared to others, is a mid-tier national carrier, operating over 240 terminals within the UPS ecosystem for tech-integrated, cross-border service. As such, TForce Freight costs less, on average, than legacy, premium offers like Old Dominion. 

How TForce Freight Stacks Up Against Other National Carriers 

The ultimate comparison, at the national-level, compares UPS LTL to Fedex Freight, the largest LTL carrier in the US. 

Of course, TForce Freight (UPS LTL) commands less lane density and lower volume efficiency. Though, the UPS ecosystem, reach, and cost efficiency of TForce Freight often give UPS LTL rates an advantage over larger and more expensive, legacy carriers. 

Frequently Asked Questions About UPS LTL Shipping

Find out how UPS LTL freight services reflect industry standards, tracking procedures, and pricing averages by getting answers to common questions about TForce Freight, operator of Standard UPS LTL.. 

Does UPS Offer LTL Freight Services?

UPS offers full LTL freight services via TForce Freight. UPS itself, after its divestiture, has actually re-entered the space to provide heavyweight services for 150+ lb. loads as well, under the name UPS Ground with Freight. 

How Do I Track UPS LTL Shipments?

Track your UPS LTL shipments on the move with your TForce number on the TForce website. This will offer checkpoint-level visibility as your shipment reaches each milestone on its path from pickup to procurement, delivery, and fulfillment.

To centralize your tracking process across multiple carriers, ShipperGuide TMS processes this tracking data for transportation managers who want to aggregate all LTL updates alongside other truckload and parcel movements under their purview. 

How Do UPS LTL Rates Compare to Other Carriers?

LTL pricing remains firm, according to most industry data, and TForce Freight (services for UPS LTL Freight) prices shipments in line with national carrier averages. 

More long-standing, “premium” operators charge higher haul rates with the backing of loyalty and legacy of high-performance service.

Discuss LTL Freight Services with a Pro

You don’t need to pull away from existing relationships to optimize traditional and LTL freight, but the right tools will help you connect strategically with the right partners at the right time. Should you take advantage by augmenting service and shipping through UPS LTL freight by TForce? Let’s find out.

ShipperGuide’s integrated TMS can benchmark your current LTL performance, simulate the ideal carrier mix, and automate tasks while tendering, tracking, and rating UPS LTL (as TForce) with a single API workflow. Schedule your demo with our experts.