Partial Truckload Logistics Services

Safely Move Mid-Sized Loads Across America with Faster Delivery Times & Simpler Pricing

Loads that don't fill a 53' trailer still deserve fast, reliable, and damage-free delivery, yet traditional LTL often comes with complex pricing, multiple transfers, and product getting moved with other loads, which can introduce undesirable complexities and risks.

Especially for freight traveling over 500 miles, partial truckloads offer a more direct, better-protected, and often more cost-effective path.

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4-5 pallet minimum
4,000-5,000 lb minimum
Dry van & flatbed options
Lower 48 states + Parts of Canada

What is partial truckload shipping?

Partial truckload occupies the middle ground between FTL and LTL. It's the right choice when your load is substantial—typically four or more pallets, or 4,000 pounds and above—but doesn't fill a 53-foot trailer on its own.

In practice, your freight shares space on a trailer with one or two other compatible shipments headed in the same general direction. It gets loaded at pickup and largely stays put until it reaches your receiver, with fewer terminal transfers and less rehandling in between.

That's a meaningful contrast to how traditional LTL works. Under the hub-and-spoke model, your freight passes through an origin terminal, gets sorted and reloaded onto a line haul trailer, moves to a destination terminal, gets sorted again, and finally goes out for delivery. Each transfer is another opportunity for damage, delay, or loss.

Partial truckload typically cuts touches down—often to as few as two—on and off. This is why damage rates are substantially lower, and delivery times are often faster.

Should you choose LTL or partial?

Traditional LTL

Best for small shipments that aren't fragile or time-sensitive traveling a short distance

  • Multiple touchpoints, leading to higher risk of damage
  • Tracking complicated by other clients' freight
  • Unpredictable pricing based on freight class, weight, and dimension
  • Prone to longer transit times due to more stops
  • Best for small shipments under 5,000 lbs or 6 pallets
  • Most cost-effective for shipments traveling under 500 miles
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Partial Truckload

Best for mid-sized, fragile, time-sensitive, & long-haul shipments

  • Fewer touchpoints & lower risk of damage
  • Streamlined tracking
  • Clear, upfront pricing based on space used
  • Shorter transit times due to fewer stops
  • Best for medium shipments of 5,000+ lbs or over 6 pallets and fragile goods
  • Most cost effective for shipments traveling 500+ miles

Streamline your freight management with our comprehensive North American brokerage network

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Most logistics providers make freight management harder by splitting services across multiple vendors. A single, reliable logistics partner who understands your operation and has the carrier network to move your freight smoothly from origin to destination can simplify this process.

Fall River Express, Badger Logistics' brokerage, manages tens of thousands of shipments every year for customers across the U.S. and Canada. Our strength is our integrated model: We combine our asset-based trucking (Badger Express), warehousing (Badger Warehouse), and brokerage services to build solutions around your operation—not the other way around. When you need precise, reliable logistics to move freight efficiently and keep your team focused on production, talk with us.

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Gold Book-rated credit score

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Access to network of 15,000+ vetted carriers

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Regional options throughout the Midwest, typically within 700 miles

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Over-the-road services available for longer distances, ideal for cost savings on larger LTL alternatives

Our partial shipping service bridges the gap between traditional LTL and full truckload, offering a more efficient solution for mid-sized shipments. We've seen customers significantly reduce their shipping costs and improve transit times by switching from LTL to our partial load service, especially for longer hauls over 500 miles. It's not just about moving freight; it's about providing a smarter, more cost-effective logistics solution tailored to each client's specific needs."

Drew Kirkman
Drew Kirkman

Director of Brokerage Operations and Sales

Badger Logistics

Local, regional, and over-the-road service

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Partial shipping options

Dry van partials

Businesses making smaller, frequent shipments can take advantage of our asset-based fleet of dry vans as well as our broader network of carriers. Ideal for packaged goods (including food-grade products), and general freight.

Flatbed partials

Flatbed partial shipments are suitable for large or irregularly shaped loads that do not fill an entire flatbed trailer. We offer flexible solutions to accommodate various cargo types and sizes, ensuring efficient and secure transportation. This includes access to specialized trailers like step decks, RGNs, Conestogas, and hotshots.

Personalized service
  • Single point of contact for all your needs
  • Regular shipment status updates at a custom communication frequency
  • Clear pricing and invoicing
  • Tailored, consistent shipping instructions
People powered, tech supported
  • Support from account managers with an average of 20 years of experience
  • McLeod TMS and Samsara dispatch, routing, and tracking of asset-based fleet
  • Informed carrier selection
  • Proactive communication and issue resolution
Scrupulously vetted carrier network
  • Access to over 15,000 carriers
  • Rigorous safety and compliance standards: 1-year operating history minimum, no double brokering reports, high safety score, and proper insurance coverage
  • Each shipment insured up to $100,000
  • Monitored driver performance
  • Multiple resources used for FMCSA score verification
Flexible integration with your operations
  • Clean integration with existing processes
  • Scalable solutions for varying volume and seasonal shipping needs
  • Regular and project-based shipment options
  • Food-grade warehousing service integration available

Join hundreds of satisfied shippers

Badger is certainly a carrier that we can trust to be there on time, and if there is something that they find that doesn't seem right, they will reach out. They're much more transparent than a lot of other carriers: willing to share their struggles, willing to listen to ours, and just be a good partner.

— BM, Wisconsin-Based Contract Furniture Company

Success story

Delivering Valuable Equipment Under Pressure For Watertronics

Watertronics needed complex logistics and rapid yet precise shipping for its specialized industrial water equipment, often valued at $250,000 and $1,000,000 per system. To address these challenges, Badger Logistics provided a specialized carrier network, detailed communication framework, and hands-on account management. The results: 3–5 weekly, damage-free shipments; proactive communication that keeps all parties up-to-date (directly improving Watertronic's ability to grow sales); and consistent, on-time deliveries.

Read the full success story

FAQs

What's the minimum size for a partial shipment?

We handle partials of 4-5 pallets or 4,000 lbs and up. Shipments smaller than this (unless they are extremely fragile) might be better suited to traditional LTL.

Why is partial shipping a better alternative to traditional LTL?

LTL works well for small shipments, but partial truckload is often the better choice for mid-sized freight. For loads of about 4–5+ pallets or 4,000–5,000+ lbs, especially on hauls over 500 miles, partial freight helps you tighten up your logistics, lower costs, improve transit times, and add protection to reduce the risk of freight damage.

What types of shipments can you handle?

We offer partial truckload services with dry van and flatbed options. Industries we serve include food and beverage, paper and packaging, manufacturing, construction, and plastics.

Is partial shipping available for long-distance routes?

Yes. We provide partial truckload service throughout the lower 48 states and parts if Canada, including long-haul lanes where you can see substantial savings compared to traditional LTL.

Do you have your own trucks, too?

Yes. We provide both asset-based trucking through our own fleet and freight brokerage services. This combined model gives you flexible capacity and a wider range of options to cover more of your shipping needs with one trusted partner.

What areas do you service with brokerage?

The 48 contiguous states and parts of Canada.

What types of shipments can you handle?

We move almost any type of freight—from standard truckloads to specialized moves. Our brokerage network covers dry van, reefer, flatbed, intermodal, and partial shipments, as well as oversized and heavy-haul freight. We also handle shipments that need specialized equipment, including step decks, Conestogas, RGNs, double drops, and multi-axle trailers. Meanwhile, our asset-based fleet offers dry van services.

How do you handle seasonal shipping fluctuations?

Our integrated mix of asset-based trucks and brokerage capacity lets us quickly scale up or down with your seasonal demand. We can also shift equipment as needed—for example, moving your freight from dry van to reefer to protect temperature-sensitive product.

How do you manage urgent or time-sensitive shipments?

A dedicated team for time-critical shipments handles them from start to finish. Backed by our 15,000+ carrier network and advanced TMS, we quickly secure the right equipment and design the most efficient route to keep your urgent deliveries on schedule.

What makes Fall River Express different from other brokers?

Our approach combines a personal touch of a smaller company with the capabilities of a large-scale operation. We focus on building long-term relationships, and offer a unique blend of asset-based and brokerage services.

Talk to us

Drop us a line for information about our partial truckload logistics services or to get a competitive rate quote. We’ll be in touch within one business day.

Have a freight project? Get a rate quote Prefer to call? (920) 484-5920