In this blog, we compare carriers’ large package services to help you choose the most cost-effective option. So, whether you want to find the cheapest way to ship boxes to another state or just locally, you will be well-informed after reading this article.
Since small parcel shipping includes packages that weigh 1-70 lbs, and large packages weigh 71-150 lbs, we can say very heavy packages are the ones that weigh over 150 pounds. This category of packages also includes shipments known as freight.
There are several ways to send freight shipments and large parcels, including standard freight services, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), and Full Truckload (FTL). Each of these is highlighted below.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipping is a cost-effective way of sending large packages or a large number of palletized packages.
Essentially, LTL shipping is a method of freight transportation where diverse cargo from various senders is combined and loaded onto a single truck. This method is commonly used for moderate-sized shipments that do not require a full truckload but are too large for traditional parcel carriers.
LTL shipping is beneficial in that it saves the customer the cost of hiring a full truck, increases the efficiency of the carrier’s operations, and also protects the environment since fewer trips are made for the same number of packages.
While there are no strict weight or size limits, LTL shipments typically range from 150 pounds to 20,000 pounds (68 kg to 9,072 kg).
To meet the LTL (Less Than Truckload) requirements set by FedEx, a shipment must meet the following criteria:
If your shipment exceeds 15,000 pounds (6,803 kg), you’ll need to contact the FedEx Freight Solutions Team to make special arrangements.
UPS categorizes LTL shipments as palletized freight that weighs over 150 pounds.
However, if you're shipping a collection of packages weighing over 151 pounds that are not palletized, UPS Ground with Freight Pricing might be a more cost-effective option compared to LTL.
Visit the FedEx LTL rates calculator and UPS Freight calculator to get estimates for your Less Than Truckload shipment.
Unlike LTL, where a shipment only occupies a portion of the trailer space, Full Truckload (FTL) shipping is when a shipment from a single shipper fills the entire truck's capacity.
FTL provides increased security and minimizes the risk of damage or loss during transit. FTL shipments also tend to have faster transit times since there is no need for multiple stops to pick up or drop off other cargo. These benefits can help improve a company's efficiency, making FTL a cost-effective freight delivery option.
| Zones |
|||||||
| 102 |
103 |
104 |
105 |
106 |
107 |
108 |
|
| (Guaranteed Service) |
$1.61 |
$2.65 |
$4.83 |
$6.81 |
$6.99 |
$8.81 |
$9.63 |
| (Non-Guaranteed Service) |
$1.57 |
$2.51 |
$4.55 |
$6.44 |
$6.61 |
$8.34 |
$9.12 |
| Zones |
|||||||
| 202 |
203 |
204 |
205 |
206 |
207 |
208 |
|
| (Guaranteed Service) |
$1.58 |
$2.60 |
$3.34 |
$3.49 |
$5.19 |
$6.94 |
$8.15 |
| (Non-Guaranteed Service) |
$1.48 |
$2.46 |
$3.10 |
$3.25 |
$4.85 |
$6.51 |
$7.64 |
| Zones |
|||||||
| 302 |
303 |
304 |
305 |
306 |
307 |
308 |
|
| Cost to ship 300 lbs (Guaranteed Service) |
$1.45 |
$2.50 |
$3.07 |
$3.35 |
$4.78 |
$5.99 |
$6.93 |
| Cost to ship 300 lbs (Non-Guaranteed Service) |
$1.35 |
$2.35 |
$2.89 |
$3.15 |
$4.52 |
$5.65 |
$6.54 |
| Zones |
|||||||
| 2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|
| FedEx First Overnight Freight |
$2.41 |
$4.17 |
$7.45 |
$10.47 |
$10.72 |
$13.59 |
$14.90 |
| FedEx 1Day Freight |
$1.72 |
$2.98 |
$5.32 |
$7.48 |
$7.66 |
$9.71 |
$10.64 |
| FedEx 2Day Freight |
$1.64 |
$2.72 |
$3.60 |
$3.72 |
$5.56 |
$7.64 |
$8.82 |
| FedEx 3Day Freight |
$1.59 |
$2.66 |
$3.50 |
$3.64 |
$5.33 |
$6.92 |
$8.02 |
If you compare the UPS and FedEx services above, you will find that UPS freight services are cheaper than FedEx’s. For instance:
| UPS Service |
|||||||
| Weight |
UPS Next Day Air Early |
UPS Next Day Air |
UPS Next Day Air Saver |
UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. |
UPS 2nd Day Air |
UPS 3-Day Select |
UPS Ground |
| 71–80 pounds |
$225.24–$911.94 |
$195.24–$899.58 |
$177.58–$730.30 |
$133.56–$691.56 |
$121.38–$589.29 |
$83.23–$415.25 |
$29.40–$460.46 |
| 81–90 pounds |
$259.67–$976.86 |
$229.67–$965.81 |
$203.13–$868.77 |
$148.33–$759.97 |
$134.12–$634.44 |
$95.48–$461.99 |
$39.94–$504.27 |
| 91–100 pounds |
$281.73–$1,173.45 |
$251.73–$1,167.21 |
$231.60–$992.83 |
$166.10–$874.49 |
$151.22–$760.59 |
$110.01–$551.12 |
$90.02–$550.71 |
| 101–110 pounds |
$301.15–$1,287.81 |
$271.15–$1,283.95 |
$255.76–$1,092.12 |
$186.58–$961.94 |
$165.37–$836.39 |
$120.19–$606.93 |
$64.23–$601.03 |
| 111–120 pounds |
$328.01–$1,402.15 |
$298.01–$1,400.67 |
$281.08–$1,191.41 |
$205.04–$1,049.39 |
$181.74–$912.19 |
$132.65–$661.98 |
$72.54–$665.82 |
| 121–130 pounds |
$354.84–$1,514.30 |
$324.84–$1,517.40 |
$306.41–$1,290.69 |
$223.53–$1,136.83 |
$198.12–$987.99 |
$146.37 –$717.23 |
$81.78–$721.64 |
| 131–140 pounds |
$381.00–$1,628.48 |
$351.00–$1,634.11 |
$331.73–$1,389.97 |
$241.99–$1,224.28 |
$214.49–$1,063.79 |
$159.22–$770.19 |
$88.21–$784.68 |
| 141–150 pounds |
$420.25–$1,742.67 |
$378.52–$1,750.83 |
$357.04–$1,489.25 |
$260.47–$1,311.73 |
$230.87–$1,139.60 |
$173.39–$827.47 |
$97.33–$856.00 |
| FedEx Service |
|||||||
| Weight |
FedEx First Overnight |
FedEx Priority Overnight |
FedEx Standard Overnight |
FedEx 2Day A.M. |
FedEx 2Day |
FedEx Express Saver |
FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery |
| 71–80 pounds |
$68.04–$199.53 |
$37.04–$168.53 |
$33.87–$165.22 |
$25.37–$127.21 |
$22.59–$106.40 |
$21.03–$91.63 |
$10.10–$22.40 |
| 81–90 pounds |
$93.53–$280.16 |
$62.53–$ 249.16 |
$55.08–$241.82 |
$36.28–$ 206.09 |
$33.06–$176.30 |
$32.41–$149.10 |
$14.17–$36.17 |
| 91–100 pounds |
$109.85–$367.87 |
$78.85–$ 336.87 |
$73.68–$319.81 |
$57.43–$276.22 |
$49.83–$243.54 |
$45.48–$205.05 |
$16.80–$51.83 |
| 101–110 pounds |
$128.73–$435.45 |
$97.73–$404.45 |
$92.11–$387.40 |
$74.31–$ 362.84 |
$63.05–$312.64 |
$61.81–$ 259.57 |
$20.29–$63.95 |
| 111–120 pounds |
$149.28–$510.78 |
$118.28–$479.78 |
$112.52–$462.75 |
$94.83–$ 438.26 |
$82.33–$359.69 |
$79.96–$308.02 |
$23.15–$74.72 |
| 121–130 pounds |
$185.48–$613.46 |
$154.48–$582.46 |
$133.04–$565.44 |
$114.67–$522.93 |
$93.47–$424.98 |
$91.63–$373.06 |
$24.85–$81.11 |
| 131–140 pounds |
$214.21–$698.31 |
$183.21–$667.31 |
$151.33–$650.28 |
$133.01–$602.70 |
$108.74–$479.00 |
$104.68–$436.39 |
$26.09–$85.57 |
| 141–150 pounds |
$185.48–$613.46 |
$154.48–$582.46 |
$133.04–$565.44 |
$114.67–$522.93 |
$93.47–$424.98 |
$91.63–$373.06 |
$24.85–$81.11 |
Standard shipping options can still offer cost-effective solutions when looking for an affordable way to send a 150-pound package. Ground shipping is often the cheapest (and slowest) way to ship a heavy package.
The service you choose to ship packages depends on your priority: speed or low costs. For example, a boutique owner looking for the cheapest way to ship a large box of clothes will opt for ground shipping since the goods are not urgent. On the other hand, a large shipment of medicine is probably more time-sensitive and will require a faster service like 2 Day shipping.
| UPS Service |
|||||||
| Weight |
UPS Next Day Air Early |
UPS Next Day Air |
UPS Next Day Air Saver |
UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. |
UPS 2nd Day Air |
UPS 3-Day Select |
UPS Ground |
| 150 Pounds |
$432.68–$1,742.67 |
$402.68–$1,750.83 |
$379.83–$1,489.25 |
$277.11–$1,311.73 |
$245.60–$1,139.60 |
$184.65–$827.47 |
$102.64–$856.00 |
| FedEx Service |
|||||||
| Weight |
FedEx First Overnight |
FedEx Priority Overnight |
FedEx Standard Overnight |
FedEx 2Day A.M. |
FedEx 2Day |
FedEx Express Saver |
FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery |
| 150 Pounds |
$445.50–$1,594.50 |
$399.00–$1,548.00 |
$390.00–$1,474.50 |
$319.50–$1,309.50 |
$258.00–$1,104.00 |
$244.50–$940.50 |
$102.64–$152.56 |
At ShipSigma, we understand the importance of finding a cheaper way to ship large packages. Leveraging our best-in-class technology, backed by over $1 billion in live market data, we have successfully saved our customers over $100M in shipping costs.
With a team boasting over 250 years of combined shipping industry experience, ShipSigma is your trusted partner for contract analysis and negotiations. Contact us today to get started lowering the cost of shipping heavy packages.