What is the Average Transit Time for LTL Shipments?

Shipping delays appear to be the norm in today's volatile globe. This is especially noticeable in LTL freight. Freight delays can be caused by a variety of circumstances, with LTL bearing the brunt of the burden. 

However, by understanding what is included in the LTL shipping transit time duration, you may acquire a better concept and anticipate the ideal option. In this article, we will discuss the factor that calculates the average transit time for LTL shipment, along with other things you need to know. 

Factors to affect average transit time for LTL shipment

Generally, LTL transit times are measured in days rather than weeks, and cross-country shipments typically take 4 to 6 business days, while 1 to 2 business days is standard for interstate moves. However, some other factors can affect the typical LTL shipment duration. So, here are some of the key factors that can impact LTL transit times:

• Weather: 

Delays and reroutes due to weather can slow the transit time of a shipment.

• Traffic: 

Congestion on the roads can also cause delays.

• Road construction: 

Road construction can cause detours and delays.

• Accidents: 

Accidents on the road can cause traffic backups and delays.

• Hours of Service limits on drivers: 

Federal regulations limit the hours a driver can spend on the road, impacting transit times.

• Number of trucks: 

The number of trucks a carrier has working in a specific lane can influence the speed of load pickups between transit hubs.

• Number of transfers: 

LTL shipments may make several stops and transfers along the way, which can increase transit times.

• Pickup and delivery: 

LTL transit times only reference the long-haul part of the trip, so you will need to add a day for pick-up and delivery.

• Lead time: 

Securing capacity for your LTL shipment can become challenging with shorter lead times, making it essential to plan well in advance. Adequate lead time and early capacity booking significantly affect meeting transit goals.

• Weight of freight: 

The weight of the shipment can impact transit times, as heavier shipments may require more handling and take longer to load and unload.

• International port delays: 

Delays at international ports can influence the duration required for products to move from the port to the warehouse, extending the time in transit of imported products by up to two months.

How Can You Increase the Likelihood Of On-Time Delivery?

Improving LTL shipping delivery time is crucial for maintaining high customer satisfaction rates and keeping customers happy. Here are some tips to increase the likelihood of on-time delivery:

• Establish clear expectations with your production crew to ensure they are aware of crucial milestones such as ready-by and delivery dates. Ensure they understand the repercussions of failing to meet these requirements and that absolute ship dates cannot be changed.

• Communicate your expectations to your warehouse partners to guarantee the merchandise is chosen and packed by the carrier's deadline. If an order is not ready and on the dock, a chain of delays may occur, jeopardizing timely delivery.

• For all retail delivery, use preferred carriers. Some carriers have more experience and are better suited for retail delivery than others.

• Give plenty of notice, especially in the winter or when bad weather is coming. Having a few extra days for travel will give your purchase the necessary flexibility in case of a delay or something else going wrong in transit.

• Set an on-time delivery target and use a scorecard to track performance. Employees should be rewarded when they achieve the target, as team incentives can enhance performance by up to 44%.

• In order to improve on-time delivery, conduct interviews with personnel. The folks performing the work on the ground are the most knowledgeable.

• Collaborate with your suppliers and cultivate good partnerships. Create a rating system for your vendors and track it as a key performance indicator (KPI).

• Create a KPI to track On-Time Delivery and make it accessible to everyone in the organization. Remember that this KPI must assess whether it reaches on time to the customer, not when it ships from your manufacturing plant.

• Celebrate your accomplishments by publicly and verbally applauding your employees for delivering to your clients 100% of the time. Physical awards, whether company bling or tiny monetary tokens, are also beneficial.

What’s Included In An LTL Freight Shipment Quote?

Online LTL freight prices often only account for the long-haul component of the route. You'll also need to factor in a day on either end for pickup and delivery. 

In other words, travel time does not adequately represent the shipping procedure from beginning to end. If the item is shipped near the end of the week, it may be held up over the weekend due to terminal closures.

Bottom Line

Finally, you know the basics of estimated LTL freight transit time. So, keep all the factors in mind. If you are looking for a partner to handle your LTL shipment in the best way possible, Shipit4us is the best choice. They provide a marketplace where you can connect with the carriers and ask for the exact average time for LTL shipments of your parcels.