Shipping Freight
For 25+ years FreightCenter has made shipping freight easy and affordable. Whatever your shipping needs, FreightCenter has options and solutions for you.
Get Shipping Freight Rates Instantly!
Trust the experts at FreightCenter to give you the best prices and the most options when shipping freight. Whether you’re shipping via truck, train, ship, or plane, FreightCenter manages the entire process. With our vast network of carrier partners, we make shipping easy and affordable, and we pass our discounted freight rates directly to you.
At FreightCenter, you instantly compare real-time freight rates from top freight shipping carriers. Choose the combination of freight shipping services, price, and transit time that meet your needs, and FreightCenter will do the rest.
We provide competitive freight shipping prices and an all-inclusive, easy-to-use shipping experience for our customers. Exceeding our customers’ expectations results in thousands of satisfied customer reviews and repeat business. We believe in the power of our customer relationships. Check out FreightCenter reviews from real customers, and learn what they have to say about their freight shipping experience!
Awards and Endorsements
- 2021, 2017 & 2016 Food Logistics’ Top Green Providers
- 2021 & 2018 Supply & Demand Chain Executives’ Pros to Know: Matthew Brosious
- 2020 & 2019 Top Food Logistics’ 3PL & Cold Storage Provider Award
- 2020 & 2019 Business Observer’s Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast
- 2020 & 2017 SmartWay® Transport Partner
- 2020 & 2017 Food Logistics’ Champions: Rock Stars of the Supply Chain
- 2020 Best of Palm Harbor Awards for Local Businesses
- 2017 Green Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive
- 2017 Tampa Bay Business Journal Heroes at Work
- 2016, 2015, & 2012 Food Logistics Top 100 Software and Technology Providers
- 2013 Tampa Bay Business 100 by Tampa Bay Business Journal
- 2013 Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners by SupplyChainBrain
- 2012 TIA Samaritan Award Honorable Mention
- 2012, 2011 & 2010 TBBJ Fast 50 Recipient
- 2013, 2011, & 2010 Diversity Business Top Businesses
Why Choose FreightCenter?
Since our establishment in 1998, we have understood that every shipment is unique when shipping freight, so we offer diverse shipping methods to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re shipping within the country or across continents, we provide comprehensive solutions tailored to your requirements.
From air freight’s speed and efficiency to sea freight’s cost-effectiveness, we offer a range of options to ensure your cargo arrives safely and on time. Our expertise extends to truckload (TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) services, providing flexibility and reliability for shipments of all sizes. Our commitment to exceptional service doesn’t stop at offering a variety of shipping methods. When you choose FreightCenter, you will benefit from additional services that will enhance your shipping experience.
Our Expedited Freight service is the go-to solution when timing is critical. It offers direct transportation from origin to delivery for the fastest transit times possible. With automated tracking, notifications, and personalized support, we ensure your shipments are monitored every step of the way, delivering on our promise of efficiency and reliability.
When you choose FreightCenter, you get:
- 200 top-tier companies, ensuring you have options to meet your specific shipping needs.
- Instant shipping rates empowering you to make quick and informed decisions.
- Shipping solutions across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to support all your shipping needs.
- Unbeatable shipping discounts for truckload, rail, air, and more, ensuring minimal cost possible.
- Automated tracking, text notifications, and status updates to keep you fully informed.
- Simplified logistics management to keep track of all your shipments.
- A trusted partner with experience since 1998, knowing how to deliver exceptional service and support.
Methods of Shipping Freight via Ground
Most freight is transported via ground freight. The three most common methods of shipping freight via ground methods are:
Truckload (FTL)
Full truckload (FTL) shipping involves dedicating an entire truck to carry one shipment, making it the sole transportation focus. This mode is preferred when the load is too large for less-than-load (LTL) shipping or when shipping high-value or specialty items, such as luxury vehicles. FTL shipments typically utilize flatbed or drop-deck trucks for transportation.
Compared to LTL shipping, FTL is simpler and more direct, resulting in faster delivery times and reduced risk of damage. Since the truck only handles your shipment without additional pickups or drop-offs along the way, there’s less handling involved, making FTL a reliable and efficient choice for transporting goods.
Less-than-Truckload (LTL)
LTL shipping is the most popular mode of shipping in the United States. As the name suggests, LTL shipping is for freight shipments that do not require an entire truck. Instead of one shipper using the truck as a whole, multiple shippers share the same truck, reducing costs for all of them. The most significant benefit of LTL shipping is the price.
There are several processes involved with LTL shipping. Local trucks that deliver these shipments to a terminal or hub pick up freight from each shipper’s location. From there, all cargo is placed on a truck that carries it for the long haul to the destination terminal. The shipments are unloaded, reorganized at the destination terminal, loaded onto local delivery trucks, and sent to the destination location.
Partial Truckload
A partial truckload could be considered a hybrid between LTL and TL shipping. It’s used for six to 18 pallets of freight weighing 8,000-27,000 pounds. The advantages of using partial truckload include faster delivery and a lower price.
The downside to partial truckload service is that it has minimal capacity. Ask your freight agent whether your load should ship as a partial truckload or two LTL shipments.
Truckload Freight Services
We can provide a wide range of equipment through our extensive network of carriers. Here are just some of the types of trucks we have access to:
Dry Van Freight
Dry Van Freight is hauled on a standard enclosed trailer. This is the most common truck for shipping a full or partial truckload. When you think of a dry van, don’t think of a passenger vehicle like a minivan. Think about 15-wheel semis with 53-foot trailers in tow.
Flatbed Freight
Flatbed trucks have trailers with no sides or roofs and are typically used when transporting oversized freight. They ship lumber, cement tubes for utility construction, steel beams, and anything that needs to hang off the trailer bed’s edge.
Refrigerated Freight
Refrigerated trucks are used when your freight shipment requires refrigeration and temperature control. Refrigerated freight usually includes perishables, food, beverages, plants, or any item that requires refrigeration and temperature control.
Drop Deck Fright
Drop decks are designed to transport long loads. This specialized truckload equipment has a lower deck system that rolls onto an upper deck. This type of truck is best when shipping items such as heavy construction piping, stacked wood, flooring, and scaffolding setups.
Specialized Shipping of Freight
Through LTL freight carriers, we can also ship specialized freight, cargo that requires dedicated equipment or special handling:
Tradeshow Shipping
Shipping large trade show exhibits requires special care. We’ll handle all paperwork and scheduling to ensure your trade show display arrives on time and intact.
Heavy Haul Shipping
heavy equipment transportation involves moving extremely large or heavy items that cannot be transported using standard shipping methods. This can include construction equipment, industrial machinery, oversized vehicles, and even entire buildings.
To create value for our customers by delivering customized shipping solutions that meet their unique needs and to fulfill shipping demands from simple to complex with expertise, guidance and ingenuity.
When a freight load is time-sensitive, our Freight Agents will work diligently to ensure you receive the fastest service we can deliver using Expedited Freight services.
A liftgate is located on the back of a freight trailer to enable cargo to be raised from or lowered to the curb when the location does not have a loading dock
Limited access includes any destination or location that restricts trucks from entering. Limited access locations include construction sites, military bases, schools, churches, and government facilities. FreightCenter works with carriers equipped to access such areas.
White glove shipping is a premium service that goes beyond standard delivery, offering meticulous handling, specialized packaging, and in-home setup or installation for valuable or delicate items, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience for customers.
Inside Pickup and delivery is used when the driver must deliver or pick up freight past the curb
Appointment Delivery service ensures your shipments arrive when it's most convenient for you, with a pre verified time window.
With First Mile Freight Services, your freight will be picked up, packaged, and then delivered to its destination.
Final Mile Freight Service (or Last Mile) includes inside delivery and debris removal. If more services are needed, let us know, and we will help you secure those requirements.
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I know if my shipment qualifies as freight?
Generally, shipments weighing over 150 pounds or requiring a pallet or container for transportation are classified as freight.
Q. How are freight shipping costs calculated?
Costs are typically based on factors such as shipment weight, dimensions, freight class, shipping distance, delivery speed, and additional services (e.g., liftgate or residential delivery).
Q. Do I need insurance for my freight shipment?
While many carriers include limited liability coverage, additional freight insurance is recommended for valuable or fragile goods.
Q. What is the difference between curbside and white glove delivery?
Curbside delivery drops off shipments at the nearest curb or driveway, while white glove delivery includes unpacking, assembly, and placing items inside the home or business.
Q. What should I do if my freight shipment is damaged or lost?
File a claim with the carrier as soon as possible, providing documentation such as photos, a detailed description of the damage, and a copy of the bill of lading.
Advantages of Shipping Through FreightCenter
Customizable Shipping Options
Need a liftgate? No problem! Need to ship your products quickly? We got you covered! Our FreightCenter agents can offer you tailored solutions for your specific shipping needs, no matter what kind of small business you are.
25+ Years of Service
We have over 25 years of experience, as evidenced by our large network of professional carriers. Our knowledgeable team of shipping experts is ready to help you optimize your small business for the intricate world of logistics.
Friendly Customer Support
Our customer support team has the answers to many of your shipping questions and concerns. We’re here to help you through every step of the shipping process, from initial inquiries to post-shipment issues.
