Topic summary
Less than truckload
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Less-than-truckload shipping.
LTL operations vs. FTL operations
Less than truckload carriers use "hub and spoke" operations where linehauls or truck routes are the spokes, and service terminals for each carrier are the hubs (also called distribution centers or DCs). Terminals collect local freight from the various shippers they work with in an area and use the hub to consolidate the freight into regions or areas where those shipments are destined to be delivered. Because of the efficiency of this order of operations, most deliveries are performed in the morning and most pickups are made in the afternoon.