When you book an FTL shipment, the first question is always: how fast will it get there? The answer depends on distance, driver hours-of-service rules, weather, and whether you need solo or team drivers.
FTL Transit Time Guidelines
Regional (Under 500 Miles)
1–2 days is typical for solo driver FTL. Examples: New Jersey to Pennsylvania, Dallas to Houston, Chicago to Detroit. Same-day and next-day delivery are possible on lanes under 250 miles with early pickup.
Mid-Range (500–1,000 Miles)
2–3 days for solo driver FTL. Examples: New York to Atlanta, Los Angeles to Phoenix, Ohio to Florida. Team drivers can cut this to 1–2 days.
Cross-Country (1,000–2,500+ Miles)
3–5 days solo driver. Examples: California to New York, Washington to Florida, Texas to New Jersey. Team drivers typically deliver in 2–3 days on these lanes.
Factors That Affect FTL Speed
- Hours of Service (HOS): FMCSA limits driving to 11 hours per day after 10 consecutive hours off duty. This is why cross-country moves take multiple days solo.
- Team Drivers: Two drivers alternate driving, keeping the truck moving nearly 24/7. Adds cost but cuts transit roughly in half on long lanes.
- Appointment Requirements: Strict delivery windows at distribution centers can add idle time if the driver arrives early.
- Weather: Winter storms, hurricanes, and mountain pass closures add delay. Experienced brokers reroute proactively.
- Weekend/Holiday Pickups: Saturday pickups may not move until Monday depending on receiver hours.
FTL vs LTL Transit Comparison
| Distance | FTL (Solo) | LTL | |----------|-----------|-----| | 300 miles | 1 day | 2–3 days | | 800 miles | 2 days | 4–5 days | | 1,500 miles | 3 days | 5–7 days | | 2,800 miles | 5 days | 7–10 days |
Need Faster Delivery?
Ask LoadFox about team driver and expedited FTL options for time-critical freight. Request a quote with your required delivery date.