Skip to content

Truck Transport – FTL, LTL and Groupage Across Europe

Truck transport is the backbone of European freight traffic – from part load (LTL) through groupage to full truckload (FTL) with up to 33 pallets. Which variant suits depends on quantity, deadline and budget: FTL runs directly, LTL and groupage share the load space and are cheaper per pallet.

Aerial view of a truck fleet in a depot yard

Truck transport is the backbone of European freight traffic – from part load (LTL) through groupage to full truckload (FTL) with up to 33 pallets. Which variant is right for you depends on quantity, deadline and budget: FTL runs directly and quickly, LTL and groupage share the load space and are cheaper per pallet.

Speed Logistics dispatches truck transports across Europe and to non-EU countries – with vehicles from the van (3.5 t) to the 40 t articulated truck, personal, multilingual dispatch around the clock and a fixed-price quote within a few hours. On direct runs, your goods stay in the same vehicle without reloading.

FTL, LTL or groupage – what suits your shipment?

  • FTL (Full Truck Load): an exclusive vehicle for your load, a direct route, the shortest transit time – ideal from around 15 pallets or with deadline-bound deliveries.
  • LTL (Less than Truck Load): a part load in a combined vehicle – economical for medium quantities with a plannable time window.
  • Groupage: single pallets via scheduled services – the cheapest option when two to four days of transit are acceptable.

On the road in legal compliance: cabotage and Mobility Package

International truck traffic is subject to the EU cabotage rules (a maximum of three domestic runs within seven days after a cross-border unloading) and the driving and rest-time requirements of the EU Mobility Package. We plan routes and driver changes in a rule-compliant way from the outset – for especially time-critical long hauls also with a two-driver crew, so that the vehicle rolls continuously within the legal limits.

Process and transparency

After your enquiry with the lane, quantity and date, you receive a non-binding fixed-price quote within a few hours. After your approval, we dispatch the vehicle, confirm the loading and unloading time windows and keep you up to date via GPS tracking and status reports – through to the signed proof of delivery. Depending on volume and EU corridor, the non-binding guide price for a truck transport is around €499–2,999.

Europe and non-EU from one hand

Besides all EU lanes – such as France, Italy, Poland or Scandinavia – we run truck transports to Türkiye, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. The complete customs clearance from EXW to DDP we take over including the export declaration and border formalities, so that you do not have to organise the main and onward run separately.

Equipment and load securing

Depending on the goods, we dispatch the appropriate equipment: curtain-sided trailers with side loading for standard pallets, vehicles with a tail lift and pallet truck for consignees without a ramp, load securing with lashing straps, anti-slip mats and edge protection to VDI 2700. Special requirements – such as stackable goods, hanging loading or reinforced securing for machine parts – we record with the enquiry and select the vehicle accordingly.

At loading, the driver checks the number of pieces and the external condition of the goods and signs off the takeover on the consignment note. The liability chain is thereby cleanly documented – from the loading location through any border crossings to delivery at the consignee, where the signed document completes your delivery.

Whether recurring scheduled services or a one-off project load: for every enquiry you receive a binding fixed-price quote within a few hours – and with personal dispatch, a contact who knows your lane, your consignees and your special features.

FTL, LTL and groupage compared
CriterionFull truckload (FTL)Part load (LTL)Groupage
Quantitywhole truck / from ~15 pallets~4–7 LDM / from ~2.5 tsingle pallets / from 30 kg
Transhipmentnone (direct)usually nonehub transhipment (cross-docking)
Transit time EUshortest, directshort, some leeway2–4 working days
Pricing logicfixed price per vehicleshare of the load spacefixed price per pallet
Suitabilitydeadline/damage-criticalmedium quantitiessmall regular shipments

Frequently asked questions: Truck Transport

What is the difference between FTL and LTL?

FTL (Full Truck Load) means that a truck runs exclusively for your load – directly, without intermediate stops, with the shortest transit time. With LTL (Less than Truck Load), several shippers share the load space; this lowers the costs per pallet but lengthens the transit time through additional loading and unloading stops.

What does a truck transport within Europe cost?

The price depends on volume, corridor and lead time. Depending on the lane, the non-binding guide price is around €499–2,999 – a single groupage pallet costs considerably less than a full truckload. Speed Logistics gives you a binding fixed price for your specific shipment within a few hours.

Which vehicle sizes are available for truck transports?

Speed Logistics dispatches the full range: vans up to 3.5 t for urgent shipments, 7.5 and 12-tonners for medium quantities as well as 40 t articulated trucks with up to 33 pallet spaces for full truckloads. This way you pay only for the load space your shipment actually needs. Special requirements such as a tail lift, pallet truck or vehicles with a mounted forklift for consignees without a ramp we also dispatch on request.

What do the EU cabotage rules mean for my transport?

Cabotage regulates how many domestic runs a foreign truck may carry out after a cross-border unloading – a maximum of three within seven days. For you as a shipper it is important that your forwarder plans in a rule-compliant way, otherwise fines and delays threaten. Speed Logistics takes cabotage and Mobility Package requirements into account already during route planning.

Can I track my truck transport live?

Yes. Our vehicles are connected via GPS tracking, and you receive status reports on loading, border crossing and delivery. For time-critical shipments, the dispatch team informs you proactively about deviations – around the clock and multilingually, also on international lanes with foreign consignees.

Does Speed Logistics also take over truck transports to non-EU countries?

Yes. We run direct transports to Türkiye, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia – door to door including complete customs clearance from EXW to DDP. Export declaration, transit papers and border clearance our dispatch team coordinates, so that you have only one contact for the entire chain.

What must I bear in mind with international truck transports?

International traffic is subject to the EU cabotage rules – a maximum of three domestic runs within seven days after a cross-border unloading – as well as the driving and rest-time requirements of the Mobility Package. If planning is not rule-compliant, fines and delays threaten. Speed Logistics takes both into account already during route and driver planning.

Why is the choice between FTL, LTL and groupage decisive?

It determines the price, transit time and number of transhipments: FTL runs directly and fastest, LTL shares the load space for medium quantities, groupage is cheapest when two to four days of transit are acceptable. A wrong choice costs either unnecessary time or unnecessary money – Speed Logistics calculates the variants in parallel on request.

Request truck transport

Contact our dispatch team – fixed-price quote within hours, available 24/7.