LTL Shipping From Charlotte: Rates & Transit
What it actually costs to ship LTL freight out of the Charlotte area, how long it takes and where it goes, from 803 shipments Armstrong Transport Group arranged from September 2025 – August 2026.
Where Charlotte freight goes
Pickups came mostly from Charlotte, NC, Salisbury, NC, Kings Mountain, NC, Shelby, NC and Gastonia, NC. By destination, the top states were:
| Destination state | Share of shipments |
|---|---|
| Florida | 10% |
| Texas | 9% |
| South Carolina | 8% |
| North Carolina | 8% |
| California | 7% |
| Georgia | 4% |
What LTL shipping costs from Charlotte
These are the all-in rates Armstrong customers actually paid from Charlotte from September 2025 – August 2026, including fuel and any accessorials. The range is the middle 50% of shipments in each weight bracket, so a quarter paid less and a quarter paid more, mostly because of freight class, accessorials and timing.
| Shipment weight | Typical range | Median | Shipments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 lb | $245 – $535 | $340 | 374 |
| 500–999 lb | $285 – $680 | $420 | 124 |
| 1,000–2,499 lb | $310 – $705 | $465 | 110 |
| 2,500–4,999 lb | $475 – $1,145 | $760 | 132 |
| 5,000–9,999 lb | $905 – $1,910 | $1,375 | 52 |
Historical rates, rounded to $5, shown for budgeting only. They aren’t a quote: your price depends on exact ZIPs, freight class, pickup date and accessorials. See national pallet shipping costs for comparison.
Those ranges blend every destination, from next-door deliveries to cross-country moves. For a tighter number, check the lane pages for North Carolina below or see how distance changes pallet shipping costs.
Transit time and carriers from Charlotte
The median LTL shipment from Charlotte delivered in 2 business days after pickup, and 80% arrived within 4 business days (based on 797 delivered shipments). Standard LTL transit is an estimate, not a promise; if a delivery date matters, ask for a guaranteed service. More on how LTL transit times work.
No single carrier wins every shipment. Southeastern Freight Lines, ABF Freight and AAA Cooper Transportation moved 41% of the freight we arranged from Charlotte; the rest went to R+L Carriers and Averitt Express and other national and regional carriers, depending on which one priced each shipment best.
| Carrier | Share of shipments |
|---|---|
| Southeastern Freight Lines | 18% |
| ABF Freight | 12% |
| AAA Cooper Transportation | 11% |
| R+L Carriers | 9% |
| Averitt Express | 7% |
What ships from Charlotte
The median shipment weighed 560 lb at a median freight class of 100. The most common classes were class 55 (15%), class 125 (14%) and class 100 (11%). Lighter, bulkier freight rates in higher classes and costs more per pound, which is why measuring density before you quote matters.
By type of shipper, the biggest groups were metals & fabrication (33%), auto parts (16%), industrial machinery & equipment (12%) and wholesale distribution (9%), among shipments where the shipper’s industry is known.
Shipping freight out of North Carolina
North Carolina freight follows I-85 and I-40 through Charlotte, the Triad and the Triangle. Furniture, textiles, food and manufacturing all ship heavily by LTL, and the state is well covered by Southeastern regional carriers.
GetLTLRates compares tariff, dynamic and volume LTL pricing from 50+ carriers for Charlotte pickups, and a dedicated Armstrong team handles scheduling, tracking and the final invoice.
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Get my free rates →Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a pallet from Charlotte?
For a 500–999 lb LTL shipment out of the Charlotte area, the middle half of Armstrong customers paid $285 to $680 all-in, median $420, across all destinations (September 2025 – August 2026). Distance is the biggest swing factor: a local or in-state delivery costs far less than a cross-country one.
How long does LTL take from Charlotte?
Across all destinations, the median shipment from Charlotte delivered in 2 business days after pickup and 80% arrived within 4 business days. In-state and neighboring-state deliveries usually take 1–2 days; cross-country lanes typically take 4 or more.
Which LTL carriers pick up in Charlotte?
On freight Armstrong arranged from Charlotte, the most-used carriers were Southeastern Freight Lines, ABF Freight, AAA Cooper Transportation and R+L Carriers, but dozens of national and regional carriers serve the area. Quoting them side by side is the fastest way to find the best price for a specific shipment.
Can I get a same-day LTL pickup in Charlotte?
Often, yes, if the shipment is booked early in the day and the carrier has a driver in the area. Late bookings usually roll to the next business day. A specialist can confirm pickup windows when you book.
Related
Figures are from LTL freight arranged through the Armstrong Transport Group network with pickups in the Charlotte area, September 2025 – August 2026. Price ranges are the middle 50% of all-in paid rates, rounded to $5, for budgeting only; they are not a quote.