Between freight classes, dimensions, weight, and accessorial charges, quoting LTL shipments has always involved more than just plugging numbers into a system. And when it comes to planning capacity across different terminals and carriers? That’s another layer of complexity.
But things are starting to change—and AI is a big reason why.
We're now seeing artificial intelligence move from buzzword to actual tool. And in the LTL space, it’s making quoting faster, capacity planning smarter, and freight decisions a whole lot more efficient.
If you’ve ever tried to get a quick and accurate LTL quote, you know the pain. Even small errors—wrong freight class, missed accessorials, incorrect dimensions—can lead to big surprises later. AI is helping to clean that up.
New quoting tools are using AI to:
Learn from historical shipment data
Suggest the most accurate freight class
Flag common accessorials based on similar past moves
Even recommend the most reliable or cost-effective carrier for a lane
It’s not just about speed (although that’s a big win)—it’s about consistency, accuracy, and avoiding rework later on. And for shippers, brokers, and 3PLs, that means faster responses and quotes that actually stick.
Finding LTL capacity used to mean a lot of back-and-forth. Call the terminal, check availability, cross your fingers. Now? AI can help teams see patterns and react before a problem even hits.
Modern tools are using real-time and historical data to:
Spot when certain lanes are tightening
Suggest alternate routing or consolidation options
Forecast terminal congestion or carrier availability
This is especially helpful when the market gets unpredictable. And in logistics, let’s face it—that’s most of the time. With AI-powered insights, planners can shift from reactive to proactive—and that’s a big shift in how shipping gets done.
AI isn’t here to replace people. But it is giving logistics teams better tools to do their jobs—faster and with fewer headaches.
If you’re handling LTL regularly, this means:
Less time quoting
Fewer billing surprises
More confidence that your freight will actually move when and how it’s supposed to
It also gives brokers and logistics providers a competitive edge—because faster quoting and smarter planning means better service (and usually, better pricing too).
AI is already reshaping how LTL freight is quoted and planned—and it’s only getting better.
The companies that combine smart tools with solid service and experience? They’re the ones delivering the real value in today’s freight market. If you’re not exploring how AI fits into your LTL strategy yet, now might be the time to start.