Ground and Freight Shipping: What’s the Difference?
Whether you’re shipping large or small quantities, you have plenty of options when it comes to transporting goods. Unfortunately, with so many options, it can be hard to determine which shipping method is right for you.
Freight and ground shipping are two of the most common methods of transporting goods; both of which are easily mistaken for the other. While each method has its pros and cons, understanding the differences between the two will make it easier to determine which is right for your shipping needs.
What is Freight Shipping?
Freight shipping refers to the transportation of goods in bulk. This method is commonly used by businesses that have large quantities of goods they need to send all over the country and the globe. There are several different types of freight shipping, including:
- Intermodal transportation (via rail or road)
- Ocean freight
- Air freight
Freight shipping is also broken down further into two categories: LTL and FTL. LTL shipping refers to smaller shipments that do not fill an entire truck, while FTL shipping refers to larger shipments that utilize the entire space available. Freight shipping is also the most common option when transporting goods to commercial businesses.
Pros of Freight Shipping
There are several benefits of freight shipping, though many vary based on the type of freight.
- Is better for the environment than ground shipping
- Can transport goods anywhere in the world
- Few delays, especially with a method such as air freight
- Quick arrival time for goods
Cons of Freight Shipping
Unfortunately, freight shipping is not without its disadvantages.
- Is often more expensive than ground shipping
- May suffer time delays, many of which are completely unpredictable
What is Ground Shipping?
Ground shipping is one of the most effective methods for transporting goods domestically. With this method, shipments are often transferred to an LTL service, where they are then forwarded to their final destination. Ground shipments tend to be smaller, and are preferable to those who are shipping in less-populated areas. For this reason, companies that need to ship large quantities of goods generally do not use ground shipping.
Pros of Ground Shipping
Though it has more limitations than freight shipping, ground shipping does have its advantages.
- Able to access less-populated rural areas
- Ideal for small businesses who ship goods in small quantities
Cons of Ground Shipping
Unfortunately, ground shipping is not without its disadvantages, including:
- Expensive, due to the inability to ship in bulk
- Longer shipping times due to frequent stops
Fast, Effective Shipping with Big Sky Denver
No matter your shipping needs Big Sky Trading has what it takes to transport your goods quickly and safely. For more information on our available shipping methods, warehouse storage options, and more contact Big Sky Trading today.
