Reefer LTL is less-than-truckload shipping on a refrigerated trailer. A few pallets of frozen, chilled or temperature-protected freight share a reefer with other shippers' cold freight, so you keep the cold chain without paying for a full refrigerated truck.
How it works
Refrigerated LTL carriers run scheduled consolidation routes. Freight is picked up, held in temperature-controlled space, combined with other orders heading the same way, and delivered on a planned route. Because the schedule is route-based, pickup and delivery days are less flexible than dry LTL, and lead time matters.
Multi-temperature trailers use insulated bulkheads to hold separate zones, so frozen and chilled products can often ride on the same truck.
What you need to quote it
- Pickup and delivery ZIP codes
- Pallet count, dimensions and total weight
- The required temperature or range
- The commodity, and whether it is food grade
- The receiver's appointment and unloading rules
When to choose a full reefer truck instead
Once a shipment reaches roughly 10 to 14 pallets, a dedicated refrigerated truckload is often cheaper and faster, and it removes the consolidation schedule. Price both when you are near that range.
| Range | Typical setpoint | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen | About -10°F to 10°F | Frozen foods, ice cream, seafood |
| Chilled | About 32°F to 40°F | Dairy, produce, fresh prepared foods |
| Temperature protected | About 45°F to 70°F | Confection, supplements, cosmetics, beverages that cannot freeze |
Common questions
Is reefer LTL more expensive than regular LTL?
Yes. Refrigerated equipment, fuel for the cooling unit and a smaller carrier network make it cost more than dry LTL, but far less than a full refrigerated truck for a small shipment.
How long does refrigerated LTL take?
It depends on the consolidation schedule for the lane. Regional moves can deliver in a few days; cross-country moves take longer than dry LTL because freight waits for the scheduled route.
Written by the MeritSpan Logistics team. Last reviewed November 9, 2026. Figures are typical values; equipment and carrier rules vary.