Small Truckload (STL) Shipping:fast & reliable
- Quick Pickup: Pickup within 60–120 minutes – Small Truckload (STL) Shipping.
- Direct delivery without detours: No stops – fastest delivery time on the market.
- Security & Insurance: Transport insurance for all shipments.
- 99.5% on-time rate: Highest reliability with a guarantee for timely deliveries.
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Small Truckload (STL) Shipping today ... 🚚📦...why choose us?
Flexible pickup
Direct delivery
Transport insurance
Guaranteed reliability
Monitoring 24/7
Fair prices
What Is Small Truckload (STL) Shipping?
Small truckload – STL – fills the gap between LTL and full truckload. Your 1 to 14 pallets travel in a smaller vehicle – a cargo van, a box truck or a straight truck – that is booked exclusively for you. The truck picks up at your dock and drives directly to the consignee. There is no terminal, no cross-docking and no other freight on board.
With DAGO Express you book STL like a courier: enter pickup and delivery, choose the vehicle, see a flat rate in U.S. dollars in our online calculator and book online.
Whatdo wetransport?
Notice
We are ISO 9001 certified. Interstate shipments are carried out by vetted motor carriers with active FMCSA operating authority and cargo insurance. Local courier runs within one state are handled by vetted, fully insured couriers.
For temperature-controlled transports, we also provide a printout of the temperature profile recorded throughout the entire journey.
How we vet our carriers
1Authority checkBefore the first load we verify USDOT number, operating authority and safety record in the FMCSA database. For local runs in cars and SUVs we verify driver license, vehicle registration and insurance.2Insurance checkValid cargo and liability insurance is required. We check the certificate before a carrier can take loads and again when it expires.3Carrier agreementEvery carrier signs our carrier agreement and service rules: no re-brokering, exclusive use of the vehicle, proof of delivery for every shipment.4Monitoring & ratingEvery shipment is monitored and rated for punctuality, communication and damage-free delivery. Carriers who do not meet our standards are removed from the network.
LTL vs. STL vs. Full Truckload
| LTL | STL (small truckload) | FTL (full truckload) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical size | 1–6 pallets | 1–14 pallets | up to 26 pallets |
| Vehicle | Shared 53 ft trailer | Exclusive van, box truck or straight truck | Exclusive 53 ft trailer |
| Route | Several terminals, re-handled | Direct, pickup to delivery | Direct, pickup to delivery |
| Transit time | Several days, variable | Same day to a few days | Depends on distance and truck availability |
| Damage risk | Higher – freight is re-handled | Low – loaded once, unloaded once | Low |
| Price | Low per pallet, plus accessorials | Flat rate for the vehicle | Rate for the whole trailer |
Which vehicle for how many pallets? 1–3 pallets: cargo van or Sprinter. 4–14 pallets: box truck or straight truck. More than 14 pallets: full truckload.
When STL Is the Better Choice
- LTL is too slow or unpredictable – your freight cannot sit in terminals for days
- Your freight is fragile or high-value – no re-handling, no mixed loads
- A 53 ft trailer would be half empty – you only pay for the vehicle you need
- Fixed delivery windows – retail appointments, construction sites, trade shows
- Recurring lanes – the same route every week, see routed delivery
STL does not have to be a rush job – you can pick a fixed pickup date. If it is urgent, the same vehicle simply leaves right away as expedited freight.
What Can Be Shipped by Small Truckload?
STL works for any palletized, crated or boxed freight from 1 to 14 pallets – especially goods that suffer from re-handling in LTL terminals:
- Machinery, tools and spare parts – see machinery transport
- Electronics and medical devices – see electronic components shipping and medical device transport
- Furniture, fixtures and displays – see furniture transport
- E-commerce and retail replenishment – see e-commerce logistics
- Printed products and packaging – see printed products transport
- Trade show material – see trade fair logistics
Every shipment is covered by our transport insurance.
How Small Truckload Shipping Works
- Enter your shipment – pickup, delivery, pallet count, dimensions and weight in the online calculator.
- Choose the vehicle – cargo van, box truck or straight truck. You see the flat rate in U.S. dollars before you book.
- Exclusive pickup – a vetted carrier with active operating authority and cargo insurance picks up at the agreed time.
- Direct delivery – no terminal, no transfer. Our dispatch monitors the shipment 24/7 and you receive a proof of delivery at the end.
Unlike LTL, STL needs no freight class and no NMFC code. There are no density surprises, no re-weigh fees and no re-class invoices weeks after delivery.
Small Truckload Pricing
The price depends on the distance in miles, the vehicle size and the pickup date. You pay one flat rate for the whole vehicle – shown in U.S. dollars before you book, with no hidden fees and no LTL reclassification or re-weigh charges. Our dispatch works 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays.
DAGO Express Inc. is a licensed property broker registered with the FMCSA, USDOT 6965061, MC 63254743. Every transport is performed by a vetted, authorized motor carrier with active operating authority and cargo insurance. For regular shipments we set up business accounts with agreed rates and monthly invoicing.
Frequently asked questions about our courier service
What does STL mean in shipping?
STL stands for small truckload: 1 to 14 pallets shipped in an exclusive-use van, box truck or straight truck, directly from pickup to delivery.
What is the difference between STL and LTL?
In LTL your freight shares a trailer with other shipments and is re-handled at several terminals. In STL the vehicle carries only your freight and drives directly – faster, more predictable and with less damage risk.
Is STL the same as partial truckload?
They are closely related. Partial truckload usually means sharing a 53 ft trailer with one or two other shipments. With STL you get a smaller vehicle all to yourself.
Is small truckload more expensive than LTL?
Per pallet, the LTL base rate is often lower. But LTL adds accessorials, longer transit times and a higher damage risk. For time-sensitive or fragile freight, STL is usually the better total cost.
Can STL be scheduled for a later date?
Yes. You can book for today or pick a fixed pickup date in the calculator.
How much does small truckload shipping cost?
The price depends on distance, vehicle size and pickup date. You see a flat rate in U.S. dollars in our online calculator before you book.
What size shipment qualifies for small truckload?
Typically 1 to 14 standard pallets or up to approx. 10,000 lbs. Larger loads move as full truckload in a 53 ft trailer.
Do I need a freight class for STL?
No. STL is priced by vehicle and distance, so you need no NMFC freight class and there are no re-class or re-weigh charges.
Can STL deliver to residential addresses?
Yes. Vans and box trucks reach residential streets easily. Book a liftgate if there is no loading dock.
Are STL shipments insured?
Yes. Every transport is covered by our transport insurance and the cargo insurance of the motor carrier.
Is small truckload available nationwide?
Yes. We arrange STL shipments across the contiguous United States, local as well as long-haul.
What information do I need for an STL quote?
Pickup and delivery address, number of pallets, dimensions, total weight, any liftgate need and the preferred pickup date.
