Are there any load planning tools that focus on optimizing load building for mixed parcel, LTL, and truckload shipments?

Yes. There are load planning / transportation planning tools that can optimize mixed freight scenarios, including combinations of parcel, LTL, and truckload (TL)—though the feature set varies a lot by vendor.

What to look for

The capability is often described as:

• Multi-mode load optimization
• Consolidation planning
• Shipment building / load building
• Freight mode optimization
• Parcel-to-LTL-to-TL optimization
• Transportation Management System (TMS) with load planning

Common capabilities

Tools in this space may help you:

• Consolidate small shipments into fewer LTL or TL moves
• Decide whether to ship parcel vs. LTL vs. full truckload
• Optimize cube, weight, pallet count, and route constraints
• Build outbound loads from multiple orders or order lines
• Simulate cost/service tradeoffs across modes
• Reduce split shipments and shipping cost

Vendor categories

1. TMS platforms with optimization modules

   • Often best for enterprises with many shipment types
   • Examples: Oracle Transportation Management, SAP TM, Blue Yonder, Manhattan, MercuryGate

2. Dedicated load-building / freight optimization tools

   • Focus more specifically on shipment consolidation and load design
   • Often used in distribution and manufacturing networks

3. Parcel shipping platforms with LTL logic

   • Good when parcel is primary but some LTL/TL decisions are needed
   • Sometimes more limited on truckload planning

Selection tips

Look for support for:

• Mixed unit handling: eaches, cases, pallets
• Carrier rate shopping across parcel/LTL/TL
• Load constraints: dimensions, stackability, hazmat, temperature, trailer type
• Order promising / allocation integration
• Network-wide optimization, not just single-order packing

If you want, I can also give you:

1. a short list of specific vendors,
2. a feature comparison table, or
3. recommendations based on your shipment volume and ERP/TMS stack.