An apparatus for load balancing based on available bandwidth estimation includes a bandwidth module configured to determine for a networking device a first available bandwidth estimate for a first egress port and a second available bandwidth estimate for a second egress port, a load balancing module configured to select the first egress port as a selected port in response to determining that the first available bandwidth estimate of the first egress port exceeds a predetermined level and to select the second egress port as the selected port in response to determining that the available bandwidth estimate of the first egress port does not exceed the predetermined level and that the second available bandwidth estimate of the second egress port exceeds the predetermined level, and a transmission module configured to transmit a packet from the selected port. A method and network switching device work similarly to the apparatus.