Freight shipping costs are never one-size-fits-all. Whether you are moving a single pallet across one state or filling a 53-foot trailer for a cross-country haul, a web of variables determines what you will actually pay. This guide breaks down the major cost drivers so you can budget accurately and negotiate confidently.
Full Truckload (FTL) Rates
FTL pricing is quoted on a per-mile basis. As of early 2026, national averages typically fall within these ranges:
- Dry van: $1.50 – $2.80 per mile, depending on lane, season, and whether the rate is contract or spot.
- Reefer (temperature-controlled): $2.00 – $3.50 per mile. Reefer premiums reflect fuel for the refrigeration unit plus the limited supply of temperature-controlled trailers.
- Flatbed: $2.20 – $3.50 per mile. Tarping requirements, load securement, and the specialized nature of flatbed freight push rates above dry van.
A 1,000-mile dry van FTL shipment in a balanced lane (roughly equal freight moving in both directions) might cost $1,800 – $2,500 all-in. The same shipment in a head-haul lane during produce season could run $2,800 – $3,500 or more.
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Rates
LTL pricing is more complex than FTL. Instead of a simple per-mile rate, LTL carriers use a combination of freight class, weight, origin and destination zip codes, and their published tariff to calculate cost. Here is how the pieces fit together:
- Freight class (NMFC 50–500): Higher classes mean higher rates. A pallet of dense machine parts (class 50) will cost significantly less per hundredweight than lightweight electronics packaging (class 250).
- Weight breaks: LTL carriers offer lower per-CWT rates at higher weight brackets (500 lbs, 1,000 lbs, 2,000 lbs, 5,000 lbs). Sometimes shipping slightly more weight actually reduces your total cost.
- Discount from tariff: LTL rates are quoted as a discount off the carrier's published tariff. Discounts of 60% – 85% off tariff are common for shippers with regular volume.
A typical 4-pallet, 2,000 lb LTL shipment (class 85) moving 600 miles might cost anywhere from $400 to $1,200 depending on origin/destination density, carrier, and any accessorials.
Fuel Surcharges
Nearly every freight shipment includes a fuel surcharge, expressed as a percentage of the linehaul rate. The surcharge adjusts weekly based on the DOE (Department of Energy) national average diesel price. When diesel runs $3.80 – $4.20 per gallon, FTL fuel surcharges typically range from 20% to 35% of the linehaul rate. LTL carriers publish their own fuel surcharge tables, which may differ from FTL calculations.
Accessorial Charges
Accessorials are fees for services beyond standard dock-to-dock transport. They can add hundreds of dollars to a shipment, and overlooking them is one of the most common budgeting mistakes.
- Detention: $50 – $100 per hour after 2 hours of free time at pickup or delivery. If your warehouse takes 4 hours to load, that is $100 – $200 in detention fees.
- Lumper fees: $150 – $400 at grocery distribution centers and retail warehouses that require third-party unloading crews.
- Liftgate: $75 – $200 when delivery locations lack a loading dock and freight must be lowered to ground level.
- Inside delivery: $100 – $300 when freight must be brought inside a building beyond the dock or threshold.
- Residential delivery: $75 – $150 surcharge for deliveries to locations classified as residential.
- Limited access: $75 – $200 for locations that are difficult for trucks to access (construction sites, military bases, schools).
Spot Rates vs. Contract Rates
Understanding the difference between spot and contract pricing is essential for budgeting:
- Contract rates are negotiated for a fixed period (typically 6–12 months) and provide price stability. Carriers commit capacity and shippers commit volume. Contract rates are usually 10% – 25% lower than spot during tight markets, but may be higher than spot during loose markets.
- Spot rates reflect the current supply-and-demand balance on any given lane. They fluctuate daily. Spot rates are ideal for overflow freight, one-time shipments, or lanes where volume is unpredictable.
Seasonal Pricing Patterns
Freight rates follow predictable seasonal patterns. January and February tend to be the softest months, with rates at or near annual lows as post-holiday freight volumes drop. Rates begin climbing in March as produce season ramps up, and they peak between June and August when produce, construction, and general manufacturing freight compete for limited truck capacity. A second peak typically occurs in September through November as holiday retail freight floods the market. December brings a brief spike followed by a sharp decline after Christmas.
How to Get Accurate Rate Quotes
When requesting freight quotes, provide as much detail as possible to get an accurate price:
- Exact origin and destination (city and zip code, at minimum)
- Commodity description and freight class
- Weight and dimensions (including pallet count for LTL)
- Pickup and delivery dates (or a date range)
- Any special requirements: liftgate, temperature control, hazmat, team drivers
- Whether the location is commercial with a dock, commercial without a dock, or residential
The more information you provide upfront, the fewer surprises you will encounter when the invoice arrives. A detailed quote request is always more accurate than a ballpark estimate.
Working With a Freight Broker to Control Costs
A good freight broker does more than find you a truck. They leverage relationships across hundreds of carriers to find competitive rates, negotiate accessorials, and identify cost-saving opportunities you might miss on your own. Brokers with consistent volume on your lanes often secure better rates than a shipper booking directly, because carriers value the steady freight flow a broker provides.
If you are shipping regularly, consider working with a broker who offers both contract and spot solutions. This gives you the stability of committed rates on your primary lanes with the flexibility to handle overflow and one-off shipments at market price. Learn more about how our process works to see how we approach rate management for our shippers.