Freight Cost: Current Prices & Fees

Freight is any shipment that moves by truck on a pallet or in bulk, and it is priced very differently from parcels. A carrier does not charge a flat rate per box. It looks at the weight, the freight class, the distance, and any special handling, then adds a fuel surcharge on top of the base rate.

This page is a cost calculator in table form. It shows what shippers have paid for a single pallet by weight and distance, how freight class changes the price, what full-truckload and ocean freight cost, and which extra charges to watch for. You can use the tables to estimate a budget, but only a carrier quote gives a price for your specific lane.

Less-than-truckload (LTL) means your freight shares a truck with other shippers' freight. The tables above show what customers actually paid for single-pallet shipments over a twelve-month window, not a published rate card. Each range covers the middle of the shipments in that group, and the median is the middle price.

Two patterns show up. Distance matters more than most shippers expect, so the same pallet costs less within one state than across the country. Weight matters less than you might think, because LTL rates fall per pound as shipments get heavier. Going from a light pallet to a heavy one raises the total, but not in proportion to the weight.

Freight class is a number from the National Motor Freight Traffic Association that describes how a commodity ships. Dense, heavy freight gets a low class and a lower rate. Light, bulky freight gets a high class and a higher rate.

Most freight is now classified by density, so measure and weigh the pallet carefully, including the pallet itself. A wrong class on the bill of lading is a common reason an invoice comes in higher than the quote. Carriers inspect and reclassify freight, and they bill the difference.

LTL is the usual choice for palletized freight that does not fill a trailer. When a shipment is large enough to use most of a truck, a full truckload can make more sense. Ocean freight serves international moves and is quoted by container.

Red Stag Fulfillment describes LTL as working best for freight in the middle weight range, since smaller shipments may cost less by parcel and larger ones are often cheaper by truckload. The figures above are per shipment, so they cover a wide spread of weights and distances.

The base rate is not the final bill. Accessorial charges apply when a shipment needs services beyond dock-to-dock delivery.

Common accessorials include a liftgate when the delivery site has no dock, residential delivery, inside delivery, appointment scheduling, and limited-access locations such as schools, construction sites, and storage units. Declare them when you request a quote. If you add them after the fact, the carrier may bill them as adjustments.

A fuel surcharge is also added as a percentage of the linehaul charge. It moves with the national diesel price, so it can change from week to week. Always compare quotes on the total cost, not on the base rate alone.

Published numbers describe different things.

One source uses invoices from actual single-pallet shipments. Another gives a lower average pallet range in a guide that covers many shipping methods. Tariff rates, contract discounts, and volume programs can also differ a great deal for the same freight, which is why comparing quotes side by side is where many shippers find savings.

• Weight and dimensions. Carriers charge for actual or dimensional weight.
• Distance and lane. Busy corridors price better than thin or remote lanes.
• Freight class. Density and handling needs set the class.
• Accessorials. Liftgate, residential delivery, and appointments add fees.
• Fuel. The surcharge follows diesel prices.
• Season. Peak periods can raise rates.
• Pricing program. Tariff, contract, and volume quotes differ.

Weigh and measure accurately so the class on the bill of lading is correct. Consolidate small shipments into one larger shipment when you can. Compare quotes from several carriers or a broker. Ship to a business address with a dock when possible. Ask about discounts if you ship often.