Logistics & Transport

Freight Rate Estimator

Estimate total freight shipping costs including base rate, fuel surcharge, and accessorial charges for truckload shipments.

Distance (miles)

Rate per Mile ($)

Average 2026 truckload rate: $2.50 to $4.50 per mile depending on lane and equipment type.

Shipment Weight

Weight Unit

Fuel Surcharge (%)

Accessorials ($)

Accessorials include liftgate, inside delivery, detention, and other extra services.

Weight is used only to calculate cost per kg and does not affect total freight cost.

Your Results

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Enter shipment details and click calculate.

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Introduction

Freight pricing is more volatile than almost any other input cost in supply chain management. The American Transportation Research Institute reported that average dry van linehaul rates ranged from $2.10 to $3.80 per mile in 2025, a spread driven by capacity cycles, fuel price swings, and seasonal demand patterns. A shipper pricing a freight contract using last quarter's spot rates -- without accounting for fuel surcharges, accessorial charges, and current lane conditions -- can miscalculate total shipping cost by 15% to 30%. This estimator calculates total freight cost for truckload and LTL shipments by combining base mileage rates, fuel surcharges, and accessorial charges into a single all-in figure, helping shippers, brokers, and carriers price lanes accurately.

What This Calculator Does

This freight rate estimator calculates total shipping cost for truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) freight. For FTL, enter distance and per-mile rate with fuel surcharge. For LTL, enter shipment weight, freight class, and per-CWT rate. Add accessorial charges for liftgate, residential delivery, detention, inside delivery, or appointment scheduling. The result is a complete all-in freight cost estimate with per-unit cost breakdown.

The Formula

FTL Cost = Distance x Rate per Mile x (1 + Fuel Surcharge%) + Accessorials | LTL Cost = (Weight/100 x Rate per CWT x (1 + Fuel Surcharge%)) + Accessorials

For FTL, the base cost is lane distance multiplied by the negotiated per-mile rate. The fuel surcharge percentage is applied to the base linehaul cost and fluctuates weekly with the DOE diesel price index. Accessorial charges are flat fees added for specific services. For LTL, the cost is based on hundredweight (CWT = 100 lbs). Divide shipment weight by 100, multiply by the rate per CWT (which varies by freight class and distance), apply the fuel surcharge, and add accessorials.

Step-by-Step Example

FTL example: enter lane details

Chicago to Atlanta: 720 miles. Dry van market rate: $2.95/mile. Fuel surcharge: 18%. Accessorials: none (direct door-to-door).

Calculate FTL base and total cost

Base linehaul: 720 x $2.95 = $2,124. Fuel surcharge: $2,124 x 18% = $382.32. Total FTL: $2,506.32.

LTL example: enter shipment details

Shipment: 3,200 lbs, Class 92.5, 650 miles. Rate per CWT: $21.40. Fuel surcharge: 26%. Accessorials: liftgate delivery ($125).

Calculate LTL total cost

CWT units: 32. Base rate: 32 x $21.40 = $684.80. Fuel surcharge: $684.80 x 26% = $178.05. Liftgate: $125. Total LTL: $987.85.

Real-World Use Cases

Customer Quote Generation

A freight broker receives a shipper's request for pricing on a Chicago-to-Houston dry van load. Using current market rates ($2.80/mile), 18% fuel surcharge, and no accessorials, the all-in estimate is $2,100 for the 745-mile lane. Adding a 12% margin produces a customer quote of $2,352, which the broker can validate against current DAT or Truckstop.com load board rates before committing.

Annual Freight Budget Forecasting

A manufacturer shipping 200 truckloads per year across three regular lanes models best-case (current contract rates, $3.00/mile average), base-case ($3.40/mile), and stress-case ($4.00/mile) scenarios. The $400,000 annual freight spend variance across those scenarios directly informs financial planning and the decision of whether to lock in contract rates.

Carrier Rate Adequacy Check

A small carrier reviews a load board posting at $2.40/mile for a 600-mile lane. Using the freight rate calculator alongside their cost per mile data ($1.85 CPM), the gross margin at $2.40/mile is $0.55 per mile ($330 gross margin on the load). Fuel: $345.50. The load does not cover fuel alone at current diesel prices unless deadhead is minimal.

Comparison

Equipment Type	2026 Average Spot Rate ($/mile)	Fuel Surcharge Range	Seasonal Rate Factors
Dry Van (48'/53')	$2.50-$3.50	15-22%	Peak Q4 and produce season
Refrigerated (Reefer)	$3.00-$4.50	18-25%	Peak summer produce season
Flatbed	$2.80-$4.00	15-22%	Peak construction season (spring/summer)
Intermodal	$1.80-$2.50	10-15%	More stable; rail-dependent
LTL (per CWT, Class 85)	$18-$28/CWT	24-30%	Less volatile than FTL spot

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using an outdated fuel surcharge percentage. Freight fuel surcharges are recalculated weekly by most carriers based on the DOE's weekly national average diesel price. A surcharge that was 18% two months ago may be 24% today if diesel prices have risen. Always use the carrier's current published surcharge table when estimating LTL costs.
Forgetting accessorial charges on LTL shipments. Liftgate delivery ($75-$150), residential delivery ($75-$125), inside delivery ($100-$200), detention ($50-$75/hour after free time), and appointment scheduling ($25-$50) are separate line items that commonly add $100 to $300+ to an LTL shipment. Omitting them understates total cost by 10% to 25%.
Comparing LTL and FTL rates without normalizing for service level differences. LTL typically adds 3 to 7 days of transit time due to terminal handling and consolidation. FTL is direct, typically 1 to 3 days. The cost of slower transit -- inventory carrying cost, customer satisfaction, production scheduling -- is real even though it does not appear on a freight invoice.
Negotiating rate per mile without specifying minimum miles or stop-off charges. FTL contracts that specify only per-mile rates without minimum load charges or stop-off fees leave the carrier undercompensated on short lanes and allow unexpected charges on multi-stop loads. Always clarify fuel surcharge methodology, minimum charge, and stop-off fees in any contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are current dry van FTL rates per mile in 2026?

Dry van FTL spot rates in 2026 average $2.50 to $3.50 per mile including fuel surcharge, depending on lane, season, and market conditions. Contract rates for committed volume typically run 10% to 20% below spot. High-demand lanes (Southern California, Upper Midwest in winter, Southeast produce lanes in spring) command premiums above the national average. Rates are published in real-time on DAT Solutions and Truckstop.com load boards.

What is a fuel surcharge and how is it calculated?

A fuel surcharge (FSC) is a percentage added to the base freight rate that adjusts weekly based on current diesel prices. Carriers publish FSC tables showing the surcharge percentage at each diesel price band. For example: diesel at $3.70-$3.89 may trigger a 20% surcharge; diesel at $4.10-$4.29 may trigger a 26% surcharge. The DOE releases its weekly national average diesel price every Monday, which drives most carrier surcharge updates. FSC protects both carriers (from fuel price spikes) and shippers (from permanent rate increases).

What are common LTL accessorial charges?

Standard LTL accessorials include: liftgate at pickup or delivery ($75-$150 each), residential delivery ($75-$125), inside delivery ($100-$200), limited access location ($75-$150 -- examples include construction sites, military bases, remote warehouses), appointment fee ($25-$50), detention ($50-$75/hour after free time), and re-delivery after failed first attempt ($75-$150). Some carriers bundle accessorials into a single rate; most bill them separately.

How do I determine freight class for LTL shipments?

Freight class (NMFC code) is determined by four characteristics: density (weight per cubic foot), stowability (ability to load with other freight), handling difficulty, and liability (value and damage risk). Denser, more durable, lower-value freight gets lower class numbers (50, 55, 60) and lower rates. Lighter, bulkier, more fragile freight gets higher class numbers (250, 300, 400, 500) and significantly higher rates. The NMFC directory (published by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association) is the official classification guide. Density-based pricing is increasingly used as an alternative to strict NMFC classification.

Accuracy and Disclaimer

Freight rate estimates are based on general 2026 market conditions and user-provided rate inputs. Actual rates depend on carrier availability, lane demand, fuel prices, shipment characteristics, accessorial requirements, and contract terms. Always obtain carrier-specific quotes before committing to shipping costs. This calculator is for planning and budgeting purposes only.

Conclusion

Freight rates are negotiated, not listed. Published spot rates are the ceiling; contract rates for consistent volume typically run 10% to 20% lower. Always obtain quotes from at least three carriers before booking any shipment above $500. After estimating your freight rate, use the LTL vs. FTL Break-Even Calculator to determine whether your shipment size warrants a different shipping mode, and the Trucking Cost Per Mile Calculator if you are a carrier evaluating whether a lane is profitable at current market rates.