Freight Rate Estimator
Estimate total freight shipping costs including base rate, fuel surcharge, and accessorial charges for truckload shipments.
Average 2026 truckload rate: $2.50 to $4.50 per mile depending on lane and equipment type.
Accessorials include liftgate, inside delivery, detention, and other extra services.
Your Results
Enter shipment details and click calculate.
What This Calculator Does
This freight rate estimator calculates total shipping costs for truckload and less-than-truckload shipments. It factors in base mileage rates, fuel surcharges, and accessorial charges to provide a comprehensive cost estimate. The tool helps shippers, brokers, and carriers quickly price freight lanes and compare rates.
The Formula
The base freight cost is distance multiplied by the per-mile rate. The fuel surcharge is a percentage added to the base cost that fluctuates with diesel prices. Accessorial charges cover extra services like liftgate, inside delivery, detention time, and residential delivery.
Step-by-Step Example
Enter distance
Input the lane distance in miles. Example: 800 miles from Chicago to Atlanta.
Set per-mile rate
Enter the contracted or market rate. 2026 average dry van rates range from $2.50 to $4.50 per mile depending on lane and season.
Add fuel surcharge
Typically 10-20% of the base rate, varying with diesel fuel prices. Example: 15%.
Add accessorials
Liftgate ($75-150), residential delivery ($75-125), detention ($50-75/hr). Example: $150 total.
Real-World Use Cases
Rate Quoting
Quickly estimate freight costs for customer quotes and bid proposals.
Lane Analysis
Compare per-mile costs across different shipping lanes to optimize routes.
Budget Planning
Forecast transportation costs for quarterly and annual logistics budgets.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using an outdated fuel surcharge percentage. Fuel surcharges change weekly or monthly based on the DOE diesel price index.
Forgetting accessorial charges, which can add 5-15% to the total shipment cost.
Comparing rates without normalizing for distance. A $3,000 shipment over 500 miles ($6/mile) is more expensive than $4,000 over 1,200 miles ($3.33/mile).
Not accounting for seasonal rate fluctuations. Rates typically peak in Q4 and produce season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accuracy and Disclaimer
Freight rate estimates are approximate and based on general market conditions. Actual rates depend on carrier availability, lane demand, fuel prices, shipment characteristics, and contract terms. Get quotes from multiple carriers for accurate pricing.
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