Question 1

How are LTL freight rates calculated?

Accepted Answer

LTL rates are built from five components: (1) a base rate per 100 lb (CWT) tied to NMFC freight class — the higher the class, the higher the per-CWT rate; (2) a weight-break factor that gives lighter shipments a higher per-CWT rate (the L5C, M5C, M1M, M2M, M5M, M10M tiers); (3) a lane or zone multiplier reflecting distance and lane density; (4) a fuel surcharge — typically 26-32% of linehaul in Q1 2026; (5) accessorial fees for liftgate, residential, inside delivery, limited access, and similar services. The calculator on this page combines all five into an all-in door-to-door estimate.

Question 2

What is a weight break in LTL pricing?

Accepted Answer

Weight breaks are tiered discount thresholds. As your shipment crosses a weight break, the per-CWT rate steps down. Common thresholds are 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, and 20000 lb. Carriers sometimes apply "deficit weight" billing, where a shipment that is just under a weight break is billed AS IF it were at the next break — because the lower rate produces a higher invoice. If your shipment is 1,950 lb at a 1.10x weight-break factor and the next tier is 1.00x at 2,000 lb, the 2,000 lb rate would actually be cheaper. Always ask your carrier or 3PL to apply deficit weight when it benefits you.

Question 3

Why is my LTL quote different from this calculator?

Accepted Answer

Three reasons: (1) carrier-specific discounts — large shippers and 3PLs negotiate 60-80% off published tariffs, while one-off shippers might see only 30-45% off; (2) lane density — a popular lane like Atlanta to Charlotte will be 10-20% cheaper than the same mileage to a less-served destination; (3) class disputes — if the carrier reweighs and reclassifies your freight, the invoice can spike 30-100%. This calculator targets typical post-discount rates for a non-contract shipper. If your real quotes are consistently 25%+ higher, you almost certainly need a 3PL or freight broker negotiating on your behalf.

Question 4

What are the most expensive LTL accessorials?

Accepted Answer

In 2026, the highest accessorials nationally are: limited access ($120-160), residential delivery ($110-145), liftgate at delivery ($85-110), inside delivery ($75-110), and reweigh/reclass ($45-65). Beyond these, lumper service (often $80-200+) and detention at the dock ($75-125/hr after 1-2 free hours) can add hundreds per shipment. The cheapest way to control accessorials is to ship to commercial dock-equipped consignees and to densify your freight so it is class 65-100 and rarely reclassified.

Question 5

How do I lower my LTL freight rates?

Accepted Answer

Five tactics, in order of impact: (1) consolidate to fewer carriers — committing 60-70% of your volume to one or two LTL carriers typically unlocks an extra 10-20 percentage points of discount; (2) audit your freight class — most shippers overstate class by 1-2 tiers, which can cost 15-30% per shipment; (3) shift from class 100+ to class 70-85 by densifying packaging — drop dunnage, build tighter pallets; (4) use a 3PL or broker for sub-500-shipment-per-month volume — they aggregate shippers and pass through their tariff discounts; (5) negotiate FAK (Freight-All-Kinds) pricing if your mix has high-class items mixed with low-class — FAK lets you bill everything at one negotiated class.

Question 6

Are these rates accurate for my carrier?

Accepted Answer

The base rates and lane multipliers in this calculator are blended across the seven major US LTL carriers (Old Dominion, XPO, Saia, Estes, FedEx Freight, TForce Freight, ABF) for non-contract shippers in Q1 2026. Real quotes from any single carrier will land within +/-20% on most lanes. Old Dominion typically prices 5-10% above the blended average and Estes/Saia typically 5-10% below. Always get at least three carrier quotes before booking, and run the calculator first to know what a reasonable rate looks like.

Question 7

When should I use LTL vs full truckload (FTL)?

Accepted Answer

The crossover is typically 6-10 pallets, or 8,000-15,000 lb. Below that, LTL is cheaper because you are sharing trailer space. Above that, the per-pallet LTL rate stops scaling efficiently and FTL becomes cheaper. Other factors that push you toward FTL earlier: time-sensitive freight (LTL transit is 2-3 days longer due to terminal handling), fragile freight (LTL freight is touched 4-6 times vs once or twice on FTL), and high-value freight (every transload is a damage/loss exposure). Many shippers also use partial-truckload or "volume LTL" services for the 6-15 pallet sweet spot, which can beat both.

Question 8

Why does the fuel surcharge change every week?

Accepted Answer

Carriers publish a fuel surcharge schedule that is tied to the US Department of Energy weekly diesel index. As the diesel index rises or falls, the FSC percentage steps up or down. In 2026, most LTL carriers re-index every Monday based on the prior Wednesdays diesel reading. This is why you cannot hard-code an FSC into a long-term contract — but you CAN negotiate the schedule used (some carriers still apply 2022-era schedules with FSCs 5-10 points above market).

Lane	Class 70	Class 85	Class 100
Midwest -> Southeast	$320 - $410	$410 - $510	$510 - $640
Midwest -> Northeast	$310 - $400	$400 - $500	$500 - $620
Northeast -> Southeast	$310 - $395	$390 - $490	$490 - $610
Midwest -> South Central	$330 - $420	$420 - $530	$530 - $660
Midwest -> West Coast	$430 - $560	$540 - $700	$680 - $870
Northeast -> West Coast	$465 - $610	$580 - $760	$735 - $940
Southeast -> West Coast	$470 - $620	$590 - $770	$745 - $950
West Coast -> Mountain	$310 - $400	$390 - $500	$495 - $625

LTL Freight Rate Calculator (2026)