Freight Shipping Cost Estimator
Calculate freight shipping costs for LTL, FTL, expedited, and air freight. Estimate dimensional weight, compare modes, and optimize shipping expenses.
Formula
Cost = (Billable Weight × Base Rate × √(Distance/100) × Class Multiplier × Urgency) + Fuel + Accessorials
Billable weight is greater of actual or dimensional (L×W×H/139). Base rate varies by mode. Distance uses square root for economy of scale. Freight class adjusts for cargo type.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Standard LTL Pallet
Problem:1 pallet: 500 lbs, 48×40×48 inches, Class 85, 1,000 miles, standard delivery.
Solution:Dimensional weight: (48×40×48) / 139 = 662 lbs Billable weight: max(500, 662) = 662 lbs Base rate calculation: 662 lbs × $0.15 × √(1000/100) × 1.1 (Class 85) = 662 × 0.15 × 3.16 × 1.1 = $345 Minimum charge check: $345 > $150 ✓ Fuel surcharge (28%): $97 Accessorials: $90 (liftgate + notify + ins) Total: $345 + $97 + $90 = $532 Transit: 3 days
Result:$532 total | 3 days | $0.80/lb | DIM weight applied
Example 2: Full Truckload
Problem:20,000 lbs, 500 miles, standard truck dimensions, Class 70.
Solution:FTL pricing is per mile, not weight: 500 miles × ~$2.50/mile = $1,250 base Fuel surcharge (28%): $350 Total: $1,600 Cost per lb: $1,600 / 20,000 = $0.08/lb LTL comparison for same weight: 20,000 × $0.15 × √5 × 1.0 = $6,708 + fuel FTL saves: $5,000+ for large shipments Transit: 1 day
Result:$1,600 FTL | 1 day | $0.08/lb | 75% cheaper than LTL
Example 3: Expedited Shipment
Problem:200 lbs, 24×24×24 inches, Class 100, 800 miles, rush delivery.
Solution:DIM: (24×24×24) / 139 = 99 lbs Billable: max(200, 99) = 200 lbs Expedited base: 200 × $0.25 × √8 × 1.2 × 1.8 (rush) = 200 × 0.25 × 2.83 × 1.2 × 1.8 = $305 Minimum: $305 > $300 ✓ Fuel (28%): $85 Accessorials: $50 Total: $440 Standard LTL would be: ~$180 Expedited premium: 2.4x Transit: 1 day vs 3 days
Result:$440 expedited | 1 day | 2.4x standard | For urgent needs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LTL vs FTL shipping?
LTL (Less Than Truckload): Share truck space with other shipments, pay per pallet/weight. FTL (Full Truckload): Exclusive truck use, flat rate. LTL is cheaper for <10,000 lbs; FTL for larger shipments or time-sensitive freight.
What is dimensional weight?
Dimensional (DIM) weight = L×W×H / DIM factor. Carriers charge the greater of actual or DIM weight. Factor: 139 for LTL, 166 for parcel. This penalizes light, bulky items that take space but don't weigh much.
What are freight classes?
NMFC freight classes (50-500) classify goods by density, handling, stowability, and liability. Lower classes = denser, easier to handle = cheaper. Class 50: very dense (gravel). Class 500: very light (ping pong balls). Most goods are 70-125.
What is fuel surcharge?
Variable charge adjusting for fuel price changes. Typically 20-35% of base rate. Calculated weekly based on DOE diesel index. Not negotiable but predictable. Always included in total cost estimates.
What are accessorial charges?
Extra services beyond dock-to-dock: liftgate ($50-100), residential delivery ($50-100), inside delivery ($100+), limited access, appointment scheduling, redelivery, etc. Can significantly increase cost - request quotes with all needed services.
How long does freight shipping take?
LTL: 2-5 days (500 mi/day avg). FTL: 1-3 days (600+ mi/day). Expedited: 1-2 days. Air freight: 1-2 days coast-to-coast. Ocean: 2-6 weeks international. Add 1-2 days for pickup/delivery.
How do I reduce shipping costs?
Strategies: consolidate shipments, optimize packaging (reduce DIM weight), ship to commercial addresses, flexible timing, negotiate volume rates, verify freight class, and compare carriers. 10-30% savings typically achievable.
What's the difference between air and expedited?
Expedited ground: dedicated truck, driver teams, 1-2 day delivery, ~$1-2/mile. Air freight: 1-day delivery nationwide, ~$5-10/lb. Air is faster but 5-10x more expensive. Use air for truly urgent, high-value shipments.
How do I get accurate quotes?
Provide: exact dimensions, weight, origin/destination zip codes, freight class, pickup/delivery requirements, and any special handling. Get quotes from 3+ carriers. Use freight brokers for comparison shopping.