Shipping economics

Freight Cost Estimator

Freight cost ≈ linehaul (distance × rate/mile × class multiplier) + fuel surcharge + accessorials (liftgate, residential, appointment). Model a shipment before you request quotes.

Direct answer

What does this tool do?

Freight Cost Estimator computes the result directly in your browser — Freight cost ≈ linehaul (distance × rate/mile × class multiplier) + fuel surcharge + accessorials (liftgate, residential, appointment). Model a shipment before you request quotes. Nothing you enter is uploaded or stored.

Reviewed by BoringToolsKit · September 1, 2026 · Example rates, editable — not carrier quotes.

Quick answer

How the estimate works

Base = distance × rate per mile × class multiplier (higher class = more space = higher multiplier). Fuel ≈ 20-30% of base. Accessorials cover liftgate ($75-150 example), residential ($100-150), appointments.

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Estimated freight cost

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Rate tables below are editable example defaults for modeling, not carrier quotes. Actual prices vary by negotiated rates, surcharges, and season. Confirm final cost with the carrier before shipping.

Methodology

Formula and assumptions

Total = (distance × rate/mile × class multiplier) × (1 + fuel %) + accessorials. Freight class (NMFC 50-500) drives the multiplier: dense class 50 ≈ 0.9x, bulky class 300 ≈ 1.6x example. Fuel surcharge typically 20-30% of linehaul, indexed weekly by DOE diesel prices.

Quick answers

Freight Cost Estimator questions

What is freight class?

An NMFC rating (50-500) based on density, stowability, handling, and liability. Lower class = denser/easier = cheaper. The multiplier models its price effect.

What percentage is fuel surcharge?

Typically 20-30% of the linehaul, indexed weekly to DOE diesel prices. Enter the current percentage your carrier quotes.

Why do accessorials matter?

Liftgate, residential delivery, and appointment fees commonly add $75-150 each — often the difference between quotes. Declare them upfront.

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Worked example: 800 miles, class 300, 25% fuel

Say you ship 6 pallets of foam packaging from Columbus to Atlanta, roughly 800 miles at a negotiated $1.90 per mile, rated class 300 (multiplier 1.6). Linehaul before class is 800 x 1.90 = $1,520. Apply the class multiplier: 1,520 x 1.6 = $2,432.

Fuel surcharge at 25% adds 2,432 x 0.25 = $608, bringing the freight charge to $3,040. The foam is going to a small storefront with no dock, so liftgate at $95 and residential delivery at $115 apply: 3,040 + 95 + 115 = $3,250 total.

The class multiplier is the swing factor here. The identical lane at class 50 (0.9x) would price at 1,520 x 0.9 = $1,368, then 1,368 x 1.25 = $1,710 plus the same $210 in accessorials, or $1,920. Bulky-but-light freight costs about 70% more than dense freight on the same truck, which is why densifying a shipment onto fewer, tighter pallets often beats hunting for a cheaper rate.

Where real quotes diverge from the estimate

The biggest gap is density misclassification. Carriers re-weigh and re-measure at hubs, and a pallet declared class 100 that measures class 250 gets rebilled at the higher multiplier plus a reclassification fee, typically $50-100. If your pallet is 48x40x48 inches and weighs 300 pounds, actual density is 300 / ((48x40x48)/1728) = 5.6 pounds per cubic foot, which lands around class 250, not 100. Measure and weigh before quoting.

Volume minimums are the second gap. LTL pricing often carries an absolute minimum charge; on short lanes a 150-mile move at a $2.05/mile rate computes to $308 linehaul, but the carrier's minimum may floor it near $350-450 regardless. The estimate can read low on short hauls.

Finally, quotes are lane- and week-specific. Fuel surcharges index weekly to DOE diesel, and capacity tightens seasonally: peak season (October through December) can add 10-25% through priority fees, and end-of-month or end-of-quarter volume pushes spot rates up further. Treat the output as a budgeting number, then compare two or three carrier quotes before booking.