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ESTIMATE
LTL REGIONAL EST. ~$28–32/cwt
│
DRY VAN FTL EST. ~$2.40–3.20/mi
│
REEFER FTL EST. ~$2.90–3.80/mi
│
OCEAN FCL EST. ~$1,600–3,200/FEU
│
LTL FUEL SURCH. EST. ~20–30%
│
ILLUSTRATIVE DATA Not current market quotes — verify with carriers
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Freight Rate Benchmarking Tool —
Free LTL & FTL Rate Estimator

Estimate freight costs for any lane based on historical market reference data. Use as a starting point for carrier negotiations — always get actual quotes from carriers before committing.

$28.40
LTL Avg $/cwt
$2.76
FTL Avg $/mi
24.8%
LTL Fuel Surcharge
Apr 2026
Rates Last Updated

RATE CALCULATOR

ESTIMATE
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Enter a shipment to get benchmarks

Fill in origin, destination, mode, and weight — then click Calculate. Results appear here in under a second.

Rate Breakdown (Estimated)

12-Month Rate Index

National LTL Index · Illustrative

AI-generated estimate. Not professional advice. Rates vary by carrier and shipment details. Learn more

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Understanding LTL vs. FTL Freight Rates

Freight rates are one of the most volatile costs in supply chain operations, often fluctuating 15–40% between seasons. Understanding what drives rates—and benchmarking your rates against the market—can represent hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual savings for mid-sized operators.

LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) Rates

LTL freight is priced per hundred pounds (CWT — hundredweight). Your shipment shares trailer space with other shippers' freight, which reduces cost but increases transit time. LTL rates depend on shipment weight, freight class (NMFC classification based on density, stow-ability, handling, and liability), origin-destination lane, and accessorial charges (liftgate, residential delivery, inside delivery, etc.).

Typical LTL shipments range from 150 to 15,000 lbs. Below 150 lbs, parcel (UPS/FedEx) is usually cheaper. Above 10,000–15,000 lbs, full truckload becomes more cost-effective. LTL fuel surcharges fluctuate with diesel prices — check the EIA Weekly Diesel Survey or your carrier's current fuel surcharge table for the most current rates.

FTL (Full Truckload) Rates

FTL rates are quoted per mile or as an all-in load rate for a specific lane. Rates vary significantly with market conditions, season, and lane. Peak seasons — produce season (Apr–Jun) and retail peak (Oct–Dec) — typically push rates 15–25% above off-peak levels. For current market rates, DAT Trendlines provides regularly updated data on spot and contract markets.

Ocean Freight Benchmarks

For imports, ocean freight is quoted as FCL (Full Container Load — you book a 20' or 40' container) or LCL (Less than Container Load — shared container). Ocean rates are highly volatile, driven by global demand, port congestion, and geopolitical events. The Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) tracks spot container rates on major trade lanes and is publicly available at freightos.com for current reference data.

How to Use This Freight Rate Benchmarking Tool

Enter your origin, destination, shipping mode, and weight. The tool provides illustrative reference estimates to give you a starting point for carrier negotiations. These are not current market quotes — use them as directional context only. Always request actual quotes from carriers before making pricing decisions.

For specific carrier quotes on a lane, use the Carrier Match tool to connect with carriers who can provide real quotes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average LTL freight rate in 2026?
As a general reference, LTL rates for standard dry goods on regional lanes (500–1,000 miles) have historically ranged from approximately $25–$36 per hundredweight (CWT), with cross-country lanes typically higher. These are illustrative ranges only — actual rates depend heavily on freight class, lane density, carrier type, and current market conditions. Always request current quotes directly from carriers. Published benchmarks like DAT Trendlines provide current market data if you need verified figures.
How do I benchmark my freight costs?
Enter your origin, destination, mode, and shipment weight into this calculator. If you enter your current carrier rate, the tool will show you how it compares to the market average and estimate your annual over/underpayment. For the most accurate benchmarking, compare rates across at least 3 carriers on each lane using the Carrier Match tool.
What is freight class and how does it affect my rate?
Freight class (NMFC class) is a standardized classification system that determines LTL pricing. Classes range from 50 (densest, cheapest per cwt) to 500 (least dense, most expensive). Class is determined by density (weight ÷ cubic feet), stow-ability, handling difficulty, and liability. Electronics typically fall in Class 70–100, while standard dry goods are Class 50–65. A Class 100 shipment may cost 40–60% more per cwt than a Class 55 shipment of the same weight.
How much does it cost to ship a full truckload (FTL)?
FTL rates vary significantly with market conditions, season, and specific lane. Historically, dry van rates have ranged from approximately $2.40–$3.20/mile nationally, with refrigerated (reefer) typically $0.40–$0.70/mile higher. Peak seasons (produce season and Q4 retail) generally push rates higher. For current rates on specific lanes, contact carriers directly or use a freight broker. Published benchmarks like DAT Trendlines provide current market data.
What is the Freightos Baltic Index?
The Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) is a benchmark for ocean container freight rates on major global trade lanes, similar to the Baltic Dry Index for bulk shipping. It tracks spot container rates (in USD per container) on lanes like China–US West Coast, China–US East Coast, China–Europe, and 11 other routes. Updated weekly, it's widely used by shippers and supply chain teams to monitor ocean freight market conditions.
When are freight rates highest?
LTL and FTL rates are typically highest in two periods: (1) Spring produce season (April–June), when agricultural volume floods the market and capacity tightens, especially in the Southeast and Midwest; and (2) Q4 retail peak (October–December), when holiday inventory moves. Ocean freight peaks in August–October as retailers import Q4 inventory. Rates are generally lowest in January–March (post-holiday) and July–August (mid-year lull).
How accurate is this freight rate calculator?
This tool provides illustrative reference estimates based on historical market data and publicly available industry ranges. The estimates are meant as a starting point for conversations with carriers — not as binding market quotes. Actual rates will vary significantly based on your specific lane, carrier, timing, shipment size, and contract vs. spot market conditions. Always request actual quotes from multiple carriers before making pricing decisions. This tool does not connect to live freight data feeds.

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