Getting an LTL freight quote sounds simple until you’ve done it a few times and realized that two quotes for the same shipment can look nothing alike. Carrier A is $400. Carrier B is $700. Both are for the same origin, destination, and freight. What’s going on?
Here’s how LTL pricing actually works, what information you need to get an accurate quote, and why the numbers move the way they do.
What You Need to Provide to Get an LTL Quote
“Garbage in, garbage out” applies here. The more accurate your shipment details, the more accurate your quote and the less likely you are to get a billing correction after delivery.
- Origin and destination ZIP codes (or city/state)
- Number of pallets or pieces
- Dimensions of each pallet or piece (length x width x height in inches)
- Total weight
- Freight class, or the commodity description to determine it
- Pickup and delivery requirements (residential, liftgate, appointment, inside delivery, etc.)
- Whether the freight is hazmat
The freight class and accessorial requirements are where most surprise costs come from. Get those right upfront.
How Freight Class Works (And Why It Matters So Much)
LTL pricing is built on the NMFC freight classification system, a standard that assigns freight to one of 18 classes (50 through 500) based on four factors: density, stowability, ease of handling, and liability.
Density is the most significant driver. Dense, heavy, compact freight, like machinery, building materials, or canned goods, gets lower classes and costs less to ship per pound. Light, bulky freight, like furniture, clothing, or assembled products in large boxes, gets higher classes and costs significantly more.
The gap between a class 50 and a class 150 shipment can be 200–300% in price for the same weight and lane. This is the most common area where shippers get surprised by their actual invoice vs. their quote.
What Accessorial Charges Are and How to Anticipate Them
Accessorial charges are additional fees applied to a shipment beyond the base linehaul rate. They’re legitimate, but they catch shippers off guard when they’re not included in the original quote. Common ones:
- Liftgate pickup or delivery: Required when there’s no loading dock. Usually $50–$150 each way.
- Residential delivery: If the consignee address is a home or home-based business, carriers charge a residential fee.
- Inside delivery: Freight delivered inside a building rather than to the dock.
- Limited access delivery: Locations with restricted carrier access, such as schools, churches, construction sites, military bases.
- Appointment delivery: Scheduling a specific delivery window.
- Fuel surcharge: Applied to every shipment and fluctuates with diesel prices.
When you request a quote, be specific about delivery requirements. If you’re not sure whether a location qualifies as residential or limited access, ask.
Why Two Quotes for the Same Shipment Look Different
LTL carriers each have their own base rate tariffs, discount structures, and minimum charges. A 3PL or broker negotiates volume-based discounts with carriers, which is why their pricing is typically better than what you’d get calling a carrier directly.
The other variable is lane coverage. Not every carrier has strong coverage on every lane. A carrier with heavy density between Chicago and Dallas will offer competitive pricing there; a carrier whose network is built around the Southeast won’t. A 3PL with multiple carrier options selects the right carrier for each specific lane.
Spot Quotes vs. Contract Rates
If you’re requesting a quote for a one-time or occasional shipment, you’re getting a spot rate. Spot rates fluctuate with market conditions; capacity, fuel costs, and seasonal demand all move the number.
If you’re shipping on the same lanes regularly, it’s worth asking your 3PL about contracted rates. Contracted rates provide pricing stability and are usually meaningfully lower than spot for regular freight. The tradeoff is a volume commitment.
How to Use a Freight Calculator (And Its Limits)
Online freight cost calculators can give you a rough ballpark, but they have real limitations: they typically don’t account for accessorials, don’t reflect carrier-specific discounts, and can’t verify freight class. Use them for budgeting. For actual shipping decisions, work with a 3PL who can give you carrier-specific quotes with accessorials included.