FTL costs vary widely based on distance, lane balance, equipment type, market conditions, and accessorial fees. Two quotes for the same route can look completely different depending on what's included.
This article breaks down current FTL pricing ranges, the components that make up a quote, the factors driving rate changes, and how to get an accurate, competitive quote without overpaying.
Key Takeaways
- Dry-van spot rates ran near $2.37 to $3.00 per mile all-in nationally as of mid-2026, per DAT.
- Fuel surcharges, mileage, market capacity, and accessorials drive most rate swings.
- FTL suits shipments over 10,000 pounds or 10-12 pallets; smaller loads usually cost less via LTL.
- A broker with a large, vetted carrier network, like Sims Global Solutions, secures transparent, competitive FTL pricing.
How Much Does FTL Freight Cost? (Pricing Overview)
There's no fixed price tag for FTL freight. Every quote gets calculated fresh based on the lane, weight, equipment needed, and how soon you need it moved.
Shippers commonly make a few costly mistakes when reviewing quotes:
- Assuming the quote is final: most quotes exclude fuel surcharges and accessorials until booking
- Ignoring add-on charges: liftgate, detention, or inside delivery fees can add hundreds of dollars
- Skipping comparison shopping: accepting the first quote without checking two or three others
Typical Cost Ranges by Distance
Rate behavior shifts depending on how far the freight travels:
- Short-haul (under 250 miles): DAT excludes these lanes from its national index; limited daily mileage and frequent stops reduce truck productivity, pushing per-mile pricing higher than on longer hauls.
- Mid-distance (250-750 miles): This band falls within DAT's published benchmark of $2.37/mile linehaul to $3.00/mile all-in for dry van freight of 250+ miles.
- Long-haul (750+ miles): Also captured in that same 250+ mile index, though rates often trend lower as fixed costs like loading and dispatch spread across more distance.
These figures reflect base linehaul pricing. Fuel surcharges, detention, and accessorials get added separately, which is why the number you see first isn't the number you'll pay.
Cost Breakdown of an FTL Quote
An FTL quote isn't one number. It's a stack of charges that FreightWaves identifies as three principal components: linehaul, fuel surcharge, and accessorials. Understanding each piece, plus optional extras like cargo insurance, explains why identical lanes can price differently between carriers.
Base Linehaul Rate This is the core, one-time charge for moving your load from origin to destination. It's calculated by mileage and market rate for that specific lane.
Fuel Surcharge This is a recurring, variable charge tied to national diesel pricing, so it shifts as fuel costs change. Carriers adjust this regularly, sometimes weekly, based on index movement.
Accessorial Charges Carriers add variable fees for extra services, such as:
- Liftgate service
- Detention (waiting time beyond free hours)
- Inside delivery
- Residential delivery
- Storage
Cargo Insurance/Liability Coverage This optional coverage adds protection for high-value freight and is priced separately from the base quote.
The gap between DAT Freight & Analytics' June 2026 all-in rate ($3.00/mile) and its linehaul-only rate ($2.37/mile) shows how much fuel surcharges alone can add. Stack accessorials on top, and two "identical" quotes for the same lane can differ by hundreds of dollars depending on what each carrier includes upfront.
Key Factors That Affect FTL Freight Rates
FTL pricing depends on a mix of technical, operational, and market-driven variables that shift week to week.
Distance & Trucking Lane
Mileage drives cost directly, but lane balance matters just as much. DAT distinguishes between headhaul markets, where outbound demand exceeds capacity and rates run higher, and backhaul markets, where excess carrier supply gives shippers more negotiating power.
A real example: FreightWaves tracked Chicago-to-Atlanta contract rates running 22% above spot pricing in July 2023. By late October, that gap narrowed to just 6% as Chicago's outbound volume rose 8% while Atlanta's fell 6%. Lane imbalance alone accounted for that swing, even in a soft overall market.
Fuel Surcharges
Carriers tie fuel surcharges to the national on-highway diesel index published weekly by the EIA, which showed diesel at $5.134 per gallon for the week of July 20, 2026. Because EIA doesn't set surcharge formulas, baseline prices and per-mile increments vary by carrier agreement. That means your surcharge could shift week to week even if your lane and volume stay identical.
Market Capacity & Seasonality
When truck supply tightens relative to shipment demand, rates climb. Produce season is a classic example. DAT documented Florida reefer and dry-van rates jumping from an average $800 to $1,200 per load during one 2023 stretch, a 50% increase driven by seasonal capacity strain.
Winter weather does the same thing fast. During Winter Storm Fern in January 2026, the national tender rejection rate jumped from 9.75% to 12.19% in a single week, a clear signal of sudden capacity contraction.
Freight Class, Weight & Equipment Type
Equipment type changes pricing per mile:
- Dry van — standard enclosed trailer, no temperature control
- Reefer — refrigerated for temperature-sensitive freight
- Flatbed — open deck for oversized or irregular cargo
- Step-deck — for freight too tall for standard flatbeds
June 2026 national benchmarks show the spread clearly: dry van at $3.00/mile, reefer at $3.39/mile, and flatbed at $3.69/mile, all including fuel. Weight and dimensions factor in too, since oversized or overweight loads often require specialized trailers or permits.
Timing & Flexibility
Rush shipments cost more. Carriers charge a premium for expedited pickup or delivery windows because it limits their ability to plan efficient routes. Flexible pickup and delivery dates, on the other hand, give carriers room to slot your load into existing capacity, often at a lower rate.
Accessorial Charges
Common add-ons that stack onto the base quote:
- Liftgate service for non-dock deliveries
- Inside delivery beyond the truck's tailgate
- After-hours or weekend pickup and delivery
- Detention fees for extended loading or unloading time
Each of these should be disclosed before booking, not discovered on the invoice.
How to Get the Best FTL Freight Quote
Getting a competitive, accurate FTL quote comes down to preparation and comparison. Here's what actually moves the needle:
- Plan ahead. Booking shipments further in advance gives carriers time to match capacity efficiently, which typically results in better pricing than last-minute requests.
- Provide complete shipment details upfront. Weight, dimensions, commodity type, and special handling needs all affect pricing. Missing details lead to re-quotes or surprise fees after pickup.
- Compare multiple quotes. Never book the first offer. Rates for the same lane can vary meaningfully between carriers and brokers.
- Negotiate accessorials before booking. If you know you need liftgate service or inside delivery, say so upfront so it's baked into the quote, not added after.
- Watch market and fuel trends. Timing shipments during lower-demand windows, when possible, can substantially reduce costs.
Working with a broker that has real depth in its carrier network changes the equation here. Sims Global Solutions brings several advantages to the quoting process:
- 150,000+ vetted carriers in its overall network, including a dedicated pool of 35,000+ truckload carriers
- Proprietary SimsTrak TMS that pulls multiple carrier quotes side by side, comparing rates, transit times, and accessorial costs in one place
- Hybrid asset model with owned RGN, lowboy, and multi-axle trailers that add extra capacity when standard truckload availability tightens
That combination gives shippers leverage pure brokerages often can't match, especially when capacity gets tight during high-demand periods.
FTL vs LTL: Which Option Fits Your Budget?
Choosing between FTL and LTL comes down to volume, timing, and how much handling risk your freight can tolerate.
FTL makes sense when:
- Your shipment fills most or all of a trailer
- Freight is time-sensitive or fragile and can't handle multiple touchpoints
- You want to avoid consolidation risk that comes with shared trailer space
LTL makes sense when:
- You're shipping partial loads or smaller volumes
- Cost per pound matters more than transit speed
- Your freight can move through a standard network without special care
FreightWaves Ratings offers a useful screening benchmark: FTL typically becomes the more economical option once a shipment exceeds 10,000 pounds or fills 10-12 pallets. Below that threshold, LTL pricing based on space and weight used usually wins out. That said, lane specifics and actual carrier quotes still determine which mode saves more money for your exact shipment.
This is where working with a multi-modal provider pays off. Sims Global Solutions offers both FTL and LTL under one account, so shippers can switch modes shipment-by-shipment based on what's most cost-effective, without vetting a new vendor every time volume changes.
Conclusion
FTL freight rates move based on distance, fuel costs, market capacity, and accessorial charges, and none of those variables stay static for long. Understanding how each piece factors into your quote is what separates accurate budgeting from constant surprises on your invoice.
The right FTL rate balances cost, carrier reliability, and service quality for your specific freight, not just the lowest number on the page. Sims Global Solutions delivers that balance through a network of 150,000+ vetted carriers and real-time visibility via our SimsTrak platform, helping you land competitive FTL rates consistently, shipment after shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an FTL quote?
An FTL quote is a carrier or broker's price estimate to move a shipment that fills an entire truck, based on distance, weight, equipment type, and any accessorial services required.
How is FTL freight priced?
FTL pricing combines a base linehaul rate, a fuel surcharge tied to diesel index movement, and applicable accessorial charges. Lane demand and market conditions influence the final number.
What is the average cost per mile for FTL shipping?
As of mid-2026, DAT reported dry-van spot rates averaging $3.00 per mile all-in, with linehaul-only pricing around $2.37 per mile. Rates shift regularly with fuel prices and capacity.
What's the difference between FTL and LTL costs?
FTL charges a flat or lane-based rate for the entire truck regardless of how full it is. LTL charges based on the space and weight your freight actually uses, making it cheaper for smaller loads.
What accessorial charges should I expect in an FTL quote?
Common accessorials include liftgate service, inside delivery, detention fees, and residential delivery. A transparent quote should disclose these upfront, not add them after booking.
How can I get a more accurate FTL freight quote?
Provide complete, accurate shipment details from the start, compare quotes from multiple carriers, and work with a broker like Sims Global Solutions, which taps a network of 150,000+ carriers, for transparent, competitive pricing.
