Cost Calculator AI
Shipping, Logistics & WarehousingFull Truckload

FTL Freight Cost Calculator

Calculate Full Truckload (FTL) linehaul costs across 53-ft dry van, refrigerated reefer, and flatbed equipment including deadhead miles, stop-offs, and driver detention.

Full Truckload (FTL) Route & Equipment

Total FTL Freight

$2,575.00

$3.43 / loaded mile

Loaded Linehaul

$1,875.00

750 revenue miles

Total Fuel Surcharge

$360.00

800 total miles × $0.45

Stops & Detention

$250.00

1 stop + 2 hrs detention

Full Truckload Freight Formula

FTL Cost = (\text{Loaded Miles} \times \text{Rate/Mile}) + (\text{Deadhead Miles} \times \text{Deadhead Rate}) + \text{Fuel} + \text{Stops} + \text{Detention}
  • Equipment Multipliers: Dry Van (1.0× baseline), Reefer temperature-controlled (~1.18×), Flatbed (~1.12×).
  • Loaded Miles: Direct transit distance from shipper pickup dock to consignee receiver.
  • Deadhead Miles: Uncompensated empty repositioning miles required to position equipment.
  • Stop-Off Charges: Contract fee charged for intermediate multi-stop drop deliveries (typically \$75 to \$150/stop).
  • Driver Detention: Hourly demurrage fee billed when loading or unloading exceeds the standard 2 free hours.

Step-by-Step Worked Example

Scenario: Booking a 53-ft Dry Van for 750 loaded miles and 50 deadhead miles at \$2.50/loaded mile with \$0.45/mile fuel surcharge, 1 extra drop stop, and 2 detention hours

Calculation Steps:

  1. Linehaul Cost = 750 miles × \$2.50 = \$1,875.00
  2. Deadhead Cost = 50 miles × \$1.80 = \$90.00
  3. Total Miles = 750 + 50 = 800 miles
  4. Fuel Surcharge = 800 miles × \$0.45 = \$360.00
  5. Stop-Off Charge = 1 × \$100.00 = \$100.00
  6. Driver Detention = 2 hours × \$75.00 = \$150.00
  7. Total FTL Freight Cost = \$1,875 + \$90 + \$360 + \$100 + \$150 = \$2,575.00
Result: Total dedicated FTL freight cost is \$2,575.00, resulting in an effective rate of \$3.43 per loaded mile.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. 1Select your trailer equipment type (Dry Van, Refrigerated Reefer, or Flatbed).
  2. 2Enter loaded transit miles and any carrier deadhead miles.
  3. 3Input the negotiated contract linehaul rate per mile and fuel surcharge rate.
  4. 4Add multi-stop drops or driver detention hours beyond the 2-hour free window.

Assumptions & Limitations

  • Standard 53-ft dry van capacity accommodates up to 45,000 lbs payload and 26 standard pallet floor spots.
  • Standard carrier contracts allow 2 free hours for loading and 2 free hours for unloading before detention kicks in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are reefer freight rates higher than dry van rates?

Refrigerated (reefer) trailers require heavy insulation, continuous diesel refrigeration unit runtime (burns 0.7 to 1.2 gal/hr), specialized telematics temperature tracking, and carry higher insurance claims risk for spoiled perishables.

What is driver detention in trucking?

Detention is an hourly fee (typically \$50 to \$100/hr) billed to the shipper or receiver when a commercial truck driver is detained at a facility loading dock beyond the standard 2 free hours allowed by contract.

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