LTL Freight Cost Calculator
Estimate Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight costs factoring pallet count, CzarLite tariff discounts, minimum charge floors, fuel surcharges, and liftgate services.
LTL Pallet & Contract Discount Setup
Total LTL Freight
$270.00
$135.00 / pallet
Net Linehaul
$150.00
Minimum floor applied
Total Accessorials
$90.00
Liftgate + Notify
Fuel Surcharge
$30.00
20% on net linehaul
LTL Freight Rate Formula
LTL Total = \max(\text{Minimum Charge Floor}, \text{Gross Tariff} \times (1 - \text{Discount})) + \text{Fuel Surcharge} + \text{Accessorials}- Gross Tariff: Baseline benchmark tariff rate (e.g. CzarLite) based on CWT, class, and zip-to-zip lane.
- Carrier Discount: Negotiated commercial contract discount (typically 70% to 85% off benchmark tariffs).
- Minimum Charge (MC): Absolute contract floor preventing low-weight shipments from falling below carrier cost.
- Accessorials: Liftgate service, delivery appointment, residential, or limited-access delivery.
Step-by-Step Worked Example
Calculation Steps:
- Gross Tariff Linehaul = 9 CWT × \$45.00 = \$405.00
- Discounted Net Linehaul (25%) = \$405.00 × 0.25 = \$101.25
- Minimum Floor Applied = \$150.00 (since \$101.25 < \$150.00 floor)
- Fuel Surcharge (20%) = \$150.00 × 0.20 = \$30.00
- Accessorials = \$65.00 (Liftgate) + \$25.00 (Notify) = \$90.00
- Total LTL Freight Cost = \$150.00 + \$30.00 + \$90.00 = \$270.00
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter the number of pallets and total shipment weight.
- 2Specify your negotiated LTL contract discount percentage (typically 70-85%).
- 3Input the carrier minimum charge floor and fuel surcharge rate.
- 4Select whether destination delivery requires liftgate equipment.
Assumptions & Limitations
- LTL freight applies to shipments weighing between 150 lbs and 10,000 lbs (1 to 6 pallets).
- Carrier minimum charge overrides linehaul calculations whenever discounted linehaul is lower.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I choose LTL instead of FTL?
LTL is ideal when shipping 1 to 6 pallets weighing under 10,000 to 12,000 pounds. Once your shipment exceeds 10 pallets or 15,000 pounds, booking a dedicated Full Truckload (FTL) is often cheaper and faster.
What is a liftgate service in LTL shipping?
A liftgate is a hydraulic platform on the back of the freight truck used to raise and lower cargo from trailer floor height to street level when the pickup or delivery location lacks an elevated loading dock or forklift.
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