Ltl Freight Quote Calculator

LTL Freight Quote Estimator

Typically 50 to 500. Higher class = higher cost.
Cost per 100 lbs. This is a crucial input for estimation.

Accessorial Services (Optional)

Estimated LTL Freight Cost:

$0.00
function calculateLTLQuote() { var originZip = document.getElementById("originZip").value; var destinationZip = document.getElementById("destinationZip").value; var freightClass = parseFloat(document.getElementById("freightClass").value); var totalWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("totalWeight").value); var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById("length").value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById("width").value); var height = parseFloat(document.getElementById("height").value); var baseRateCWT = parseFloat(document.getElementById("baseRateCWT").value); var discount = parseFloat(document.getElementById("discount").value); var liftgateCost = document.getElementById("liftgateDelivery").checked ? parseFloat(document.getElementById("liftgateDelivery").value) : 0; var residentialCost = document.getElementById("residentialDelivery").checked ? parseFloat(document.getElementById("residentialDelivery").value) : 0; var insideCost = document.getElementById("insideDelivery").checked ? parseFloat(document.getElementById("insideDelivery").value) : 0; var hazmatCost = document.getElementById("hazmatFee").checked ? parseFloat(document.getElementById("hazmatFee").value) : 0; // Input validation if (isNaN(freightClass) || freightClass 500) { document.getElementById("result").innerText = "Please enter a valid Freight Class (50-500)."; document.getElementById("densityResult").innerText = ""; return; } if (isNaN(totalWeight) || totalWeight <= 0) { document.getElementById("result").innerText = "Please enter a valid Total Weight."; document.getElementById("densityResult").innerText = ""; return; } if (isNaN(length) || length <= 0 || isNaN(width) || width <= 0 || isNaN(height) || height <= 0) { document.getElementById("result").innerText = "Please enter valid dimensions (Length, Width, Height)."; document.getElementById("densityResult").innerText = ""; return; } if (isNaN(baseRateCWT) || baseRateCWT <= 0) { document.getElementById("result").innerText = "Please enter a valid Base Rate per CWT."; document.getElementById("densityResult").innerText = ""; return; } if (isNaN(discount) || discount 100) { document.getElementById("result").innerText = "Please enter a valid Discount percentage (0-100)."; document.getElementById("densityResult").innerText = ""; return; } // Calculate Cubic Feet var cubicFeet = (length * width * height) / 1728; // 1728 cubic inches in 1 cubic foot // Calculate Density (lbs per cubic foot) var density = totalWeight / cubicFeet; // Base Cost Calculation var baseCost = (totalWeight / 100) * baseRateCWT; // Adjust for Freight Class (simplified: higher class, higher multiplier) // This is a simplified model. Real-world class impact is more complex. var classMultiplier = 1 + ((freightClass – 50) / 450) * 0.5; // Example: Class 50 = 1x, Class 500 = 1.5x baseCost *= classMultiplier; // Apply Discount var discountedBaseCost = baseCost * (1 – (discount / 100)); // Add Accessorials var totalAccessorials = liftgateCost + residentialCost + insideCost + hazmatCost; // Total Estimated Cost var totalEstimatedCost = discountedBaseCost + totalAccessorials; document.getElementById("result").innerText = "$" + totalEstimatedCost.toFixed(2); document.getElementById("densityResult").innerText = "Calculated Density: " + density.toFixed(2) + " lbs/cu ft"; } .calculator-container { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 25px; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); max-width: 700px; margin: 30px auto; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; } .calculator-form .form-group { margin-bottom: 15px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; } .calculator-form label { font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 5px; color: #333; } .calculator-form input[type="number"], .calculator-form input[type="text"] { padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 1em; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; } .calculator-form input[type="checkbox"] { margin-right: 10px; transform: scale(1.2); } .calculator-form .checkbox-group { flex-direction: row; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 10px; } .calculator-form small { font-size: 0.85em; color: #666; margin-top: 5px; } .calculator-form button { background-color: #007bff; color: white; padding: 12px 25px; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 1.1em; cursor: pointer; transition: background-color 0.3s ease; width: 100%; margin-top: 20px; } .calculator-form button:hover { background-color: #0056b3; } .calculator-result { margin-top: 25px; padding: 20px; background-color: #eaf7ed; border: 1px solid #d4edda; border-radius: 8px; text-align: center; } .calculator-result h3 { color: #28a745; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; }

Understanding LTL Freight Shipping and How to Get a Quote

Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight shipping is a cost-effective solution for businesses that need to transport goods that don't require a full 48-foot or 53-foot trailer. Instead of paying for an entire truck, LTL allows multiple shippers to share space on the same trailer, paying only for the portion of the truck their freight occupies. This makes it an ideal choice for shipments ranging from 150 lbs to 15,000 lbs.

Key Factors Influencing LTL Freight Costs

Getting an accurate LTL freight quote involves several variables. Our calculator simplifies this process by focusing on the most critical elements:

1. Freight Class (NMFC)

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) assigns a Freight Class (also known as NMFC code) to nearly every type of commodity. This classification system categorizes goods based on four transportation characteristics:

  • Density: The weight per cubic foot of the item. Higher density generally means a lower freight class.
  • Stowability: How easily the freight can be loaded and transported with other goods. Hazardous materials or oddly shaped items might be less stowable.
  • Handling: The ease of handling. Fragile, perishable, or extremely heavy items might require special handling.
  • Liability: The likelihood of theft, damage, or spoilage, and the value per pound. High-value or easily damaged goods have higher liability.

Freight classes range from 50 (least expensive, high density) to 500 (most expensive, low density). Knowing your freight class is crucial for an accurate quote.

2. Weight

The total weight of your shipment is a primary driver of LTL costs. Carriers typically price freight based on weight breaks, with the cost per hundredweight (CWT) decreasing as the total weight increases. Our calculator uses your total weight to determine the base cost.

3. Dimensions (Length, Width, Height)

The dimensions of your shipment (length, width, and height in inches) are used to calculate its cubic feet and, subsequently, its density. While our calculator allows you to input a freight class directly, understanding density is key to verifying or determining the correct class. Larger dimensions for a given weight can lead to a higher freight class and thus higher costs, as the freight takes up more space on the trailer.

4. Origin and Destination Zip Codes (Lane)

The distance and specific geographic lane between your origin and destination zip codes significantly impact the shipping cost. Longer distances and less common routes typically incur higher charges. While our calculator includes these inputs for context, the base rate per CWT you enter should reflect the specific lane's pricing.

5. Base Rate per CWT

This is the fundamental rate a carrier charges per hundred pounds (CWT) for a specific freight class and lane. These rates are often negotiated or based on carrier tariffs. Our calculator requires you to input this rate, as it's the core component of the base shipping cost.

6. Carrier Discount

Many LTL carriers offer discounts off their published base rates, especially to frequent shippers or those with negotiated contracts. This percentage discount can significantly reduce your overall shipping cost.

7. Accessorial Services

These are additional services beyond standard dock-to-dock transportation and come with extra fees. Common accessorials include:

  • Liftgate Service: Required if either the origin or destination location doesn't have a loading dock and needs a liftgate to load/unload freight from the truck.
  • Residential Delivery: Delivering to a residential address, which often involves smaller trucks and more complex navigation.
  • Inside Delivery: When the driver is required to move the freight beyond the immediate receiving area, such as into a specific room or office.
  • Hazmat Fee: For shipping hazardous materials, which require special handling, documentation, and compliance.
  • Limited Access Delivery: For locations like schools, construction sites, or military bases.
  • Re-delivery: If the initial delivery attempt fails.

Our calculator includes some common accessorials with typical costs for estimation purposes.

How to Use the LTL Freight Quote Estimator

  1. Enter Origin & Destination Zip Codes: Provide the starting and ending points for your shipment.
  2. Input Freight Class: Determine your freight's NMFC class. If unsure, you might need to calculate density or consult a freight class guide.
  3. Enter Total Weight: The combined weight of all items in your shipment.
  4. Provide Dimensions: Measure the length, width, and height of your palletized or crated freight in inches.
  5. Specify Base Rate per CWT: This is a critical input. You'll typically get this from a carrier quote or your freight broker.
  6. Apply Carrier Discount: Enter any percentage discount you receive from your carrier.
  7. Select Accessorial Services: Check any additional services your shipment requires.
  8. Click "Calculate Quote": The estimator will provide an estimated total cost and the calculated density of your freight.

Important Disclaimer

This LTL Freight Quote Estimator provides an approximation of shipping costs. Actual rates can vary significantly based on the specific carrier, current fuel surcharges, market conditions, specific lane pricing, and other factors not included in this simplified model. Always obtain a direct quote from your chosen LTL carrier or freight broker for precise pricing.

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