How Are LTL (Less Than Truckload) Shipping Rates Calculated?

Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping is the ideal choice when your freight doesn’t fill a full truck. Instead of paying for empty space, your shipment shares the trailer with others. This makes LTL shipping a budget-friendly and flexible option for smaller loads.

With Freightzy, managing LTL shipping is simple, fast, and stress-free.

What Determines Your LTL Shipping Rate

LTL shipping rates depend on three primary factors:

Shipment Weight
Heavier loads generally cost more, but sharing space with other shipments helps reduce the cost per pound.

Shipping Distance
Longer distances increase rates due to greater fuel use, driver time, and delivery logistics.

Freight Class
Freight class is a standardized system used to categorize freight based on:

• Density – How compact or bulky your shipment is

• Value – The monetary worth of the goods

• Handling Requirements – Any special care or equipment needed

• Liability – The risk of damage or theft during transit

Need help? Use our Freight Class Calculator to determine your class quickly. Still unsure? Reach out at cs@freightzy.com and we’ll walk you through it.

Why Accurate Freight Classification Matters

Getting your freight class wrong can result in billing disputes and surprise charges. Freightzy simplifies this by assigning the correct NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) code to your profile once your shipment is booked.

This ensures transparency, reduces errors, and helps you plan your costs more accurately.

Understanding Accessorial Services

Your shipment may require extra services, known as accessorials, depending on the pickup or delivery location. Common examples include:

• Liftgate Service – For loading or unloading heavy freight when a loading dock isn’t available

• Limited Access Delivery – For deliveries to hard-to-reach places like schools, offices, or construction sites

Booking accessorials in advance helps you avoid delays and unexpected fees. Not sure what you need? Our team will help you figure it out.

Save More with Freightzy

We start all customers with competitive LTL shipping rates. After just a few months of regular shipping, we use your shipment history to negotiate deeper discounts with top carriers—saving your business even more over time.

Let Freightzy Simplify Your Shipping

Need help with freight rates, classification, or booking services? Freightzy makes it easy. Get in touch with our team today and streamline your LTL shipping process.