8 Ways to Lower Your LTL Freight Costs

An LTL bill is built from a few inputs, and most of them are in your hands. The eight levers below come from the rules in the carriers' own tariffs, the documents that decide what you are charged. None of them need a new contract. In short: get the class right, ship denser, keep stackable freight stackable, put the true weight on the bill of lading, and send every carrier the same numbers.

1. Get your freight class right

Class sets the rate per 100 lb, and for most freight it comes from density. Measure the loaded pallet, pallet included, weigh it, and check the class with the freight class calculator before you book, instead of copying a class from an old bill of lading.

2. Ship denser

Every pound you fit into the same space lowers the class, and a denser load is also less likely to trip the minimum charges below. Stack to a stable, level top, fill gaps, and put loose cartons on fewer, fuller pallets. The pallet calculator shows the best carton pattern for your pallet.

3. Stay clear of the low-density minimum

Every major LTL carrier charges big, light shipments as if each cubic foot weighed 6 lb. The line differs by carrier: Estes applies it to anything over 350 cubic feet, while XPO, Old Dominion and Saia start at 350 cubic feet for very light freight and at 750 for the rest, and FedEx Freight, TForce and R+L at 750. If your shipment is close to one of those lines, a little less height or a little more weight can keep it on the normal rate.

4. Don't mark stackable freight “do not stack”

When nothing can be loaded on top of your freight, carriers measure it at a fixed height instead of its real one: 84 inches at Estes and FedEx Freight, 95 inches at R+L, 96 inches at Old Dominion, and 8 feet at TForce. XPO measures anything 75 inches or taller at 96 inches. A 60-inch pallet billed as 84 or 96 inches is billed for air. Only use the label when the freight really can't take weight, and keep pallets under the carrier's height lines where you can.

5. Put the right weight and description on the bill of lading

Corrections cost money on top of the new charges: $50.70 at XPO, $44 at Saia, $40 at R+L and $25 at Estes for a weight that goes up 100 lb or more. A vague description is expensive too: XPO bills class 150 first, and Estes charges $20 to inspect. Weigh on a real scale and use the exact commodity description.

6. Watch the capacity-load lines

Past a certain length or weight, LTL carriers charge for the space as a block: from 14 to 21 feet of trailer or 15,000 to 20,000 lb, depending on the carrier. If your shipment is near those lines, ask for a volume LTL quote and a truckload quote as well. LTL vs FTL explains where each one wins.

7. Only pay for speed and extras you need

Guaranteed delivery is priced as a share of your linehaul: Saia, for example, adds 25% for delivery by 5 p.m., 35% by noon and 45% by 10 a.m. Extra services such as liftgate, residential delivery and appointments are each added on top. Book them when the shipment needs them, not by habit, and ship dock to dock where you can. Our guide to accessorial charges explains each one.

8. Quote several carriers with the same numbers

Rates differ a lot by carrier and lane, but a comparison only works when every carrier gets the same shipment. Build the request once in the freight quote builder and send it to several, so the prices come back line for line.