Freight shipping cost
There is no flat price for freight — the same pallet can cost very different amounts depending on a handful of inputs. The good news: those inputs are knowable, so you can estimate the cost and pull real levers to lower it.
What drives freight shipping cost
- Freight class & density — for LTL, the biggest factor. Denser freight = lower class = lower rate.
- Weight & dimensions — carriers bill the greater of actual and dimensional weight, so a light, bulky box can cost more than a heavy one.
- Lane & distance — origin and destination ZIPs and how far apart they are.
- Mode — parcel, LTL, partial or full truckload; the right mode can swing the price a lot.
- Accessorials — liftgate, residential, inside delivery, appointments — each a fixed add-on.
- Fuel surcharge — a percentage that tracks diesel prices.
How to estimate your freight cost
You can’t price a lane without quoting it, but you can nail every input a carrier needs so the quote comes back accurate. Work out your freight class and chargeable weight, total your volume if you’re shipping internationally, then build one request and send it to several carriers with the freight quote builder. Because every carrier gets identical numbers, the quotes you get back are a real, comparable cost range.
How to lower it
Most of the cost is in your hands. Ship dense, right-size your packaging, consolidate onto fewer pallets, drop accessorials you don’t need, and compare carriers fairly. Our pillar guide walks through it: 8 ways to lower your LTL freight costs.
Freight cost FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a pallet?
It depends on freight class, weight, the lane and accessorials, so there is no single number — but class and distance move it the most. Calculate your freight class first, then quote a few carriers on identical numbers to see a real range for your shipment.
What is the biggest factor in freight cost?
For LTL it is freight class, which is driven by density (weight ÷ volume). A denser shipment rates a lower class and a lower rate. For parcel and air it is dimensional weight. For full truckload it is the lane and distance.
How can I lower my freight shipping cost?
Ship denser, right-size packaging to cut dimensional weight, consolidate onto fewer pallets, drop unneeded accessorials, and compare carriers on the same shipment profile. See our full guide to lowering LTL costs.