Freight Estimate

To get one, gather the shipment details first: pickup and delivery addresses or ZIP codes, the ready time and deadline, the number of pieces, and the weight and dimensions of each piece, including pallets. Then request an estimate from a freight broker or carrier through an online form, email or phone call. Online calculators give quick numbers for standard freight, while urgent or unusual shipments are usually reviewed by a person. Comparing estimates on the same details gives the clearest picture of your options.

A freight estimate needs the origin and destination, the ready time and delivery deadline, the number of pieces, and the weight, length, width and height of each piece. A description of the commodity, how it is packaged, whether it can be stacked and whether hazardous materials are included also matter. Access details, such as whether there is a loading dock or a liftgate is needed, and whether the address is a business or a residence, help make the estimate accurate from the start.

The main factors that affect the cost of freight shipping are distance, weight, size, the mode of transport and how fast the freight must arrive. Dense freight that is easy to handle usually costs less to move than light, bulky freight. Dedicated vehicles and air freight cost more than shared or scheduled services but arrive faster. Fuel prices, market demand and capacity also move costs up and down. Extra services, such as liftgates or inside delivery, add to the total.

How long freight shipping takes depends on the mode and distance. LTL freight moves through terminals and usually takes the longest, especially across the country. Full truckload goes direct but follows driving limits, so long distances take several days. Expedited ground drives straight through and can cover regional lanes overnight. Flying is fastest over long distances, with next flight out and air charter able to deliver the same day or overnight. Pickup timing, cutoffs and weekends also affect transit.

To estimate transit time, start with the distance and the mode. Then add the time for pickup, any terminal or airport handling, and final delivery. For air freight, check whether the freight can reach the airline before the flight's cutoff. For ground freight, consider driving limits and whether the shipment stops at terminals. Weekends and holidays can add days for some services. The simplest approach is to give a broker the ready time and deadline and ask which options meet it.

The cheapest way to ship freight is usually LTL for a few pallets with a flexible delivery date, and full truckload for large shipments that fill most of a trailer. Deferred air can be economical for small, light freight that can wait for available space. Cheaper options trade cost for time, with more handling and less certainty about the delivery date. The best value is the least costly option that still meets the deadline, because a missed deadline often costs more than faster freight.

Dimensional weight is a way of charging for the space a shipment takes up rather than only its actual weight. It is calculated by multiplying length, width and height in inches and dividing by a set number, commonly 166 for domestic air shipments. For example, a 48 by 40 by 48 inch pallet has a dimensional weight of about 555 pounds. If the pallet weighs only 300 pounds, it is charged as 555 pounds. Dimensional weight mainly affects light, bulky freight.

Chargeable weight is the weight used to calculate the cost of a shipment by air. It is the greater of the actual weight and the dimensional weight. Dense freight, such as metal parts, is charged on its actual weight, while light, bulky freight, such as foam products or empty containers, is charged on its dimensional weight. Knowing the chargeable weight helps shippers compare estimates for flights and decide whether repacking freight into smaller boxes or pallets would lower the cost.

Freight class is a standard classification used mainly for LTL shipments to group freight by how easy it is to transport. It ranges from class 50 to class 500 and is based on density, how easy the freight is to stow and handle, and its liability for damage or theft. Denser freight that is easy to handle falls into lower classes and costs less to ship. Freight class does not usually apply to full truckload, expedited ground or air shipments, which use weight, size and distance.

A freight invoice can be higher than the estimate when the shipment differs from the details used to create it. Common reasons include a higher weight or larger dimensions found at reweighing, extra services added at pickup or delivery, such as a liftgate or inside delivery, waiting time at a dock, an address change, a missed pickup or a different freight class. Giving accurate measurements, access needs and timing at booking, and confirming them before pickup, prevents most differences. A quick photo of the freight with a tape measure in view also helps settle any later questions.

Freight prices move with demand, capacity and fuel costs, so they change throughout the year. In late 2026, air freight rates were well above the previous year, with higher jet fuel prices and strong peak-season demand pushing them up. Truck capacity was also tighter than a year earlier. When prices are rising, estimates may only hold for a short time, so shippers benefit from requesting estimates early, booking promptly and keeping more than one mode in view. Watching current market reports gives a sense of where prices are heading before you request a quote.