Understanding the factors that influence LTL freight rates can help you make informed decisions when it comes to shipping and optimize your logistics costs. In this blog post, we'll break down the various factors that impact LTL freight pricing and provide insights into how you can better manage your shipping expenses.
Factors Influencing LTL Freight Rates
- Distance: The distance between the pickup and delivery locations plays a significant role in determining freight rates. Longer distances generally result in higher rates.
- Weight and Dimensions: The weight and dimensions of your shipment directly impact the cost of transportation. Heavier and larger shipments tend to be more expensive to transport.
- Freight Classification: The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) assigns a class to each type of commodity, which affects the pricing. Higher-class items are more costly to ship. Luckily, FreightSimple handles freight classification for you, simplifying the process.
- Accessorial Services: Additional services, such as liftgate service or inside delivery, can increase the cost of your LTL shipment.
- Density: The density of your shipment, calculated as the weight per cubic foot, influences the pricing. Lower density shipments may be more expensive to ship.
- Seasonality and Market Conditions: Seasonal fluctuations and market conditions, such as supply and demand, can affect LTL freight rates.
- Carrier Differences: Different carriers may charge different rates for the same lane, due to their own respective costs and service offerings.
By understanding these factors and working with a reliable partner like FreightSimple, you can better manage your shipping costs and make informed decisions when selecting a freight partner.