Freight Shipping Pricing — Transparent, No Hidden Fees
Know exactly what you're paying before a single load is booked. Three pricing models to fit your freight volume — all with rate approval, transparent invoicing, and no long-term contracts.
How We Charge
Three Simple Pricing Models
Choose the structure that fits your business. Every model is designed to align our success with yours.
Per-Load Commission
We earn a percentage of the freight rate. No upfront cost to shippers — we only get paid when your freight moves.
- Industry standard 5-15% of freight rate
- No upfront cost — pay only when freight moves
- Rate negotiated per load based on market conditions
- Transparent breakdown on every invoice
- Ideal for shippers testing the waters
Flat Dispatch Fee
A fixed fee per load gives you predictable costs. No surprises — you know exactly what dispatch costs before we book.
- $50 - $200 per load depending on complexity
- Predictable cost for budgeting and planning
- Great for consistent lanes and recurring freight
- Fee locked in before dispatch begins
- Volume pricing available for regular shippers
Monthly Partnership
A dedicated dispatcher assigned to your account with priority carrier matching and capacity reserved for your freight.
- Dedicated dispatcher on your account
- Priority carrier matching and capacity
- Custom pricing based on your volume
- Proactive lane optimization and rate analysis
- Ideal for high-volume, enterprise shippers
Why Our Pricing Works
We built our pricing around one principle: if you do not succeed, neither do we.
No hidden fees or surprise charges
You approve every rate before we book
Volume discounts for regular shippers
Cancel anytime — no long-term contracts
What Do Freight Shipping Rates Look Like?
Actual freight rates depend on distance, weight, freight class, equipment type, and current market conditions. Here are typical ranges to help you plan.
FTL Dry Van
$1.50 – $3.50 per mile
Varies by lane balance, season, and distance
LTL Shipping
$15 – $180 per CWT
Based on freight class (50–500) and distance
Flatbed / Oversized
FTL + 20–40% premium
Includes securement; permits extra
Refrigerated (Reefer)
FTL + 15–30% premium
Temperature control and monitoring included
Expedited Freight
FTL + 40–60% premium
Team drivers, dedicated vehicle, priority routing
Intermodal
Up to 30% less than FTL
Rail + truck on lanes over 500 miles
Freight Pricing FAQs
How much does a freight broker charge?
Freight brokers typically charge 10–25% of the carrier rate as their margin. At Direct Fleet Dispatch, our per-load commission ranges from 5–15%, and we offer flat-fee and monthly partnership options as alternatives. You always see the rate before we book.
Are there hidden fees in freight shipping?
With many brokers, yes — detention charges, fuel surcharges, accessorial fees, and invoice padding are common. We disclose every charge upfront. The rate on your quote is the rate on your invoice. If an accessorial applies (liftgate, inside delivery), we tell you before booking.
What factors affect freight shipping cost?
The main factors are: distance (miles between origin and destination), weight, freight class (for LTL), equipment type (dry van vs. flatbed vs. reefer), lane balance (supply/demand on your route), fuel prices, and season (rates spike during produce season and Q4 holidays).
Do I need to sign a long-term contract?
No. All our pricing models are available without long-term contracts. You can ship one load or one thousand. Monthly partnerships are available for high-volume shippers who want dedicated dispatcher support and priority capacity, but they're not required.
Ready to Move Freight?
Tell us about your freight and we will put together a custom quote tailored to your lanes, volume, and budget. No obligation, no pressure.