Complete Guide to Trucking in the United States
Everything you need to know about freight transportation in America — from how freight brokerage works and the differences between FTL and LTL to cost-per-mile benchmarks, fuel surcharges, and cross-country transit times.
How Freight Brokerage Works
A freight broker acts as an intermediary between shippers (companies that need goods transported) and carriers (trucking companies with available capacity). The broker does not own trucks or physically handle freight — instead, they coordinate logistics, negotiate rates, manage paperwork, and ensure on-time delivery.
Here's the typical process: A shipper contacts the broker with freight details (origin, destination, weight, commodity type, pickup date). The broker searches their carrier network for available trucks. Once a carrier is matched, the broker issues a rate confirmation and coordinates pickup and delivery. Throughout transit, the broker tracks the load and provides updates. After delivery, the broker pays the carrier and invoices the shipper.
Indray Inc operates as a licensed freight broker (MC & DOT authorized) connecting shippers with a vetted network of carriers across the United States for domestic, customs clearance, intermodal, and drayage services.
FTL vs LTL Explained
Full Truckload (FTL)
FTL means the shipper's freight fills an entire trailer — typically 26–30 pallets or 42,000–45,000 lbs. The trailer is dedicated to one shipper, traveling directly from origin to destination without stops. FTL is ideal for large shipments, time-sensitive freight, or high-value goods that benefit from fewer touchpoints.
- • Faster transit (direct, no hub stops)
- • Lower damage risk (no re-handling)
- • Best for 10,000+ lbs or 10+ pallets
- • Priced per mile ($1.80–$3.50/mi)
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)
LTL combines shipments from multiple shippers into a single trailer. Each shipper pays only for the space their freight occupies. LTL freight moves through a hub-and-spoke network, with shipments consolidated and sorted at terminals. LTL is cost-effective for smaller loads that don't justify a full trailer.
- • Cost-effective for 150–10,000 lbs
- • Priced by weight class (per cwt)
- • Longer transit (multiple stops)
- • Classified by NMFC freight class
Spot Market vs Contract Freight
Spot Market
The spot market is where freight is booked on-demand at current market rates. Prices fluctuate based on supply and demand — during peak seasons (Q4 produce, holiday retail) spot rates can spike 30–50% above contract rates. Spot freight is ideal for one-time shipments or overflow capacity. Brokers like Indray maintain real-time access to spot market capacity nationwide.
Contract Freight
Contract freight involves a shipper and carrier (or broker) agreeing on fixed rates for a set period, usually 6–12 months. Contracts provide rate stability and guaranteed capacity. They're best for consistent shipping volumes. Indray offers competitive contract rates with guaranteed service levels for shippers with regular freight needs.
Trucking Cost Per Mile
Trucking cost per mile depends on equipment type, lane distance, fuel prices, seasonality, and market demand. Below are typical 2026 rate ranges for US domestic trucking:
| Equipment Type | Typical Rate Range |
|---|---|
| Dry Van (FTL) | $1.80–$2.80/mi |
| Refrigerated (Reefer) | $2.20–$3.50/mi |
| Flatbed | $2.50–$3.80/mi |
| LTL (per cwt) | $15–$40/cwt |
| Expedited | $3.00–$5.00/mi |
Fuel Surcharge Explained
A fuel surcharge (FSC) is an additional fee added to the base freight rate to account for fluctuating diesel prices. It's calculated using a base fuel price and a sliding scale — when diesel rises above the base price, the surcharge increases proportionally. Most carriers use the DOE (Department of Energy) weekly national average diesel price as the benchmark.
For example, if the base fuel price is $3.00/gallon and the current DOE average is $3.80/gallon, the FSC might be 8% of the linehaul rate. Fuel surcharges are standard across the industry and are typically listed as a separate line item on freight invoices. Request a quote from Indray for transparent, all-in pricing.
Accessorial Charges Explained
Accessorial charges are fees for services beyond standard pickup and delivery. Common accessorials include:
Detention
Charged when a driver waits longer than the free time (usually 2 hours) at pickup or delivery. Typically $50–$100/hour.
Layover
Charged when a driver must wait overnight or longer due to shipper/receiver delays. $250–$400/day.
Liftgate
Required when the pickup or delivery location lacks a loading dock. $75–$150 per stop.
Inside Delivery
Moving freight beyond the loading dock into the building interior. $100–$200.
Residential Delivery
Deliveries to residential addresses cost more due to access limitations. $75–$150.
TONU (Truck Ordered Not Used)
Charged when a carrier dispatches a truck but the load is cancelled. $150–$350.
Lumper Fee
Third-party unloading services, common at grocery/retail warehouses. $100–$300.
Hazmat Fee
Additional charges for transporting hazardous materials. $100–$500 depending on class.
Cross-Country Transit Times
Transit times depend on distance, weather, traffic, and whether the shipment is FTL or LTL. Below are typical FTL transit times for major US trucking lanes:
| Route | Distance | Transit Time | Avg Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles → Dallas | 1,435 mi | 2–3 days | $2,800–$4,200 |
| Houston → Chicago | 1,092 mi | 2 days | $2,200–$3,500 |
| Savannah → Atlanta | 248 mi | 1 day | $600–$1,100 |
| New York → Columbus | 538 mi | 1–2 days | $1,200–$2,000 |
| Seattle → Denver | 1,321 mi | 2–3 days | $2,600–$4,000 |
| Miami → Orlando | 235 mi | 1 day | $550–$900 |
| Chicago → Atlanta | 720 mi | 1–2 days | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Dallas → Phoenix | 1,065 mi | 2 days | $2,100–$3,300 |
| Newark → Chicago | 790 mi | 1–2 days | $1,600–$2,800 |
| Los Angeles → New York | 2,790 mi | 4–5 days | $4,500–$7,500 |
Regional Trucking Zones
The US freight market is organized into regional zones, each with distinct supply/demand dynamics, seasonal patterns, and pricing. Understanding these zones helps shippers plan logistics and negotiate rates effectively.
| Zone | Key States | Major Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | NJ, NY, PA, CT, MA | Newark, NJ |
| Southeast | GA, FL, SC, NC, TN | Atlanta, GA |
| Midwest | IL, OH, IN, MI, WI | Chicago, IL |
| Southwest | TX, AZ, NM, OK | Dallas, TX |
| West Coast | CA, WA, OR, NV | Los Angeles, CA |
| Mountain | CO, UT, MT, ID | Denver, CO |
Need Freight Moved?
Get competitive rates from Indray's nationwide carrier network. Call +1 908 864 2064 or request a quote online.