How to Read an LTL Freight Quote, Line by Line

An LTL quote can look like alphabet soup. Here’s what each line actually means — and how to make sure two quotes are really comparable before you pick one.

The anatomy of an LTL quote

• Linehaul (base rate): the core charge to move your freight from origin ZIP to destination ZIP at your freight class and weight. Everything else is added to this.
• Discount: carriers publish high “list” rates and then apply a discount (often 60–80%). A bigger discount isn’t automatically a better deal — compare the net number.
• Fuel surcharge (FSC): a percentage added on top of the linehaul, tied to the national diesel price. It changes weekly, so a quote from last month may not match today.
• Freight class: the NMFC class (50–500) your shipment was rated at. If this is wrong, the whole quote is wrong. (Freight class explained →)
• Weight: what the carrier rated. They can re-weigh at the terminal.
• Accessorials: extra services — see below.

Common accessorial charges

These are the line items that surprise shippers most:

• Liftgate (pickup or delivery) — no loading dock.
• Residential pickup or delivery.
• Inside delivery — past the threshold/dock.
• Limited access — schools, farms, construction sites, storage facilities.
• Appointment / notify — scheduling required.
• Reclassification / re-weigh — applied after the fact if your class or weight was off.

Every accessorial you forget to declare upfront becomes a charge later. List them honestly when you request a quote.

How to compare quotes apples-to-apples

1. Same freight class and weight on every quote. If one carrier rated you class 70 and another class 85, you’re not comparing the same thing.
2. Net all-in number, not the discount percentage.
3. Same accessorials included on each.
4. Same transit time — the cheapest quote with two extra days in transit may cost you more elsewhere.

The fastest way to a fair price

Getting three honest, comparable quotes by yourself takes time. Instead, tell us about your shipment once and vetted brokers in your lane compete for it — same shipment details, competing prices.