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
- 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.
- Net all-in number, not the discount percentage.
- Same accessorials included on each.
- 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.
LessThanTruckload.com is not a licensed freight broker and does not arrange transportation.