Ask three carriers what a pallet costs to ship and you'll get three numbers — but the same seven inputs produced all of them. Know the inputs and LTL pricing stops being a black box; more usefully, you learn which of them you can move.
The seven inputs on every quote
- Freight class. The rating category (50–400) your density maps to under the NMFC scale. Base rate tables step up with class; it's the single largest controllable factor.
- Weight & weight breaks. Rates are quoted per hundred pounds (CWT), and the per-CWT price drops at published breaks (500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 lb…). A 950 lb shipment sometimes prices higher than a 1,010 lb one — carriers rate "as if" at the next break when it's cheaper.
- Lane. Origin–destination distance and direction. Headhaul lanes (into freight-hungry markets) price better than backhaul deserts; regional carriers often beat nationals inside their footprint.
- Fuel surcharge. A percentage indexed to diesel, recalculated weekly — typically 20–35% on top of linehaul in recent years.
- Accessorials. Liftgate, residential, limited access, inside delivery, appointment scheduling: $50–$150 each, and the ones nobody mentioned at booking arrive as invoice surprises.
- Minimums. Every carrier has an absolute minimum charge (commonly $100–$180). Tiny shipments pay it regardless of the math above.
- Timing & service level. Guaranteed windows and expedited service carry premiums; flexible-date freight rides standard service for less.
Realistic 2026 ranges (for calibration, not quoting)
| Shipment | Typical range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 pallet, 500 lb, class 70, regional (<500 mi) | $120–$250 | Minimums, fuel |
| 1 pallet, 500 lb, class 125, cross-country | $400–$800 | Class, lane length |
| 4 pallets, 4,000 lb, class 85, mid-haul | $600–$1,200 | Weight break, discounts |
| Any of the above + liftgate/residential | +$75–$200 | Accessorials |
Ranges reflect common published-rate outcomes with typical discounts; your tariff, timing and market will differ. Treat them as a smell test for quotes, not a rate card.
Making any quote come in lower
Work the list in order of leverage. Density first: tighter packaging and pooled pallets move class, and class moves everything (worked examples here). Then the paperwork: accurate dims and an NMFC item on the BOL prevent the reweigh fees that quietly add 10–20% across a quarter. Then the market: quote a regional carrier against the nationals on lanes inside their map, and offer date flexibility. Finally, pool: one 4-pallet shipment beats four singles on density, minimums and weight breaks simultaneously — run both scenarios in the calculator and the difference is usually visible before anyone quotes anything.