What is a Freight Quote?

A freight quote is the price charged for transporting products or equipment from one location to another. Freight shipping quotes consider numerous variables, including size, weight, freight class, distance, and route. Liability risk and required accessories (like a liftgate) also impact the quote. A clear understanding of freight quotes helps save money, reduce disruptions, and minimize losses.

How Do I Get a Freight Quote?

Working with a freight shipping company, such as Nationwide Transport Services, is often the best way to obtain an accurate FTL or LTL freight quote. We consider all variables of your shipments to provide you with an instant freight quote. While using an online freight quote calculator might seem tempting, they’re not always accurate because all the details of your freight transport aren’t taken into account.

Logistics professionals collaborate with thousands of carriers to optimize service at affordable prices, ensuring that your goods are picked up and delivered on time. Some freight transport companies offer online freight quote calculators, making it possible to generate instant freight quotes.

To get a freight quote, you’ll need to have the following information ready to go:

• Shipping dates
• Pick up and drop off locations 
• Type of goods, along with size and weight

Make sure that the freight services provider you work with is properly licensed and fully insured. Licensing requirements vary by state and the nature of the services provided. Experience is also a good consideration to ensure your goods are in safe hands. Always ask for an MC number to confirm the details provided are accurate.

How Are Freight Shipping Costs Determined? 

Numerous variables impact the cost of freight services. We will discuss each of them below to illustrate how they affect the final shipping freight cost.

• Size and Weight

Freight shipping quotes rely heavily on the size and weight of a shipment. For example, for a less-than-truckload (LTL) freight quote, you pay less because you’re only charged for the space your goods occupy. For a full truckload (FTL) freight quote, you pay for the entire truck. In short, the larger and heavier the goods, the higher the transport cost.

• Freight Class

The freight class system categorizes goods for transport. It standardizes and simplifies pricing and handling for shippers, carriers, and logistics professionals. Key factors include:

• Density
• Stowability
• Handling
• Liability
  

Ratings range from Class 50 (dense cargo like steel beams) to Class 500 (light, fragile, and/or bulky items). A proper freight class determination is crucial if you want an accurate freight quote. Carriers may impose additional fees when handling misclassified shipments. The resulting

• Insurance Coverage / Liability Risk 

The higher the value of goods, the more expensive the insurance coverage, which increases the freight shipping quote. For example, a freight shipping quote for transporting high-value machinery is higher than one for moving furniture over the same distance. That’s because if something were to happen to the machinery, it would cost more to repair or replace it than the furniture.

To avoid underinsurance, it is vital to determine a shipment’s actual replacement value. Standard cargo insurance coverage typically maxes out at $100,000. High-value freight transport falls into one of four tiers: $100,000 – $250,000, $250,000 – $500,000, $500,000 – $1,000,000, and greater than $1,000,000. The higher the risk, the higher the cost. 

While some customers think it’s wise to undervalue their goods to save on transport. It might cost you more if an accident were to occur, because the insurance will only cover your goods for the provided value. Working with a professional freight transport company like ours minimizes the risk of damage. We always ensure that all goods are fully insured and protected before dispatch against unforeseen dangers. 

• Load Description

Specific cargo characteristics increase the freight shipping costs. For example, shipping fragile, temperature-sensitive, and high-value freight requires more care and resources. Wide and/or tall loads require more specialized trailers to accommodate them, which increases shipping costs. There may be clearance considerations along the route and a demand for permits, which can be costly to obtain. Extra personnel are often needed to clear traffic, ensure clearances, and navigate turns. 

All goods that require extra care or resources always cost more to ship because the shipper must take extra measures to ensure all demands are met and delivery is safe. 

• Distance and Route

Distance is a key variable that impacts fuel costs, driver wages, and wear and tear. The more miles, the higher the freight transportation cost. Route also impacts the cost of shipping freight. Some routes are more challenging to find a driver because they’re not common, and the driver has to travel far to pick up your goods, which results in extra costs, such as deadhead.

The best way to save on costs when shipping freight to or from less common routes is by booking early. That gives us time to contact drivers in your area to pick up your goods without incurring the extra fees. 

• Mode of Transport

Trucks and trailers are among the most common methods of shipping freight from one location to another. Some goods require specialized trailers, which increases the cost of transport. For example, shipping sensitive goods such as flowers and pharmaceuticals requires temperature-controlled trucks, which are more expensive to operate compared to basic trailers, like flatbeds. Our dedicated specialists are always ready to help you determine the best mode of transport to maintain the integrity of your goods. 

Dry van trailers keep cargo protected from the weather, while flatbed trailers, being open, offer easy access. Flatbeds are designed to handle bulky, oversized, or irregularly shaped cargo. Refrigerated trucks (reefers) haul everything from ice cream to pharmaceuticals. Tankers handle bulk liquid transport, from food products to petrochemicals, and are often sophisticated, featuring advanced equipment such as heat coils, vapor recovery systems, overfill protection, and camlock fittings.  

Step deck trailers haul heavy equipment. These lower, open-deck trailers enable the hauling of taller loads when clearances are an issue. When the equipment is very heavy and/or tall, double drop (lowboy) trailers are an option. They also increase the stability of tall loads.  

• Seasonality

Seasonal variations impact freight quotes. Busier seasons, such as the holidays, increase demand for freight services, which in turn increases the cost of transportation. To save on transport, it’s great to book your freight transport during the low season if the move isn’t urgent. The drivers are readily available, and your move is picked up on time, unlike during high seasons when delays are common.  

• Origin and Destination 

The distance between the pickup and drop-off locations directly influences freight shipping rates. More miles mean higher costs for fuel consumption, time, and wear and tear. Freight quotes may also be higher in remote areas or those with vehicular restrictions. You can save on costs when shipping freight to and from well-traveled routes served by many carriers, as drivers are readily available for pickups and drop-offs. 

• Fuel Costs

The higher the fuel price, the higher the transport costs. Conversely, lower fuel costs reduce transportation costs. While some freight shipping needs are charged a flat rate, fuel costs always play a role, whether the distance is short or long. 

• Accessorial Charges

Accessorial charges are fees added to a basic freight quote. For example, liftgate service is often required unless your destination has a loading dock. Some carriers charge a flat rate, while others charge per pound. Do you need expedited shipping? If so, you will pay an extra fee for transport on short notice.

The LTL reclassification fee is among the most common accessorial charges. A shipper incurs this fee when an inspection reveals the use of an incorrect freight class. The newer National Motor Freight Classification system emphasizes density-based freight classes. That means that pounds-per-cubic-foot will play a greater role in future freight quotes.  

If you typically ship full truckloads (FTL), you might see accessorial charges less often. However, both FTL and LTL loads may incur an inside fee when the carrier has to move freight beyond the dock area to cover the added time and labor involved.

Specialized equipment often incurs additional charges. Temperature-controlled, oversized, and maximum-value loads are examples of shipments that increase costs. Residential deliveries are often more challenging than B2B shipments. As a result, shipments involving residences often cost more. 

What Information is Required to Get a Freight Shipping Quote?

Shippers can streamline the freight quote process by having relevant information readily available. The following is what freight companies need to provide you with an accurate FTL or LTL freight quote. 

• Origin and destination – Where will your shipment be picked up, and where will it be delivered? Always provide full addresses, complete with ZIP Codes. 
• Weight and Dimensions – What is the weight of the shipment? What is its total length, height, and width? Accurate measurements are a must. Include pallets, skids, and other shipping materials in your measurements. Add the length, width, and height to calculate the total size, expressed in cubic inches. Divide by 1,728 to obtain the total cubic feet, using the cubic capacity rule. To determine the density of a shipment, divide its weight by the number of cubic feet.
• Commodity Description – What kind of goods are you shipping? An accurate description is a must. Carriers and logistics professionals need to know if there is fragile or perishable cargo to protect, for example. Photos go a long way because they give us a visual of what you’re shipping and the location surrounding it to determine whether extra resources, such as cranes, are needed.
• Freight Class – Understand freight classes to streamline shipping and manage costs. Your freight specialist can assist with determining the freight class.  
• Type of Packaging – Will your shipment be in boxes, in crates, or on pallets? Packaging should minimize the possibility of product damage throughout the shipping process. Forklifts efficiently load and unload palletized shipments. Bundling smaller boxes also speeds loading and unloading. Opaque crates pose certain challenges because the goods aren’t visible. Carriers want to know that those who did the crating considered securement and safety. Portholes near the crate’s bottom make it possible to secure the item directly.  
• Accessorial Charges – An accurate freight quote requires attention to accessorial charges. Examples include liftgate service, expedited freight shipping, residential pickup and/or delivery, and temperature-controlled equipment. 

Why Get Your Next Freight Quote From Nationwide Transport Services?

National Transport Services (NTS) is a leader in the logistics industry. We’re fully insured, licensed, and experienced, with resources available across all 50 states. Whether you’re looking for a short-distance or across-the-country freight quote, we’re the right partner for you.

NTS remains family-owned and operated. The motto, “We Care,” remains at the heart of every service we provide. Our conduct reflects a deep commitment to values like honesty, dependability, and efficiency. Count on our dedicated specialists to deliver seamless support every step of the way, from dispatch to delivery. 

Whether your goods are LTL or FTL, we’re the right freight shipping company for your next move. We handle a diverse range of loads, including pallets, machinery, furniture, home goods, and more. We do not handle hazardous materials.  

At NTS, we understand the importance of your shipment to you. You want timely deliveries at an affordable price. Each customer works with a dedicated specialist whose expertise delivers real peace of mind. Call us today at (877) 278-3135 or fill out our short online form to get a free and instant freight quote now!