A freight broker's rate is more than the line-haul number on the quote. It bundles the base transportation charge, a fuel surcharge, and any accessorial fees the load triggers along the way, and knowing what belongs in each bucket is how a CPG founder catches a quote that looks cheap on paper but gets expensive after the invoice.
What's Actually Included in a Line-Haul Rate?
The line-haul rate covers the base cost of moving freight from origin to destination: distance, equipment type, and current market capacity. On top of that, most carriers add a fuel surcharge, calculated either as a percentage of the base rate tied to the Department of Energy's weekly retail diesel average, or, more often on full truckload lanes, as a per-mile amount based on the gap between current and base diesel prices. Neither should be a surprise on the invoice. A broker should be able to show you how each is calculated before the load ships.
Which Accessorial Charges Show Up Most on CPG Freight?
Accessorial charges are fees for anything beyond a straightforward one-pick, one-drop move. Detention is the most common: most carrier agreements include two free hours at a shipper or receiver, then bill roughly $50 to $85 an hour after that, often landing around $100 per load. Lumper fees, charged when a third party unloads freight at a distribution center, typically run $75 to $300. Extra stops on a multi-stop route generally add $75 to $150 each. None of these are hidden costs if they are built into the rate confirmation before the carrier is booked. They only become a problem when nobody flagged them in advance.
Why Do Refrigerated/Reefer LTL Rates Run Higher Than Dry Van?
Temperature-controlled trailers cost more to run and maintain than dry vans, which is the main reason reefer rates sit above dry van rates on the same lane. National reefer rates currently average around $2.39 per mile, with regional averages ranging from about $2.11 per mile in the Southeast to $2.53 per mile in the West. A refrigerated carrier is also managing seasonal produce demand swings and the added fuel draw of running a reefer unit, both of which factor into the rate beyond the base line-haul.
What Should Be Spelled Out Before You Book a Load?
A complete rate confirmation states which accessorials are already included in the rate, which are capped at a set amount, and when the detention clock starts. If a load has a known liftgate requirement, a limited-access delivery address, or a temperature range that has to be maintained, that should be documented before the truck is dispatched, not discovered after the invoice arrives.
Where Does a Freight Broker Fit in Managing These Costs?
Fr8topia is a freight broker for the natural and organic channel first, and the broader CPG retail channel beyond that. We do not own trucks. We source and manage a vetted carrier network across ambient and reefer carrier lanes, and we itemize accessorials in the rate confirmation before a load ships so the invoice matches what you agreed to. For the compliance side of what an unclear rate or a documentation gap can cost you at the distributor, see what a UNFI or KeHE chargeback actually costs, and get in touch to request a quote that spells out every line item up front.