Linehaul
Linehaul refers to the base transportation charge for moving freight from origin to destination, excluding accessorial charges. It is the core revenue component of any trucking invoice, calculated as rate per mile times total loaded miles.
In Depth
On a freight invoice, linehaul is listed separately from fuel surcharge, detention, and other accessorials. Brokers and shippers negotiate linehaul rates based on lane supply and demand, distance, equipment type, and freight characteristics.
For owner-operators, knowing the linehaul rate separate from accessorials matters because factoring companies and some payment terms apply differently to each. Negotiating a stronger linehaul rate is generally more valuable than fighting for small accessorial improvements.
Linehaul rates are also used to calculate fuel surcharge percentages — the FSC is typically applied as a percentage of linehaul revenue, not total invoice value.
Usage Example
Example: 'The load paid $2,100 linehaul plus $180 fuel surcharge and $150 detention — total invoice $2,430.'
Related Calculators
Related Terms
Rate Per Mile
Rate per mile (RPM) is the gross revenue a carrier earns per mile driven. It is calculated by dividing the total load rate by total miles (loaded + deadhead) and is the most common profitability metric in trucking.
Fuel Surcharge
A fuel surcharge (FSC) is a variable fee added to a freight rate to compensate carriers for fluctuations in diesel fuel prices above a baseline level. It is calculated as a percentage of the line haul revenue, based on the current DOE national diesel price.
Accessorial Charges
Accessorial charges are fees added to a freight invoice beyond the base rate for additional services or circumstances outside of standard pickup and delivery, including detention, fuel surcharge, liftgate, inside delivery, and residential delivery.
Rate Confirmation
A rate confirmation (rate con) is a document issued by a broker to a carrier that outlines the terms of a load: pickup and delivery locations, freight description, rate, accessorial rates (detention, TONU), and payment terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is linehaul the same as total pay?
No. Total pay includes linehaul plus fuel surcharge, detention, and any other accessorials. Linehaul is just the base mileage rate.