How Do I Get the Best Freight Shipping Rates?

Receiving the best freight shipping rates can be difficult as rates tend to vary significantly between freight carriers. Factors influencing a carrier’s freight rate might include the carrier’s terminals/hubs and whether the route between two points is primary or secondary.

For example, Carrier A and Carrier B may both service shipments between Miami and Nashville. Carrier A has a direct route between the two cities. Carrier B, however, has to transport the cargo to Charlotte, then pass it off to a partner carrier. Because Carrier A offers direct service and does not need to include a partner carrier, they will likely provide a much lower freight rate. Each carrier is different, but typically, a location that is 50+ miles away from a carrier will mean a partner carrier will be involved.

Some carriers have their service area split into 4 zones. Zone 1 is closest to the carrier’s hub/terminal and therefore will cost less. A Zone 4 pick-up will be much farther away from the carrier’s hub, and there can be a considerable increase in the freight cost between a Zone 1 pick-up and a Zone 4 pick-up.

To ensure you get the best freight rates, comparing quotes from multiple freight carriers is essential. This involves gathering important information about your shipments, such as origin and destination city/zip code, freight class, weight, and dimensions. It also helps to compare different freight services by understanding what type of freight coverage is included with each freight carrier. Knowing whether your freight needs refrigerated transport or specialized equipment for oversized items is also vital in choosing the suitable carrier for your freight shipment.

Once you have all this information handy, it’s time to get quotes from different freight carriers to compare costs and services. Doing this will help you find the best freight rate for your shipment that fits your budget and timeline expectations. Moreover, don’t forget to read the fine print and ask questions before committing to a specific carrier to avoid hidden fees or surprises down the road.

FreightCenter helps shippers find the best freight shipping rates by analyzing all available carriers and routes for their shipment. Try it for free by using our instant freight quote tool.

Note: There are many other factors that affect your freight rate. Learn more about what factors affect LTL freight rates.

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Learn more about what factors affect less-than-truckload freight rates.