GetLTLRatesPowered byArmstrong Transport Group877-240-1181Get free rates
Benchmark report

LTL shipping benchmark report 2026

Short answer: Across 97,351 U.S. LTL shipments Armstrong Transport Group arranged from September 2025 – August 2026, the median shipment weighed 870 lb and cost $465 all-in. A single pallet typically cost $255–$525 (median $360), and median transit was 1 business day within a state, 2 regionally and 4 cross-country.

By , SVP of LTL, Armstrong Transport Group · Updated September 24, 2026

Most published LTL pricing is a list rate or a one-off quote. This report is different: it summarizes what shippers were actually billed, all-in, on real freight that moved. Every figure comes from Armstrong’s shipment records and follows our published methodology.

Key findings

  1. Distance matters more than most shippers expect. A 500–999 lb shipment had a median cost of $265 within one state, $370 regionally and $530 cross-country.
  2. Heavier shipments are far cheaper per pound. Regionally, the median 500–999 lb shipment cost about $0.49/lb at the bracket midpoint, versus about $0.15/lb for 2,500–4,999 lb. Consolidating small shipments is one of the biggest savings available.
  3. Density drives price. At 500–999 lb, dense freight (class 50–65 (dense)) had a median of $285, while light, bulky freight (class 150+ (light, bulky)) had a median of $610.
  4. No carrier dominates. The three most-used carriers moved only 31% of shipments combined; the best-priced carrier changed lane by lane and shipment by shipment.
  5. 47% of shipments were regional and 43% long haul; only 10% stayed within one state.
Get the exact rate for your shipment
Free · no account · 50+ carriers · powered by Armstrong Transport Group

Cost by weight and distance

WeightWithin one stateRegional (neighboring states)Long haul (cross-country)
Under 500 lb$165–$325
median $235		$230–$480
median $315		$295–$590
median $400
500–999 lb$190–$395
median $265		$260–$560
median $370		$365–$780
median $530
1,000–2,499 lb$200–$430
median $280		$295–$650
median $425		$465–$1,010
median $675
2,500–4,999 lb$255–$505
median $345		$405–$815
median $565		$650–$1,360
median $895
5,000–9,999 lb$325–$560
median $425		$550–$1,065
median $750		$900–$1,720
median $1,235

Middle 50% of all-in paid rates and median, rounded to $5.

Cost by freight class (500–999 lb)

Class bandTypical rangeMedianShipments
Class 50–65 (dense)$215–$405$2852,416
Class 70–92.5$250–$485$3505,437
Class 100–125$285–$655$4005,243
Class 150+ (light, bulky)$430–$855$6103,263

Which freight classes ship

ClassShare of shipments
Class 7012%
Class 12512%
Class 17511%
Class 10011%
Class 657%
Class 607%
Class 92.57%
Class 2507%

Transit times

DistanceShare of shipmentsMedian transit
Within one state10%1 business days
Regional (neighboring states)47%2 business days
Long haul (cross-country)43%4 business days

More detail in how long LTL shipping takes.

Carrier mix

CarrierShare of shipments arranged
AAA Cooper Transportation11%
Estes Express Lines10%
XPO10%
TForce Freight8%
R+L Carriers8%
Southeastern Freight Lines7%
ABF Freight7%
Saia6%
FedEx Freight6%
Central Transport5%
Averitt Express4%

Shares reflect which carrier won each shipment for Armstrong’s customers, not national market share.

Busiest lanes and markets

State lanes

  1. California intrastate · 1-day median transit
  2. Texas intrastate · 1-day median transit
  3. Florida intrastate · 1-day median transit
  4. Texas → California · 4-day median transit
  5. California → Texas · 3-day median transit
  6. Texas → Florida · 2-day median transit
  7. California → Florida · 5-day median transit
  8. Florida → Texas · 3-day median transit
  9. Texas → North Carolina · 2-day median transit
  10. Illinois → California · 4-day median transit

City-to-city corridors

  1. Dallas–Fort Worth → Houston
  2. Los Angeles → Salt Lake City
  3. Houston → Dallas–Fort Worth
  4. Chicago → Dallas–Fort Worth
  5. Tampa → Miami–South Florida
  6. Los Angeles → Phoenix
  7. Los Angeles → Dallas–Fort Worth
  8. Dallas–Fort Worth → Atlanta
  9. Los Angeles → Chicago
  10. Los Angeles → Seattle–Tacoma

Origin metros

  1. Dallas–Fort Worth
  2. Los Angeles
  3. Chicago
  4. Inland Empire (Ontario–Riverside)
  5. Houston
  6. Tampa
  7. Atlanta
  8. Miami–South Florida
  9. Baltimore
  10. Detroit

About this data

Figures cover 97,351 U.S. domestic LTL shipments picked up September 2025 – August 2026 and arranged through Armstrong Transport Group’s LTL network across 50+ carriers. Prices are the all-in amounts billed to customers, including fuel and accessorials. Customer identities are never disclosed, and narrow groupings are published only when enough different shippers are represented. Full definitions: data methodology.

Media and researchers: you may quote these figures with attribution to “GetLTLRates / Armstrong Transport Group” and a link to this page. For interviews or custom cuts of the data, contact info@getltlrates.com.

See what your freight would cost

Compare 50+ carriers for your exact shipment in about 60 seconds.

Get my free rates →