What Is Dwell Time in Trucking?
Also called: Truck Dwell Time
Dwell time is the total time a truck spends at one facility. It starts when the truck arrives and ends when it leaves. It includes waiting, loading or unloading and paperwork. Detention is the part that runs past the free time in your contract.
Last reviewed September 23, 2026 · Facts checked October 15, 2026
Key Points
- Dwell time counts every minute at the facility: waiting, loading or unloading and paperwork
- Detention is the extra time past the free time in your contract. FMCSA says there is no standard definition of detention time
- The industry, the government and researchers have often counted dwell time over 2 hours as detention. That is a common habit, not a federal rule
- A 2014 FMCSA study found drivers were detained on about 1 in every 10 stops, for an average of 1.4 hours beyond the 2-hour standard
- Record your arrival and departure times (ELD, BOL, gate log or a phone photo) so you can bill detention
- Long waits can use up your driving window, so they cost you miles as well as time
Dwell time vs. free time vs. detention
| Dwell Time | Free Time | Detention | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | All the time the truck is at the facility | The wait you agree not to be paid for | The wait past the free time |
| Who sets it | Nobody. It is only measured | Your contract or rate con | Your contract or rate con |
| Federal rule? | No | No | No official definition |
| Usually paid? | No | No | Often, if it is in writing |
What is the difference between dwell time and detention?
Dwell time is the whole stay. It covers waiting, the loading or unloading itself and the paperwork. Free time is the part you agree not to be paid for. It is set in your contract or rate con, and two hours is common. Detention is the time past the free time. FMCSA says there is no standard definition of detention time, so the free time and the pay rate must be in writing.
How do you prove dwell time?
Keep records that show when you arrived and when you left. Good proof includes ELD data, the time stamps on the BOL, the shipper's gate log, text messages with the dispatcher and photos with a time stamp. Send your detention request as soon as you leave, with the times and the load number. Brokers pay faster when the proof is clear.
How can you cut dwell time?
Ask for a firm appointment time when you book the load. Check in on time, but not hours early. Tell your dispatcher as soon as a wait starts, so the broker is told while it is happening. Keep a list of facilities where you wait often. Share it with your dispatcher so you can decide whether those loads are worth taking.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is dwell time in trucking?+
Dwell time is the total time a truck is at a facility, from arrival to departure. It includes waiting, loading or unloading and paperwork.
What is the difference between dwell time and detention time?+
Dwell time is the whole time at the facility. Detention is the part that goes past the free time in your contract. There is no official federal definition of detention, so get the free time and the rate in writing.
How long is normal dwell time?+
There is no federal standard. Two hours of free time is common in the industry, but your rate con sets the real number. Check it before you accept the load.
Does waiting at a shipper count against my hours of service?+
Yes. Time at a shipper or other facility, waiting to be dispatched, is on-duty time unless the carrier has relieved you from duty (49 CFR 395.2). On-duty time uses your 14-hour window (49 CFR 395.3). Log your status correctly.
How often are drivers held up past the free time?+
A 2014 FMCSA study found detention on about 1 in every 10 stops. The average was 1.4 hours beyond a 2-hour standard, for 3.4 hours of dwell time. Medium-sized carriers had detention at 19 percent of stops, about twice as often as large carriers at 9 percent. FMCSA says earlier studies could not separate normal loading time from detention, which is why it is collecting new data from electronic logs.
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This is industry terminology and typical practice. It is not legal or tax advice. Rates, fees, and rules mentioned are general ranges. Confirm the details on your rate confirmation, carrier agreement, or a current official source.