What Is Layover Pay in Trucking?
Pay & Rates
Layover pay pays a driver for a full day or more lost to a delay that is not the driver's fault, such as a pickup or delivery pushed to the next day. It is usually a flat daily fee, not an hourly one like detention. It is a contract term, so it is owed only when your rate confirmation or carrier agreement provides for it. One industry guide lists layover at about $250 to $500.
Last reviewed September 23, 2026 · Facts checked October 15, 2026
Key Points
- Layover pay applies to a full day (commonly 24+ hours) of downtime, not the hours-long waits that detention pay covers
- Common triggers: a delayed pickup pushes into the next day, a shipper reschedules overnight, or a broker holds a truck waiting for the next load
- It is usually a flat daily rate, not an hourly rate. ATS, a logistics company, lists layover at about $250 to $500 as a general approximation (its page was last updated in December 2023), and says it varies with the equipment. There is no official rate
- It is a contract term. It is owed only when the rate confirmation or carrier agreement provides for it
- It means downtime caused by the shipper, receiver, or broker's schedule. It is different from your own home time
- Record when the delay started and ended, and keep the messages that confirm the new time
Detention vs. TONU vs. layover pay
| Detention Pay | TONU | Layover Pay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What triggers it | Waiting to load/unload beyond free time | A booked load gets canceled after dispatch | A delay strands the truck overnight or longer |
| Typical time frame | Hours, same day | One-time event | A full day (24+ hours) or more |
| Typical rate structure | By the hour, after the free time | One flat fee | A flat fee per day |
| Range in the ATS guide (Dec 2023 update) | $50 to $75 an hour | $200 to $600 | $250 to $500 |
| Who sets the amount | Your rate confirmation | Your rate confirmation | Your rate confirmation |
| What gets it paid | Logged arrival/departure times, BOL or gate-log timestamp | Dispatch/arrival timestamp, written cancellation notice | Record of delay start/end, broker acknowledgment |
How is layover pay different from detention pay?
The two get confused all the time because both pay for unpaid waiting. But they cover different situations. Detention pay is usually an hourly rate for waiting at a specific dock past the free-time window on a single day. Layover pay is usually a flat daily rate for a driver who's stuck overnight or longer. For example, a load meant to deliver Monday gets pushed to Tuesday. The driver has nowhere productive to go and no other freight to run in the meantime.
When is layover pay owed?
Like detention and TONU, layover pay only applies when the rate confirmation or carrier agreement includes it. It most often comes up on dedicated or contract freight and multi-stop loads with scheduled gaps. It also comes up when a shipper or receiver reschedules with less than a day's notice. The truck has no other freight lined up because it was committed to that load. Example: if your rate confirmation sets layover at $250 a day and the delivery slips from Monday to Wednesday, you bill two days, or $500.
What do you need to document to claim it?
It works on the same principle as detention and TONU claims. The carrier needs to show the truck was committed to the load and couldn't run other freight because of it. It also needs a clear record of when the delay started and ended. Messages from the broker acknowledging the delay (even a text confirming the new pickup time) make a layover pay claim much stronger. Keep your log, because the hours you spend waiting still affect the hours you have left (49 CFR §395.3).
Related Free Tools
Accessorial Charges Calculator
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Detention Pay Calculator
Find out how much detention time you are owed, then copy a ready-to-send message for your broker.
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Trucking Invoice Generator
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is layover pay in trucking?+
Layover pay pays a driver for a full day or more spent waiting with no freight moving. Most often a pickup or delivery got pushed into the next day, or a broker held the truck between loads. It's usually a flat daily rate, unlike detention pay's hourly rate for shorter dock waits.
What's the standard layover fee in trucking?+
There is no official standard. ATS, a logistics company, lists layover at about $250 to $500 as a general approximation, in a page last updated in December 2023. What counts is what your rate confirmation says. It's only owed if it's written into the load's rate confirmation or the carrier's standing agreement with that broker.
How does layover pay work in trucking?+
A delay may push a load's pickup or delivery into the next day or beyond. The driver may have no other freight to run because they're committed to that load. Then the carrier can invoice the agreed layover rate for each full day of downtime. That works only if the rate was set in the rate confirmation or carrier agreement beforehand.
Do I get paid for a layover if my rate confirmation doesn't mention it?+
Not automatically. Without a layover term the broker does not have to pay it. You can still ask, and some brokers pay when you send proof of the delay. Next time, get the layover rate in writing before you accept the load.
What is the difference between layover and detention?+
Detention is usually an hourly charge for waiting at a dock beyond the free time on one day. Layover is usually a flat daily charge when a delay costs you a day or more. Both must be in your rate confirmation to be collected.
What should I document for a layover claim?+
Keep the rate confirmation, the original appointment time, the new time and who gave it, and the dates the delay started and ended. Save texts or emails from the broker or shipper about the delay. Send the claim with your invoice as a separate line.
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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.