What Is Linehaul in Trucking?
Also called: Line Haul, Linehaul Rate
Linehaul is the base price for moving a load from pickup to delivery. It is usually quoted in dollars per mile or as a flat amount. It does not include the fuel surcharge or extra fees such as detention and lumper charges.
Last reviewed September 23, 2026 · Facts checked October 15, 2026
Key Points
- Linehaul is the base rate for the move itself
- The fuel surcharge and accessorial fees (detention, layover, lumper) are separate charges
- An all-in rate bundles linehaul and fuel into one number
- To compare two loads, add the linehaul and the fuel surcharge per mile, then compare the total to your cost per mile
- A higher linehaul with a low surcharge can pay less than a lower linehaul with a higher surcharge
Linehaul plus fuel surcharge vs. all-in rate
| Linehaul + Fuel Surcharge | All-In Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| What you see on the rate con | Two lines: a base rate and a fuel amount | One per-mile number |
| If diesel goes up | The fuel line goes up, so your margin is protected | You pay the extra fuel cost |
| If diesel goes down | The fuel line goes down | You may keep more of the rate |
| Most common on | Contract and repeat lanes | One-time spot loads |
What is included in a linehaul rate?
Linehaul pays for the movement of the freight from the pickup to the delivery. It is usually shown as dollars per mile, though some loads are a flat amount. It does not include the fuel surcharge, which follows the price of diesel. It does not include accessorial charges, which pay for extra work such as detention, extra stops, layover or lumper fees.
Linehaul vs. all-in rate: what is the difference?
With linehaul plus a fuel surcharge, the rate con shows two parts, and the fuel part changes with diesel. With an all-in rate, you get one number that already includes fuel. One-time spot loads are often quoted all-in. Contract and repeat lanes often use linehaul plus a surcharge. All-in pays well when diesel is flat or falling. Linehaul plus a surcharge protects you when diesel rises.
How do you compare two loads?
Do not compare linehaul alone. Add the fuel surcharge per mile to the linehaul to get one all-in number for each load. Then add any fees you expect to pay or earn. Example: a $2.10 linehaul with a $0.60 fuel surcharge is $2.70 per mile before extra fees. Compare that to your cost per mile and your deadhead miles. A load with a higher linehaul can still pay less in total. For scale, DAT's September 2026 national spot averages for van were $2.17 linehaul plus $0.84 fuel, or $3.01 all-in.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does linehaul mean in trucking?+
Linehaul is the base price for moving a load from pickup to delivery. It is usually quoted per mile or as a flat amount, before the fuel surcharge and extra fees.
Is linehaul the same as the all-in rate?+
No. An all-in rate bundles linehaul and fuel into one number. Linehaul alone is only the base rate, and the fuel surcharge is added on top.
Does linehaul include fuel?+
No. Fuel is a separate charge called the fuel surcharge, unless the rate is all-in. Always check whether the rate on your rate con includes fuel.
What are linehaul and accessorial charges?+
Linehaul is the base charge for the trip. Accessorial charges are extra fees for extra work, such as detention, layover, extra stops or lumper fees. They are not tied to the miles.
What are typical linehaul rates right now?+
There is no single number, because lanes, seasons and loads differ. As a reference, DAT's September 2026 national averages put spot linehaul at $2.17 per mile for van, $2.70 for reefer and $2.60 for flatbed, before the fuel surcharge. Contract linehaul was $2.40, $2.66 and $3.03. Compare a real load to your own cost per mile.
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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.