The Good Index.Freight

Fee comparison

Detention (with power) fees by carrier

Detention with power is what an LTL carrier charges when its driver and tractor are held at your dock beyond the free time stated in the rules tariff. Free time, the billing increment (commonly 15 or 30 minutes), and the rate all vary by carrier — the table below is taken directly from each carrier's published tariff.

Lowest per 15 minutes
$19
Median per 15 minutes
$65.25
Highest per 15 minutes
$82
Carriers
10
Per 15 minutes
1
Southeastern Freight Lines
$19 per vehicle each 15 min after 10 min, $75 minimum per vehicle
eff. Mar 1, 2021
$19lowest
2
Southeastern Freight Lines
Per vehicle each 15 min or fraction, delayed at US/Canada border
eff. Sep 16, 2024
$23
3
Southeastern Freight Lines
Per vehicle each 15 min beyond free time (20-60 min by shipment count)
eff. Mar 1, 2021
$23
4
AAA Cooper
Charge per 15 min beyond free time (free time 15-120 min by weight)
eff. Dec 22, 2025
$28
5
TForce Freight
$65 each 15 min after free time (30-240 min by weight), $80 minimum.
eff. Jun 6, 2022
$65
6
XPO
Per 15 min beyond free time (free time 15–60 min by weight); minimum $86.25 for LTL
eff. Jan 15, 2024
$65.25
7
Saia
$69.00 per vehicle each 15 min beyond free time (30-180 min by weight), $77.00 minimum per freight bill
eff. Oct 21, 2024
$69
8
Dayton Freight
TL over 10,000 lbs; begins 60 min after notification; $75.00 first hour, $75.00 each additional 15 min.
eff. Jan 27, 2025
$75
9
FedEx Freight
Per pup each 15 min after free time; $97.00 min; free time varies by weight
eff. Jan 5, 2026
$82highest
Estes
Actual weight per stop less than 20,000 lbs: $40.00 per 15 min past free time; 20,000 lbs or more: $90.30 for one hour or less
eff. Nov 17, 2025
$40.00 per each 15 minutes past free time (under 20,000 lbs); $90.30 for one hour or less (20,000+ lbs)
Roadrunner
Free time varies by weight; $50 per 15 min after free time, $75 minimum
eff. Sep 22, 2025
$50/15 min, $75 min charge
R+L Carriers
After 0.5 hr free time; $75.00 per 15 min beyond free time, $185.00 minimum
eff. Aug 4, 2025
$75.00 per 15 min, $185.00 minimum
Per hour
R+L Carriers
When US/Canada Customs examines shipment at border port; after 2 hrs free time
eff. Aug 4, 2025
$129.00 per hour after 2 hours free time
R+L Carriers
After free time (3-7 hrs by weight); first hour or less $216.90, each additional 30 min $107.50
eff. Aug 4, 2025
$216.90 first hour or less; $107.50 each additional 30 min
Per day
R+L Carriers
After 8 hrs free time; use of vehicle for public sale of contents; escalating per 24 hrs
eff. Aug 4, 2025
$154.00 (1st 24 hrs), $229.50 (2nd), $286.80 (3rd+)

Amounts are each carrier's published tariff figure — negotiated contracts may override them. Carriers price this fee in different shapes (flat charge, per-cwt rate), so the table groups like with like — a low per-cwt rate is not a low fee once its minimum charge applies. Click a carrier for the citation, tariff language, and history.

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Frequently asked

How much detention free time do LTL carriers allow?
Most rules tariffs grant free loading/unloading time scaled to shipment weight — commonly in the 15-to-120-minute range — before detention starts accruing. The exact allowance is in each carrier's tariff item and is listed per carrier on this page.
Can detention charges be disputed?
Yes — detention is one of the most disputed accessorials because it depends on recorded arrival/departure times. If the carrier's times don't match your gate logs or appointment records, dispute with documentation before paying.

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