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What does freight shipping cost?
The honest answer: it depends — but it depends on knowable things. Here's what actually moves a freight quote, so the number you get makes sense.
The six things that set your rate
- Distance and lane — not just miles, but whether trucks want to be where your freight ends up. A lane into a busy freight market prices better than one into the middle of nowhere.
- Equipment type — flatbed, step-deck, reefer, and dry van each have their own market, and specialized trailers cost more.
- Weight and dimensions — heavier loads limit which trucks can take them; oversize dimensions can add permits and escorts.
- Deadhead — how far the truck must drive empty to reach your pickup. Freight near ports and freight hubs prices better; that's why our port positioning matters.
- Season and timing — produce season pulls trucks away from other freight; a flexible pickup window is worth real money.
- Loading time — carriers price in how long your dock or jobsite holds their truck.
Why we don't publish a rate calculator
Because instant calculators quote a fantasy lane, then a dispatcher calls to renegotiate when reality arrives. We'd rather ask you five questions and give you a number that holds. That's the whole reason Freight Helpers is built around talking to a human — the quote you get is the quote your freight actually ships at.
How to get your number
Call (206) 718-3727 during office hours, or send the five-field form with what you're shipping and where. A broker calls back with a firm quote — no account, no spam, no obligation.
Common questions
Is a broker more expensive than calling a carrier directly?
Usually the opposite for occasional shippers. Carriers price one-off direct freight cautiously; brokers put your load in front of a network that competes for it, and our carriers are already vetted for authority, insurance, and safety.
Do you charge for quotes?
Never. Quotes are free, and a real broker gives them — not an algorithm you'll renegotiate with later.
How fast can I get a quote?
Call during office hours and it's a conversation, not a queue. Form requests usually get a callback the same business day.
One call books your freight.
No portals, no accounts, no nine-field forms. Tell a real broker what you're shipping and we'll have pre-screened carriers competing for your load.