Freight Raters

Free Freight Quote: Any Size, Any Destination Freight Shipping

admin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:29:14 +0000

Freightraters.com is proud to present a fully automated freight rate quote software program. Just type in your starting point and destination zip codes, and that’s it. This is a professional logistics service that caters to any shipping need, and utilizes several major carriers through their network.

All freight quotes are not equal. For one thing, you don’t want to call a long-distance truckload shipper to move one pallet, or visa-versa. That’s why we recommend Freightrater.co. They automatically find the right shipping service for your individual need.

You are under no obligation to purchase anything. This is a free service and fast too! You owe it to yourself to shop around for the best rate, from the best carrier. Don’t settle for less.

Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) Rose 0.2% in Oct

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:09:15 +0000

Wednesday, December 8, 2010 – The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 0.2 percent in October from its September level, rising for the second consecutive month, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today (Table 1).

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the Freight TSI has risen 5.7 percent over the last 17 months, starting in June 2009, after declining 15.3 percent in the previous 10 months beginning in August 2008.

The index has increased in 13 of the last 17 months (Table 2). Through the first 10 months of 2010, however, the index declined 0.7 percent (Table 3). For additional historic data, go to http://www.bts.gov/xml/tsi/src/index.xml.

The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments in ton-miles, which are then combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.

The October Freight TSI of 98.9 is a 5.7 percent increase from the recent low of 93.5 reached in May 2009. In May 2009, the index was at its lowest level since June 1997. The October Freight TSI is down 12.4 percent from its historic peak of 112.9 reached in May 2006.

Although the index rose 3.2 percent from October 2009 to October 2010, it remains below the level of every other October since 2001 when it was 98.7 (Table 4). January 2010 was the first month since July 2008 in which the Freight TSI exceeded the level of the same month of the previous year. The index has exceeded the previous year’s level every month since January but still remains below the level of recent earlier years.

The freight index is down 10.1 percent in the five years from October 2005 and up 0.1 percent in the 10 years from October 2000 despite recent declines (Table 5).

The TSI is a seasonally adjusted index that measures changes from the monthly average of the base year of 2000. It includes historic data from 1990 to the present. Release of the November index is scheduled for Jan. 12.

For a video explanation of the TSI, see Overview of the Transportation Services Index. A BTS report explaining the TSI, Transportation Services Index and the Economy, is available for download.

Freight Rates Go Up and Down According to Season

admin — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:35:44 +0000

The time of year can drastically alter your freight rates. Since supply and demand is key, at a time of year when demand is down, rates are generally cheaper. This is especially true in the construction arena, and, especially in areas where the weather is cold in the winter. For example, in Chicago, during peak construction season, every construction truck is running hard, six days a week. But, in the winter time, most of them are parked. So, if you have a mountain of sand that you need to move, January would be a great time to negotiate a good rate to have it done.

On the other hand, if you must move it during peak season, expect to pay full rate.

Heavy Haul Freight Rates- Don’t get Ripped Off

admin — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:34:34 +0000

big stuff, you need the big boys, so rates can be astronomical sometimes. It is a well known fact in the trucking industry that the best drivers are the ones doing heavy haul. The trucking companies that cover these loads are the highest rated companies as well. And, the old adage is still true- you get what you pay for.

If you are reading this because you have a heavy load to ship, please get a few quotes before you move it. And get the details ready! You’ll have to measure every dimension. If you are wrong about any dimension, it can drastically affect your freight rate.

If you are a trucking company that’s tired of hauling cheap freight- just don’t do it. I know you can’t afford to sit still, but at the same time, what good is breaking even and tearing up your truck for nothing?

There is no general rate for heavy hauling. Permits are expensive and escorts are too. Everything is relative. You can ship a heavy load for anywhere from $5.00 a mile to $50.00 a mile. There are really too many variables to give you a basic rule of thumb here.

Freight Raters Sources – Do Your Research

admin — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:32:38 +0000

It pays to do some research and know the current market. These links will help you find out all the answers you need when deciding what to charge, whether you are shipping or a trucking company.

/ BTS / ATA / Fox Business / Reuters / eTrucker / Transport Topics /

Freight Raters News Sources

admin — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:31:30 +0000

It pays to do some research and know the current market. These links will help you

find out all the answers you need when deciding what to charge, whether
you are shipping or
a trucking company. You can also find the latest relevant news here.

/ BTS
/ ATA / Fox
Business / Reuters
/ eTrucker
/ Transport
Topics /

Freight Rates During the Recession of 2008/2009

admin — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:29:39 +0000

As you may know, trucking tonnage fell in December of 2008 a whopping 11 to 14% depending on which source you read. And it dropped (or rose) about one point or so (again, depending on which source you read) in January of 2009. February tonnage is up 3.6% though, so it looks like things are getting back on track. It was a tough winter indeed. Those who hung in there will be glad they did when the market takes another upward step. But for those that did hang in there, the rates were terrible all winter long.

More trucks went out of business in 2008 than any other year in history. That’s not to say more trucking companies went under, just bigger companies with more trucks. So, naturally when the market picks back up, there will be fewer trucks to carry all the freight. This is a supply and demand issue, and all experts agree that if the market goes up as much as it typically does this time of year, rates will surely rise to compete for the available trucks.

Freight Rates Go Up and Down According to Market Conditions

admin — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:25:39 +0000

As most of you know, the trucking industry went through a tough time during the winter of 2008/2009. As of this date (3/26/09) truck tonnage is on the way up and is expected to keep rising throughout the quarter. In the big picture, freight volumes have gone up considerably in the past sixteen years according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and are expected to continue, despite the recent lull.

Despite the recent hard times in some sectors, 2008 was a great year, boasting a 3.6% increase in tonnage. Although December of 2008 and January of 2009 showed no notable improvement, February began the climb back up, with truck tonnage rising by 1.7%. More trucks went out of business in 2008 than any other year in history. (Not more trucking companies, but bigger companies with more actual trucks taken off the road.)

So, those that hung in there will reap the rewards later this year, when freight vomumes go higher than trucks available. Remember, it’s all about supply and demand out there.

How to Determine What Freight Rates/ Shipping Costs Should be

admin — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:24:05 +0000

There is a general rule of thumb when determining freight rates. Of course, every company is different and there are a lot of variables to consider, like equipment costs, wages, area, type of freight, type of trailer needed, distance, etc. But in general, it’s safe to assume that trucking usually costs around $1.70 a mile to $5.00 a mile.

Van Freight- Under 350 miles, around $2.60 a mile. Over 350 miles, around $1.90 a mile.
Reefer Freight- Under 350 miles, around $2.90 a mile. Over 350 miles, around $2.10 a mile.
Flatbed Freight- Under 350 miles, around $3.50 a mile. Over 350 miles, around $2.90 a mile.
Heavy Haul Freight- Under 350 miles, around $10.00 a mile. Over 350 miles, around $5.00 a mile.

These are general rates and anything mentioned above can alter it, especially seasonal freight.

Freight Rates Go Up and Down According to Supply and Demand

admin — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:22:01 +0000

Freight rates can and do change from week to week. Just like the stock market and real estate, freight rates vary according to supply an demand. In 2008, more trucks left the industry than any other year in history. More trucking companies have gone out of business in previous years, but never before have several huge companies gone down like in 2008. Although freight volumes are down now, this smaller number of available trucks is very likely to be an important factor later in the year when freight volumes pick up, which most experts agree should happen in the second quarter of 2009 (next month).

At this time however, although available trucks are down, freight volumes are down too. Right now freight rates are just a little lower than average. But again, most experts agree- later this year there will likely be more loads than trucks.