5 Ways to Reduce Your LTL Freight Costs in 2026

1. Optimize Your Freight Class

The NMFC freight class is one of the biggest drivers of LTL pricing. Many shippers default to an estimated class, which is often higher than their actual commodity class. A proper class audit can reduce rates by 10-20% immediately.

2. Consolidate Shipments Where Possible

Small, frequent shipments cost more per pound than consolidated loads. If you're sending 3-4 LTL shipments per week to the same region, consolidating to 1-2 shipments can cut your cost per pound significantly.

3. Use a Carrier Network, Not a Single Carrier

Locking into one carrier relationship means you have zero leverage on pricing. Using a broker with access to 200+ carriers creates competition on every lane — which keeps rates at market minimum.

4. Get Ahead of Accessorials

Unexpected accessorial charges — liftgate, residential delivery, redelivery — are where most shippers lose control of costs. Identify every applicable accessorial before quoting and include them. A lower base rate with surprise accessorials often costs more than a slightly higher all-in rate.

5. Negotiate Transit Time Flexibility

If your freight doesn't have a hard delivery deadline, you have negotiating leverage. Giving carriers 1-2 days of flexibility on a lane can reduce rates by 8-15% — and you still get consistent service.

Bottom Line

Freight costs aren't fixed. They're a function of how well you're buying. Companies that treat LTL rates as negotiable — and use the right tools and partners to negotiate — consistently pay 15-25% less than those who don't.