Detention Pay Rates by Load Type (2026)
Detention pay rates typically range from $50–$75 per hour for dry van and flatbed freight, and $75–$100 per hour for refrigerated loads. Rates are set by the rate confirmation, not by a universal standard — but most carriers negotiate within these ranges, and brokers who offer significantly less are worth pushing back on.
Detention Rates by Freight Type
| Load Type | Typical Rate Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dry van | $50–$75/hour | Most common range; larger brokers often standardize at $50 |
| Refrigerated (reefer) | $75–$100/hour | Higher rates reflect driver time + reefer fuel costs |
| Flatbed | $50–$75/hour | Similar to dry van; varies by cargo type |
| Hazmat | $75–$125/hour | Reflects regulatory complexity and driver certification |
| Oversized / permitted | $75–$150+/hour | Varies significantly; negotiate on each load |
| Tanker | $65–$100/hour | Cleaning and compliance time affects rates |
| Auto transport | $50–$75/hour | Per-vehicle caps sometimes apply |
These are industry ranges based on commonly negotiated terms. What you actually collect is what’s written in your rate confirmation.
Detention Frequency by Load Type
Knowing the rate is only half the picture. Frequency matters just as much — a higher-rate load type with lower detention frequency may generate less total detention than a lower-rate type with very high frequency.
According to ATRI’s 2024 Detention Study:
| Load Type | Detention Frequency |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 56.2% of stops |
| All freight (average) | 39.3% of stops |
| Dry van | Approximately 36–38% |
| Flatbed | Varies by industry; generally lower |
The refrigerated freight finding is striking: more than half of all reefer stops result in detention. For a 100-truck reefer fleet running 12 loads per truck per month, that’s approximately 672 detention events per month. At $85/hour average for 2.5 hours of billable detention, that’s roughly $142,800 owed per month — and at a 45% collection rate, $78,540 going uncollected.
Why Rates Vary Within the Same Load Type
Even within dry van or reefer, detention rates vary considerably based on:
Broker negotiating standards. Large national brokers (Coyote, Echo, TQL, etc.) often have standardized accessorial schedules that specify detention rates. These are starting points, not ceilings.
Lane and shipper type. High-demand lanes give carriers more negotiating leverage. Grocery distribution centers and cold chain facilities — known for longer dwell times — are worth negotiating higher rates on specifically.
Fleet size and relationship. Carriers with larger fleets and established broker relationships often command higher rates than spot market players.
Whether you negotiate at all. Many carriers accept whatever rate is on the broker’s standard RC template without pushing back. Asking for a higher detention rate is normal. Brokers who want your capacity will often accommodate reasonable requests.
How to Negotiate Better Detention Rates
Before Accepting a Load
When reviewing a rate confirmation:
- Find the detention section (look for “detention,” “layover,” or “accessorial” terms)
- Note the rate offered
- If it’s below your floor, respond to the broker with your standard detention terms: “Our standard detention rate is $75/hour, 2-hour free time. Please update the RC to reflect this.”
- For regular broker relationships, establish a standing rate agreement in writing and reference it on every load
Use Facility History to Your Advantage
If you have data showing that a specific facility or broker consistently triggers detention above a certain frequency, use that in negotiations: “Our records show we’ve had detention on 7 of the last 10 loads to [facility]. Our rate for loads at this facility is $85/hour.”
This is where broker and facility scorecards pay off — historical data gives you negotiating leverage.
Know the Minimum Worth Negotiating
For spot loads with small detention amounts and brokers you don’t expect to see again, the negotiation cost may exceed the gain. Prioritize negotiation effort on high-frequency lanes, high-dwell facilities, and regular broker relationships.
What the Rate Doesn’t Cover (and What Does)
Detention pay covers the driver’s time beyond free time. It doesn’t typically cover:
- Reefer fuel costs during extended waiting periods (bill separately if your RC allows)
- Layover if the driver is held overnight (this is a separate accessorial — see our Layover Pay Guide)
- TONU (Truck Ordered Not Used) if the load is canceled after dispatch (separate accessorial)
- Deadhead miles incurred due to detention-related delays (rarely recoverable through detention billing)
Make sure your rate confirmation addresses each of these separately if they’re relevant to your operation.
The Actual Cost of Below-Market Rates
Consider a 100-truck reefer fleet:
| Scenario | Monthly Detention Events | Rate | Total Owed | At 80% Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $65/hr (below market) | 600 | $65 × 2.5 hr avg | $97,500 | $78,000 |
| $85/hr (at market) | 600 | $85 × 2.5 hr avg | $127,500 | $102,000 |
| Difference | — | — | $30,000 | $24,000/month |
Negotiating $20/hour better rates across your reefer fleet is worth $24,000/month at 80% collection — $288,000/year, before improving your collection rate at all.
Rate negotiation and collection rate improvement are both levers. Most carriers underinvest in both.
Related Articles
- What Is Detention Pay in Trucking?
- How to Negotiate Detention Terms Before Accepting a Load
- How to Calculate Detention Pay Owed
- Layover Pay Guide for Carriers
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