TFTruck Freight Calculator

Open-deck truckload

Flatbed Freight Cost per Mile: Rate and Securement Worksheet

Calculate an open-deck truckload from an entered lane rate, then add only the agreed fuel, tarping, securement, permit and event charges.

Direct answer

There is no defensible universal live flatbed rate per mile. Use a current lane- and equipment-specific rate from a carrier, broker, contract or rate confirmation. As an arithmetic example—not a market quote—750 loaded miles at an entered $3.00 per mile equals $2,250 linehaul; a separately entered 25% fuel surcharge and $450 of other charges produce $3,262.50.

What changes the result?

A useful calculation starts with the physical scope and the written commercial terms. These are the factors to make explicit:

  • Exact lane, date and loaded-mile basis
  • Flatbed, step-deck or specialized equipment
  • Cargo dimensions, weight and center of gravity
  • Tarping, blocking, bracing and securement
  • Permits, escorts, stops, detention and site access

Use one scope for every quote

Give each business the same information and ask it to resolve the same boundaries. That makes the totals more comparable and exposes work left as an allowance or exclusion.

  1. Create a complete cargo specification
  2. Obtain a current equipment-specific rate
  3. Define securement and tarping responsibility
  4. Record fuel and every separate charge

Use a current commercial rate, not a national average

For the example, 750 miles multiplied by an entered $3.00 rate equals $2,250. A separately entered 25% fuel amount adds $562.50, and $450 entered for agreed tarping, securement or other work produces $3,262.50.

Replace every input with the exact lane, date, trailer and written commercial terms. If fuel, tarping or securement is already included in an all-in rate, do not add it again.

Open-deck scope starts with the cargo

Provide final dimensions, weight, packaging, center of gravity, lift points, weather sensitivity, loading method and origin and destination site constraints. Oversize, overweight, overheight or overlength freight may need a different trailer, route survey, permits or escorts.

State who supplies tarps, chains, straps, dunnage, edge protection, blocking and loading labor. Quote the equipment and work actually required rather than applying a generic flatbed premium to a dry-van rate.

Securement is a safety requirement, not just an accessorial

FMCSA rules require cargo to be firmly immobilized or secured and set performance, working-load-limit and tiedown requirements, with additional commodity-specific rules for certain loads. A calculator cannot design or approve a securement plan.

Use qualified parties to determine the equipment and securement method. Preserve the cargo specification, rate confirmation, permit responsibility, site requirements, inspection evidence and any detention or rejected-load terms.

Questions people ask

What is the average flatbed freight rate per mile?

There is no reliable universal live rate. Lane, date, equipment, dimensions, weight, tarping, securement and capacity all matter. Enter a current commercial rate for the exact shipment.

How do I calculate a flatbed load total?

Multiply the agreed loaded miles by the agreed per-mile rate, apply fuel once under the governing terms, then add only work and event charges outside that rate.

Are tarping and securement included in a flatbed rate?

It depends on the written offer. State the cargo and responsibilities and ask which equipment and labor are included before comparing totals.

Can this calculator determine the required tiedowns?

No. FMCSA securement requirements and cargo-specific conditions need qualified operational assessment; this page is a cost worksheet only.

Method and sources

The model is a planning tool, not a quotation. These are the published sources used for this page; read the full assumptions before relying on a range. Source review: 17 September 2026.

Review full methodology