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Accessorial Charge vs Linehaul
The practical difference
Accessorial charge and linehaul are the two main components of a freight invoice, and understanding which part of the rate covers what matters for both quoting loads and disputing billing. Linehaul is the base transportation charge: the price for moving freight from the pickup location to the delivery destination. Everything else is an accessorial — a separate charge for a service that goes beyond basic transportation. Common accessorials include detention (waiting time at a facility), driver assist (helping load or unload freight), extra stops, liftgate service, inside delivery, fuel surcharge (in some formats), and TWIC card or hazmat requirements. Some brokers include the fuel surcharge in the linehaul as an all-in rate; others bill it separately. Understanding which charges are linehaul and which are accessorials matters when a broker disputes a charge or when reviewing whether a rate confirmation actually covers everything the load requires.
The cleanest way to separate the terms is to attach each one to a specific document, party, cost, mile type, or piece of equipment.
| Question | Accessorial Charge | Linehaul |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Extra services beyond basic transport: detention, driver assist, extra stops, liftgate, inside delivery. | The base cost of moving freight from pickup to delivery — the core transportation charge. |
| Where it appears | As separate line items on the rate confirmation and invoice, each requiring documentation or pre-approval. | As the primary number in a rate quote — the starting point before any extras are added. |
| Billing risk | Can be disputed or denied if not pre-approved in writing on the rate confirmation before the load moves. | Rarely disputed on its own, but confusion arises when comparing all-in and linehaul-only quotes. |
When each one matters
- Use linehaul when discussing or quoting the base transportation rate — the core charge for moving freight from point A to point B.
- Use accessorial charge when discussing any service beyond basic transportation — detention, driver assist, extra stops, liftgate, or inside delivery — that will appear as a separate line item.
- The distinction matters most when building an invoice or reviewing a rate confirmation: a rate confirmation that does not explicitly list accessorial terms is a setup for a billing dispute after the load is complete.
What to check before acting on it
Start with the record that raised the question, then name which term controls that decision.
- Check which exact document, role, charge, mileage basis, or equipment requirement uses Accessorial Charge.
- Check which separate decision depends on Linehaul.
- Write the final answer in plain language so dispatch, billing, and the driver are not using one term for two different things.
Example in trucking
A rate confirmation for a load from Dallas to Atlanta shows: linehaul $1,650, fuel surcharge $148 (based on the broker's FSC schedule), driver assist at delivery $75, and detention policy $50/hr after 2 free hours. When the carrier delivers and invoices, they bill $1,650 linehaul + $148 FSC + $75 driver assist + $150 detention (3 hours at $50). Total invoice is $2,023. If the carrier only billed the linehaul without the accessorials, they would collect $1,372 less than they earned — each accessorial line item was a separate, documented charge, not part of the base linehaul.
How people confuse them
- Using Accessorial Charge and Linehaul as interchangeable labels because they appeared on the same load.
- Sending the right document for the wrong question, which slows down billing, setup, or review.
- Letting a quick text message override the written rate confirmation, policy, log, or official record.
Quick questions
What is the main difference between Accessorial Charge and Linehaul?
An accessorial charge is an extra fee added for services beyond the basic move — detention, driver assist, extra stops, or liftgate; linehaul is the base charge for transporting the freight from origin to destination.
When should a trucking office check Accessorial Charge vs Linehaul?
Use linehaul when discussing or quoting the base transportation rate — the core charge for moving freight from point A to point B. Use accessorial charge when discussing any service beyond basic transportation — detention, driver assist, extra stops, liftgate, or inside delivery — that will appear as a separate line item. The distinction matters most when building an invoice or reviewing a rate confirmation: a rate confirmation that does not explicitly list accessorial terms is a setup for a billing dispute after the load is complete.
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Last updated: 2026-05-10