All-in rate
An all-in rate is a single quoted figure covering line haul, fuel surcharge and any agreed accessorials, with no separate components listed.
Last reviewed · by the Fleetchart team
All-in quoting is common on spot freight because it is simpler to agree. The trade-off is that fuel movement is absorbed by the carrier for the life of the load.
When comparing an all-in rate against a rate quoted with a separate surcharge, add the surcharge before comparing — otherwise the all-in load will look better than it is.
For example, say Broker A offers $2,000 all-in for 800 miles, and Broker B offers $1,700 line haul plus a $0.45 per mile fuel surcharge on the same lane. B's surcharge is 800 × $0.45 = $360, so B pays $1,700 + $360 = $2,060. A looks bigger at first glance, but B pays $60 more: $2,060 ÷ 800 = $2.575 a mile against $2,000 ÷ 800 = $2.50.
All-in rates also leave you open to fuel prices. Say you book a week ahead, diesel rises 30 cents a gallon before the load runs, and the truck uses 130 gallons on the trip. That is 130 × $0.30 = $39 more in fuel, and on an all-in load it comes out of your pocket.