Detention Time Cost Calculator
Calculate the true cost of detention at shippers and receivers, including billable detention charges, lost revenue from missed loads, and total financial impact.
Results
Visualization
How It Works
Detention time is one of the most expensive hidden costs in trucking. When shippers or receivers take longer than the agreed free time to load or unload, drivers lose both billable hours and the opportunity to earn revenue on the road. The average truck driver loses 15-20 hours per week to detention, costing the industry over $1.3 billion annually. This calculator shows the full financial impact of excessive wait times.
The Formula
Detention Charges = Billable Hours x Detention Rate
Opportunity Cost = Total Wait Hours x Missed Revenue Rate
Total Cost = Detention Charges + Opportunity Cost
Variables
- Detention Rate — Hourly rate charged to the shipper/receiver after free time expires
- Free Time — Non-billable loading/unloading time, typically 1-2 hours
- Actual Wait — Total time spent at the facility from arrival to departure
- Missed Revenue — Hourly rate you would earn if driving instead of waiting
Worked Example
A driver waits 5 hours at a shipper with 2 hours free time. Detention rate is $50/hour and missed revenue is $75/hour. Billable detention: 3 hours x $50 = $150. Opportunity cost: 5 hours x $75 = $375. Total cost: $525. If this happens twice per week, the annual impact exceeds $52,000.
Practical Tips
- Always document your arrival time with a timestamped photo of the facility and check-in paperwork.
- Negotiate detention rates upfront in your rate confirmation. Getting $50-75/hour in writing prevents disputes later.
- Track your worst offender facilities and factor detention risk into your rate when booking those loads.
- Use apps like Trucker Path or DAT to check facility reviews and average wait times before accepting loads.
- File accessorial charges promptly. Many brokers deny detention claims submitted more than 48-72 hours after delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard free time for loading/unloading?
Industry standard is 2 hours of free time for loading or unloading. Some contracts specify 1 hour for drop-and-hook or 3 hours for live loads of specialized freight.
What is a fair detention rate?
Detention rates typically range from $25 to $100 per hour, with $50-$75 being most common. Owner-operators should charge at least $50/hour to cover fixed costs and lost revenue.
Can I refuse to wait for excessive detention?
Legally yes, but it may burn the relationship with the broker or shipper. Document the delay, communicate clearly, and weigh the cost of waiting against the cost of leaving the load.
How does detention affect my HOS clock?
Time spent waiting at a facility counts as on-duty (not driving) time, which still runs against your 14-hour window and 70-hour cycle even though you are not earning revenue.
How do I get paid for detention time?
Submit a detention claim to the broker or shipper with your arrival/departure timestamps, facility sign-in sheet, and BOL. Include detention terms from your rate confirmation as backup.