How much does it cost to ship a pallet?
Real prices from 97,360 LTL shipments Armstrong Transport Group arranged between September 2025 – August 2026, grouped by how many pallets moved and how far. Use them to budget, then get a live rate for your lane.
Short answer: A single pallet shipped by LTL had a median all-in price of $330, and half of them cost between $240 and $465 (September 2025 – August 2026, median weight 450 lb). Inside one state the median was $225; cross-country it was $400. Distance, weight, freight class and accessorials like liftgate set where your pallet lands in that range.
Updated November 2, 2026 · By the GetShippingRates team at Armstrong Transport Group
What 1 to 12 pallets cost to ship by LTL
Each cell is the median price with the middle 50% of shipments under it. “Regional” means the same or a neighboring region of the country (for example Charlotte to Atlanta or Chicago to Columbus); “long haul” is everything farther, such as Los Angeles to Dallas or New Jersey to Texas.
| Pallets | Median weight | Within one state | Regional | Long haul | All distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 pallet | 450 lb | $225$165–$300 | $295$225–$410 | $400$300–$555 | $330$240–$465 |
| 2 pallets | 1,430 lb | $285$210–$415 | $430$315–$590 | $655$490–$865 | $500$350–$710 |
| 3 pallets | 2,410 lb | $350$260–$480 | $550$405–$750 | $840$645–$1,125 | $645$450–$900 |
| 4 pallets | 3,600 lb | $395$295–$565 | $645$465–$860 | $1,020$755–$1,375 | $755$510–$1,085 |
| 5–6 pallets | 4,900 lb | $460$330–$635 | $760$570–$1,055 | $1,260$935–$1,675 | $915$620–$1,325 |
| 7–12 pallets | 7,300 lb | $550$405–$835 | $1,080$730–$1,475 | $1,765$1,270–$2,425 | $1,280$810–$1,890 |
Historical benchmark, not a quote. 96,685 LTL shipments of 1 to 12 pallets arranged by Armstrong Transport Group, picked up September 2025 – August 2026. Middle 50% of the all-in price billed to the shipper (linehaul, fuel and accessorials), median in bold, rounded to $5. How these are built.
What shippers actually paid on comparable LTL shipments, September 2025 – August 2026. Good for budgeting and for checking whether a quote is in the normal range. It can’t know your lane, dates or accessorials.
Today's price for your exact pickup and delivery ZIPs, ship date, freight class and accessorials, from 50+ carriers at once. That's the number you book.
Why two pallets of the same size cost different amounts
1. Distance
The same single pallet had a median price of $225 inside one state, $295 regionally and $400 cross-country. Median transit was 1 business day locally, 2 regionally and 4 long haul.
2. Freight class (density)
Carriers charge more per pound for light, bulky freight. For shipments of 500 to 999 lb, here is the median price by class band:
| Class band | 500–999 lb shipment |
|---|---|
| Class 50–65 (dense) | $280$210–$395 |
| Class 70–92.5 | $335$245–$460 |
| Class 100–125 | $365$265–$525 |
| Class 150+ (light, bulky) | $575$415–$760 |
Historical benchmark, not a quote. 16,360 LTL shipments of 500 to 999 lb with a recorded class arranged by Armstrong Transport Group, picked up September 2025 – August 2026. Middle 50% of the all-in price billed to the shipper (linehaul, fuel and accessorials), median in bold, rounded to $5. How these are built.
Dense freight (class 50 to 65) had a median of $280; light, bulky freight (class 150 and up) $575 for the same weight. Stacking, shrinking the pallet footprint or consolidating cartons raises density and can drop the class.
3. Accessorials
Liftgate, residential delivery, limited-access sites (schools, farms, construction), inside delivery and delivery appointments are each a separate charge. Put them on the quote request; adding them after delivery is how a quote turns into a larger invoice.
4. Season
For 500 to 999 lb shipments, the monthly median moved within a narrow band across the year:
| Month | 500–999 lb shipment |
|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | $395$265–$575 |
| Oct 2025 | $380$255–$575 |
| Nov 2025 | $375$265–$555 |
| Dec 2025 | $375$265–$550 |
| Jan 2026 | $385$260–$565 |
| Feb 2026 | $390$270–$570 |
| Mar 2026 | $415$290–$610 |
| Apr 2026 | $400$275–$615 |
| May 2026 | $405$290–$610 |
| Jun 2026 | $400$275–$595 |
| Jul 2026 | $395$275–$575 |
| Aug 2026 | $400$280–$585 |
Historical benchmark, not a quote. 19,781 LTL shipments of 500 to 999 lb arranged by Armstrong Transport Group, picked up September 2025 – August 2026. Middle 50% of the all-in price billed to the shipper (linehaul, fuel and accessorials), median in bold, rounded to $5. How these are built.
Five ways to lower what a pallet costs
- Measure and weigh before you quote. Carriers inspect and re-bill freight that doesn’t match the bill of lading. An accurate quote is cheaper than a reweigh.
- Build dense, stackable pallets. A tighter footprint can drop the freight class. If it can’t be stacked, say so up front.
- Ship dock to dock where you can. A business with a dock or forklift avoids liftgate and residential charges.
- Compare carriers on every shipment. Regional carriers often price best inside their footprint, national carriers on long lanes. Rating 50+ carriers at once shows both.
- Check the trailer math at 5+ pallets. Use the pallet and trailer space calculator and the shipping cost calculator to see whether volume LTL or a truckload fits better.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship one pallet?
Across 55,807 single-pallet LTL shipments from September 2025 – August 2026, the median all-in price was $330 and the middle half ran $240 to $465. Inside one state the median was $225, regional $295, and cross-country $400.
Is the second pallet cheaper than the first?
Per pallet, yes. Two pallets had a median price of $500 against $330 for one, and four pallets $755. Carriers price on weight with falling rates per hundredweight as weight rises, and the pickup and delivery cost is shared across more freight.
Do these prices include fuel and liftgate?
They are the all-in amount billed to the shipper: linehaul, fuel surcharge and any accessorials on that shipment. A shipment needing liftgate or residential delivery sits higher in the range than one going dock to dock.
Why is my quote outside this range?
A quarter of real shipments cost less than the low end and a quarter cost more. Light, bulky freight (high freight class), remote ZIPs, residential or limited-access delivery, and guaranteed service all push a quote up. A dense pallet moving between two busy terminals can come in below it.
When should several pallets go by truckload instead?
Most carriers treat shipments over about 6 pallets, 10,000 lb or 12 linear feet as volume LTL. Past roughly 12 to 14 pallet positions or 20,000 lb, a dedicated truck is usually cheaper. Compare both: see LTL vs truckload.
More shipping cost guides
Get a live pallet rate for your lane
Tell us the pickup and delivery ZIPs, the pallet count, weight and dimensions, and any liftgate or residential stops. An Armstrong specialist replies with rates from 50+ LTL carriers, usually the same business day.
Prefer to talk? Call 877-240-1181 or email info@getshippingrates.com. Shipping several modes? Request a free multimodal shipping review.