Detention Pay Rates 2026
Know what to charge for waiting time. Current industry detention rates range from $50-$125/hour depending on freight type and equipment.
O TruckingDetention Pay Rates 2026: $50-$125/Hour Industry Rates
Key Takeaways
- Standard detention rates run $50–$90/hour; specialized freight commands $75–$125/hour.
- Detention usually begins after 2 hours of free time, though some specialized loads allow 3 hours.
- Detention is an accessorial charge, not a legal entitlement, so the rate and start time must be agreed in writing.
- Document arrival with timestamped photos and a facility check-in, then invoice within 24–48 hours.
- The ATRI average rate (~$63/hour) is below the average operating cost (~$66.65/hour), so unpaid detention is a real loss.
$50-$90
Standard freight/hour
$75-$125
Specialized freight/hour
2 hours
Standard free time
$63/hr
Industry average (ATRI)
Detention Rates by Freight Type (2026)
| Freight Type | Rate Range | Typical Rate | Free Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Van | $50-$75/hour | $65/hour | 2 hours | Standard rate, most common freight type |
| Reefer | $60-$90/hour | $75/hour | 2 hours | Higher due to equipment costs and temperature sensitivity |
| Flatbed | $65-$100/hour | $80/hour | 2-3 hours | Includes tarping time when applicable |
| Step Deck/RGN | $75-$125/hour | $95/hour | 3 hours | Specialized equipment commands premium rates |
| Hazmat | $75-$125/hour | $100/hour | 2 hours | Higher risk and driver certification requirements |
| LTL/Hotshot | $45-$75/hour | $60/hour | 1-2 hours | Multiple stops may have different detention policies |
Industry Detention Statistics
$63/hour
Average rate charged to shippers (ATRI 2025)
$66.65/hour
Average trucking operating cost per hour
2 hours
Industry standard free time
$15.1B
Annual economic loss from detention (ATRI)
17%
Drivers who NEVER receive detention pay
3.1 hours
Average detention time per occurrence
The Problem with Detention
According to ATRI, drivers lose $1.1-$1.3 billion in wages annually due to detention. The average rate charged ($63/hour) is BELOW the average operating cost ($66.65/hour). You're losing money waiting—if you even get paid at all.
Detention Cost Calculator
Example: 5 hours at shipper, 2 hours free time
How to Get Your Detention Pay
Establish rates BEFORE accepting the load
Never assume detention is included. Get the rate and start time in writing on the rate confirmation.
Document arrival time immediately
Take timestamped photos of the facility, your BOL, and any signage. This is your evidence.
Get a facility check-in timestamp
Have the guard shack or receiving log your arrival. Request a signed gate pass.
Communicate delays in real-time
Text or call your dispatcher/broker when approaching 2 hours. Create a paper trail.
Invoice immediately after delivery
Submit detention invoices within 24-48 hours with documentation. Delays reduce collection success.
Know when to walk away
If detention isn't honored consistently by a shipper/broker, factor that into future load decisions.
Common Detention Mistakes That Cost You Money
- Assuming detention is automatic — if the rate and free time aren't on the rate confirmation, a broker can decline the charge.
- No proof of in/out times. Relying on memory instead of timestamped photos, a signed gate log, or check-in app screenshots sinks most claims.
- Waiting too long to invoice. Submitting after the load is closed out (past 24–48 hours) lowers your collection odds.
- Billing the wrong charge — confusing detention with layover or TONU gets the whole accessorial denied.
- Not flagging the delay in real time, so there's no paper trail showing you communicated as you approached the free-time limit.
Free Time Standards by Facility Type
National Standard
Most common across all regions
California
AB 794 proposals for mandatory detention pay pending
Port Facilities
Often shorter due to high volume
Grocery/Retail DCs
Often have longer processing times
Manufacturing
Generally honor detention policies
Construction Sites
Variable, negotiate case-by-case
Detention vs. Layover vs. TONU: Don't Bill the Wrong Charge
Detention is only one of several accessorial charges that protect your time. Billing the wrong one is a common reason claims get denied.
Detention
Hourly pay for waiting past free time at a shipper or receiver. See how detention time and pay work.
Layover
Flat daily pay when you're held overnight or a full day. Compare layover vs. detention pay.
TONU
“Truck Ordered Not Used” when a canceled load leaves you empty. See 2026 TONU rates.
All three belong on your accessorial charges list and should be spelled out on the rate confirmation before you accept the load.
Detention Pay FAQs
What is the standard detention pay rate in 2026?
Standard detention rates in 2026 generally run $50–$90/hour for dry van and reefer freight and $75–$125/hour for specialized freight like flatbed, hazmat, and step deck/RGN. Rates vary by lane, broker, and equipment, so treat these as negotiating ranges rather than fixed numbers.
When does detention pay start?
Detention usually starts after 2 hours of free time at the shipper or receiver, with some specialized freight allowing 3 hours. The clock and the rate should both be confirmed in writing — never assume the standard 2 hours applies until it's on the rate confirmation.
How do I get my detention pay?
Lock the rate before you accept, document your arrival with timestamped photos, get a facility check-in timestamp, message your dispatcher or broker as you approach the free-time limit, and invoice within 24–48 hours with proof. Our full walkthrough on how to negotiate detention pay covers the scripts.
Can a broker refuse to pay detention?
Yes. Detention is an accessorial charge, not a legal entitlement, so a broker can decline it when the rate or free time was never agreed in writing or when you can't prove your in and out times. Protect yourself by getting the detention rate on the rate confirmation first, then backing your claim with a signed gate log, BOL timestamps, and check-in app screenshots.
What's the difference between detention pay and layover pay?
Detention pays you by the hour for waiting past free time, usually billed in 1-hour increments after a 2-hour grace period. Layover is a flat daily amount when you're held overnight or a full day — for example, a Friday delivery that can't unload until Monday. A single trip can trigger both. See layover vs. detention pay.
We Fight for Your Detention Pay
Our dispatch team negotiates detention into every rate confirmation and follows up to ensure you get paid. No more leaving money on the table.