The most transparent drayage providers explain their base rate, fuel surcharge, accessorial charges and billing conditions before a container moves. Look for a written fee schedule, a clear fuel calculation method, defined free time and documentation supporting any additional charges.
Publicly available examples include Taylor Distributing’s weekly fuel surcharge methodology, ContainerPort Group’s accessorial guide and IMC’s published carrier accessorial schedules. Each shows a different part of the pricing picture. None of them establishes an industry-wide ranking or guarantees the final cost of a shipment.
For Cincinnati-area partners, Taylor Distributing publishes a weekly fuel surcharge methodology tied to the EIA Midwest PADD 2 on-highway diesel benchmark. That gives customers a clear reference point for fuel adjustments. For a specific move, request the applicable accessorial schedule alongside your lane quote. [1]
ContainerPort Group’s public accessorial guide describes conditions for charges including driver waiting time, chassis usage, storage and congestion surcharges. Some amounts require a separate rate guide or confirmation from the provider. [2]
IMC publishes carrier-specific accessorial schedules, including an Intermodal Cartage Company schedule listing charge categories and billing units. The available document carries an older version date, so confirm the current schedule for the carrier and location handling your shipment. [3]
A published tariff is a useful starting point. The stronger test is whether the provider makes the charges that apply to your shipment clear in writing.
A base drayage rate alone is not enough to compare providers. Ask each carrier to identify included services, likely additional charges and the conditions that could change your total.
| Charge | What to confirm before booking |
|---|---|
| Base drayage | Pickup and delivery points, loaded move, empty return and included stops. |
| Fuel surcharge | Benchmark, percentage or formula, which charges it applies to and the effective period. |
| Chassis usage | Daily or per-move rate, minimum days and when billing begins and ends. |
| Chassis split | Fee for collecting or returning a chassis at a separate location and whether each leg is billed. |
| Driver waiting time | Free time at each location, when the clock starts, the rate and the rounding increment. |
| Pre-pull and yard storage | Cost to retrieve a container before delivery, daily storage and any overlapping equipment charges. |
| Demurrage and per diem | Who assesses the charge, free-time limits, responsibility and any advancement or administration fee. |
| Other conditional charges | Dry runs, overweight equipment, permits, extra stops, congestion and after-hours service. |
In a drayage quote, detention may refer to the driver waiting beyond included free time. In ocean shipping, detention may refer to keeping carrier equipment outside a terminal beyond its free time. Ask the provider to identify the charge, who bills it and which clock applies.
Pre-pulling a container may reduce exposure to terminal storage while adding a pre-pull move, yard storage and additional chassis days. ContainerPort Group’s guide, for example, notes that overnight storage can coexist with per diem and daily chassis charges. Compare the combined cost of each option. [2]
The goal is an apples-to-apples view of total cost, not just the headline rate. Work through these steps with every provider you are considering.
Illustrative example only. These figures are not Taylor rates or market averages. Assumes fuel applies only to the base rate, three billable chassis days and no other charges.
| Cost component | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| Base drayage | $400.00 | $450.00 |
| Fuel surcharge at 25% | $100.00 | $112.50 |
| Three chassis days | $150.00 | $105.00 |
| Pre-pull | $150.00 | Included |
| Estimated total | $800.00 | $667.50 |
Quote B has the higher base rate but the lower total for this scenario. Always ask what “included” covers and which events would create additional charges.
- Arrival and departure timestamps
- Interchange receipts
- Empty return confirmations
- Third-party invoices
Agree on notification and approval procedures before dispatch.
Sometimes. A quote may bundle certain services while excluding others. Ask for a written breakdown of included services, conditional charges, free time and applicable billing rules.
Only the charges and conditions expressly included. Confirm how the quote treats waiting time, extra chassis days, pre-pulls, storage, unsuccessful trips and changes to empty return instructions.
No provider can control every terminal delay, equipment shortage or receiving appointment change. Clear planning and communication can help reduce avoidable charges and explain costs when conditions change.
Taylor Distributing publishes a weekly calculation method using the EIA Midwest PADD 2 on-highway diesel price. Review the fuel update and confirm the applicable surcharge and effective period with your quote.
Taylor’s rate request form asks for equipment size, steamship line, weight, commodity, pickup or delivery destination, rail ramp, equipment termination location and special requirements such as pre-pull, drop or hazardous cargo. Include timing and free-time details when available.
We exist for our people and to care for our customers’ inventory. Send our team your shipment details and we will walk through the lane rate, fuel surcharge and applicable accessorial charges with you before anything moves.
Request a Drayage QuoteEmail rates@taylordist.com or call (513) 771-1850
- [1] Taylor Distributing weekly fuel surcharge methodology
- [2] ContainerPort Group accessorial guide dated June 5 2024
- [3] IMC Intermodal Cartage Company accessorial schedule version 10/20
- [4] Taylor Distributing drayage rate request
- [5] Taylor Distributing Cincinnati drayage services
Sources reviewed October 23, 2026. Public schedules may change. Obtain the current applicable quote and terms for each shipment.
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