Detention & Delay
Cost Calculator
Enter appointment, arrival, and completion times to calculate billable detention time, estimated charges, and a copyable summary for invoicing or shipper discussions.
New to detention charges? See definition
Appointment & Timing
Used to calculate early/late arrival — not required for detention calculation.
If completion is past midnight, the calculator will handle overnight automatically.
Detention Terms
Industry standard is 2 hrs. Your carrier agreement may differ.
Industry range: $50–$150/hr. Confirm with your rate confirmation.
What is Detention?
Detention is a charge applied when a carrier's truck is held at a shipper or receiver's facility beyond the agreed free time — typically two hours per stop. It compensates drivers and carriers for lost productive driving time while waiting to be loaded or unloaded.
Detention charges are billed per truck, per stop, and typically begin after free time expires. Some carriers bill in 15-minute or 30-minute increments; others in full-hour increments only. The applicable rate and free time allowance are usually specified on the rate confirmation.
To dispute or avoid detention charges, shippers should document driver arrival times, dock assignment times, and completion times — and communicate any delays as early as possible so the carrier can adjust dispatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does free time start — at appointment or at arrival?
Can the shipper dispute a detention charge?
Does detention apply to both pickup and delivery?
What is a typical detention rate in Canada?
Do overnight loads affect detention calculation?
About this tool
What it calculates
Calculates billable detention time and estimated detention charges based on driver arrival time, departure time, and the carrier's free-time allowance.
Who it's for
Carriers calculating charges to invoice a shipper, and shippers validating detention invoices.
What you'll need
Driver arrival time, departure time, free-time allowance (in minutes or hours), and the carrier's detention rate.
How to use the result
Use to verify or estimate detention charges. Actual charges are governed by the carrier's tariff and the spot or contract rate agreed at booking.
Key assumptions
Free time defaults to 2 hours if not specified. Detention clock start and stop rules vary by carrier — some start from appointment time, others from actual arrival.
When to confirm with a specialist
For disputed detention invoices or facilities with consistently long loading times, contact OTR Logistics Solutions to discuss preventive measures and carrier rate negotiations.
Need help with this shipment?
OTR Logistics Solutions specialists available 24/7 — no account required.
Related Free Tools
OTR Hub
Loading Detention & Delay Cost Calculator…
Preparing the tool while keeping this page in place.