Free freight tool
Carrier quote comparison template
A free carrier quote comparison spreadsheet that lines up truckload quotes apples-to-apples. Enter each carrier's numbers and the table computes the true all-in cost and rate per mile, then flags the cheapest and fastest. Fill it in below or download the blank CSV.
| Carrier | MC # | Linehaul $ | Fuel surcharge $ | Accessorials $ | Transit days | Valid until | Miles | All-in | Rate / mi | Flag | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | ||||||||||
| — | — | ||||||||||
| — | — |
Nothing you type here leaves your browser — there is no account and no upload. All-in = linehaul + fuel + accessorials. Rate per mile = all-in ÷ miles.
How to compare carrier quotes apples-to-apples
- 1List each carrier by name and MC number so you know who and what you're comparing.
- 2Enter linehaul, fuel surcharge, and accessorials separately — this is where quotes hide their real cost.
- 3Let the all-in total compute automatically: linehaul + fuel + accessorials.
- 4Divide the all-in by loaded miles for rate per mile — the fair way to compare lanes of different lengths.
- 5Record transit days and valid-until so a cheap quote that's slow or already expired doesn't win by accident.
- 6Flag the cheapest all-in and the fastest transit, then decide.
The columns that matter
All-in cost
Linehaul + fuel surcharge + accessorials. The only number that reflects what you'll actually pay.
Linehaul
The base rate for moving the freight, before fuel and extras. Never compare on this alone.
Fuel surcharge
Often quoted separately — or not at all. A missing fuel line is the most common way one quote looks cheaper than it is.
Accessorials
Detention, liftgate, layover, tarps. Small line items that decide close calls.
Transit days & valid-until
A cheap quote that's slow, or that expired yesterday, isn't really the cheapest quote.
MC # & rate per mile
MC number pins down who you're dealing with; rate per mile makes lanes of different lengths comparable.
Tired of filling this in by hand?
This template works fine on its own. If you'd rather not re-key numbers off every carrier email, LaneRate fills the same comparison automatically — it reads each carrier's reply (body, PDF, or spreadsheet), itemizes the charges, and normalizes them to a true all-in total for you.
See how LaneRate does itFrequently asked
- What is a carrier quote comparison spreadsheet?
- It's a table that puts every carrier's freight quote side by side using the same columns — all-in cost, linehaul, fuel surcharge, accessorials, transit days, and rate per mile — so you compare true landed cost instead of headline rates.
- How do I compare freight quotes apples-to-apples?
- Normalize every quote to an all-in total. Add linehaul, fuel surcharge, and accessorials together for each carrier, then divide by loaded miles to get rate per mile. One carrier quoting a lower linehaul can still cost more once fuel and accessorials are included.
- What columns should a freight quote comparison template have?
- Carrier name, MC number, linehaul, fuel surcharge, accessorials, computed all-in total, transit days, valid-until date, loaded miles, and rate per mile. Flag the cheapest all-in and the fastest transit so the decision is obvious.
- Is this carrier quote comparison template free?
- Yes. Fill it in directly in your browser and download a blank CSV template — no account, no signup, and nothing you type is uploaded anywhere.
- Why compare all-in cost instead of the linehaul rate?
- Because fuel surcharge and accessorials often aren't in the linehaul number, and different carriers itemize differently. The all-in total is the only figure that reflects what you'll actually pay.