Detention Pay Calculator
Calculate detention charges for pickup or delivery delays. Generate invoice-ready line items.
Based on your rate confirmation terms. Always reference your signed rate confirmation for the agreed detention rate and free time. Detention policies vary by broker and shipper.
Detention Details
When your truck arrived at the facility
When loading/unloading completed and you left
Hours before detention charges begin (per your rate con)
Per your rate confirmation agreement
If your rate con specifies a max daily detention charge, enter it here
Strengthens your detention claim
Required by most brokers for detention claims
Detention Pay Best Practices
Document everything
Photograph arrival time on your ELD, get a facility check-in timestamp, and note the actual loading/unloading completion time. Without documentation, detention claims are easily denied.
Check your rate confirmation
Detention terms vary by agreement. Some rate cons specify free time, hourly rates, and daily caps. Others are silent — in which case detention may be harder to collect. Always negotiate detention terms before accepting a load.
Industry standards
Most rate confirmations allow 2 hours of free time and charge $50–$100/hour after that. FMCSA does not regulate detention rates — they are negotiated between parties. The Advance NPRM on detention time transparency (2024) may change reporting requirements in the future.
HOS impact
Extended detention eats into your 14-hour on-duty window even if you're not driving. A 4-hour detention delay at pickup means 4 fewer hours in your driving window. Factor this into load acceptance decisions.
Calculate how detention affects your remaining drive time →Typical Detention Terms
| Scenario | Free Time | Rate | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard rate con | 2 hrs | $50–$75/hr | $300–$500/day |
| Premium / expedited | 1 hr | $75–$100/hr | No cap common |
| Warehouse / distribution | 2–3 hrs | $50/hr | $250/day |
| Reefer / temp-controlled | 2 hrs | $75/hr | $400/day |
| LTL / drop trailer | 4+ hrs | Varies | Per agreement |
These are industry norms, not regulatory requirements. Actual terms are per your signed rate confirmation.
This calculator is for estimation and documentation purposes only. Detention pay terms are governed by your signed rate confirmation or contract. FMCSA does not regulate detention rates. Always reference your specific agreement for applicable free time, hourly rates, and daily caps.