The hazmat premium is not one number.
LIVE's own report puts the hazmat premium over dry van at about 23 percent since 2023. Split by distance, that average hides where the money is: it is on the short hauls.
Class 3 against dry van, 2024 to 2026
| Distance | Class 3 $/mi | Dry van $/mi | Premium | Class 3 loads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50-249 mi | $5.60 | $3.61 | +55% | 65 |
| 250-499 mi | $4.77 | $3.50 | +36% | 592 |
| 500-749 mi | $3.54 | $2.80 | +26% | 374 |
| 750-999 mi | $2.79 | $2.58 | +8% | 291 |
| 1000-1499 mi | $2.71 | $2.36 | +15% | 401 |
| 1500+ mi | $2.24 | $1.90 | +18% | 71 |
What it means
On hauls under 500 miles the premium runs from 36% to 55%. Past 750 miles it narrows to between 8% and 18%. One likely reason: the endorsement, the placards and the paperwork cost the same on a 200-mile load as on a 1,200-mile one, so on a short haul that fixed cost is spread over fewer miles.
- Carriers: if you hold the endorsement, short hazmat hauls are where it earns its keep.
- Shippers: a short-haul hazmat bid at dry van money is not a bargain, it is a carrier who has not priced the load.
- Quote by band, not by average. The average hides the shape.
Class 3 flammable liquids against non-hazardous dry van, median all-in rate per mile, loads moved by LIVE Global Logistics. Other classes and periods are in the rate calculator. The year-by-year premium and the 2023 jump are in the Hazmat Freight Report.
Questions
How much more does hazmat pay than dry van?
LIVE's records show about 23 percent since 2023 across all distances, and much more on short hauls.
Where does hazmat pay the most?
On hauls under about 500 miles. The premium narrows past 750 miles.
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