Detention calculator.
Times in, money out. Detention is time on site minus free time, at the contract rate, in the contract's increments, and only when the truck arrived on time. The calculator does the arithmetic and says whether the claim stands; the checklist underneath is what a shipper will pay against.
The packet a shipper pays against
- Rate confirmation or shipper contract showing the appointment window, free time and hourly rate
- Bill of lading or POD with the facility's time in and time out (stamped or written by the facility)
- Tracking or ELD record that agrees with those times
- Proof the truck arrived inside its appointment window
- Notice sent to the shipper while the truck was still waiting
- The one-line calculation, submitted before the shipper's accessorial cutoff
Most detention goes unbilled because one of these is missing when the claim is due, not because the wait is disputed. The guide on detention claims that get paid covers the timing on both sides; the proof of delivery template has the time fields built in.
Producing it the same day
LogiPilot builds detention and accessorial packet automation for brokerages: the alert or the email comes in, the packet comes out for review. Custom builds, fixed scope.
FAQ
Questions about detention.
How is detention pay calculated for truckers?
Time out minus time in at the facility gives the time on site. Subtract the free time, usually two hours. Bill the remainder at the agreed hourly rate in the increments the contract states, commonly 15 or 30 minutes. Four and a half hours on site with two free hours at $75 per hour is 2.5 billable hours, or $187.50.
How much is detention pay per hour?
Typically $50 to $100 per hour for dry van after two hours of free time, higher for reefers and flatbeds and in tight markets. The rate that applies is the one on the rate confirmation or in the shipper contract, which is why it should be written there before the load, not negotiated after.
Can I claim detention if the driver was late?
Almost never. Most contracts condition detention on the truck arriving within its appointment window. This calculator flags a late arrival for that reason; the claim is still yours to argue if the facility caused the lateness, but expect resistance.
What proof do I need for a detention claim?
The facility's in and out times on the bill of lading or proof of delivery, tracking or ELD data that agrees with them, proof the truck arrived on time, and the rate confirmation or contract showing the free time and rate. Most shippers also require notice while the truck is still waiting and a claim within a few days.