Detention Pay Calculator
Calculate what you should bill a shipper for detention beyond the 2-hour free window.
Detention pay typically starts after 2 hours of free time and bills at $50–$100 per hour. Calculate as (hours over 2) × hourly rate.
How it works
- 1Confirm detention terms before tender
Get the rate and free-time window on the rate confirmation in writing.
- 2Time-stamp arrival and departure
Use ELD geofence stamps — paper logs lose disputes.
- 3Invoice within 24 hours
Detention claims older than 7 days are routinely denied.
Example: 5 hours on site at $75/hr after 2 free
| Billable hours | 3.0 |
| Detention owed | $225 |
Takeaway: On 4 detained loads/mo, that's $900/mo in recovered revenue most carriers leave on the table.
Key takeaways
- $50–$100/hr after 2 free hours is industry standard in 2026.
- Reefer and hazmat often command $75–$125/hr.
- Unbilled detention is the #1 underreported revenue category.
Expert tips from Bonafide dispatchers
- 1
Photograph the BOL with arrival timestamp at the gate.
- 2
Submit detention invoice within 24 hours of delivery.
- 3
If a broker rejects detention, escalate with ELD geofence proof — wins ~80% of disputes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average detention pay for truckers?+
$50–$100 per hour after 2 hours of free time is industry standard in 2026. Reefer and hazmat often command $75–$125/hr.
Do brokers have to pay detention?+
Only if it's written into the rate confirmation. Always confirm detention terms in writing before tendering the load.
Last reviewed June 15, 2026 by the Bonafide Trucking Solutions dispatch team.