Where freight costs hide after the rate is booked

Transportation cost is bigger than the linehaul rate. The most useful cost reviews include the operating friction around the shipment.

Separate rate from total cost

Start with linehaul, fuel and known accessorials, but do not stop there. Rework, detention, failed appointments, premium recovery moves and internal labor all change the economics of a lane.

Look for recurring causes

A single accessorial may be noise. Repeated detention at one facility, frequent reclasses or consistent tender rejection are operating signals worth fixing.

Build a savings pipeline

Translate findings into specific actions with an owner, expected impact and target date. Savings become real only when the operating change is implemented.