Stop-Off Charge

A stop-off charge is an additional fee applied when a truckload shipment requires pickups or deliveries at locations beyond the standard single origin and single destination. Each additional stop adds time for the driver, increases the complexity of the route, and in the case of refrigerated freight, introduces additional door openings that can affect temperature control for the remaining cargo.

Standard stop-off charges range from $50 to $200 per additional stop, depending on the carrier, the geographic area, and the complexity of the stop. Some carriers charge a flat fee per stop, while others base the charge on the time spent at the additional location. For reefer shipments, stop-off charges may be higher to reflect the increased risk to temperature integrity from multiple door openings and the additional reefer fuel consumed during stops.

Managing Multi-Stop Loads

Multi-stop reefer loads require careful load planning to ensure that freight for each stop is accessible without requiring excessive rearrangement of other freight. The delivery sequence should be planned to minimize total miles and door-open time, with the most temperature-sensitive products loaded last and delivered first. Drivers should be briefed on the stop sequence and provided with clear documentation for each delivery.

The economics of multi-stop loads can be favorable for shippers when the combined freight from multiple stops fills a trailer more completely than individual shipments would. However, each additional stop adds transit time and temperature risk, so the cost savings must be weighed against the potential impact on product quality and on-time delivery performance. ArrowLane helps shippers evaluate whether multi-stop loads offer genuine savings or whether separate shipments would provide better overall value.