Detention Pay Calculator — What Waiting Owes You
Billable hours past free time, pay owed — and the miles you could have run instead.
DETENTION OWED
$—
Billable hours—
Miles lost to waiting—
Lost revenue—
Net hole after detention—
Worked example: 5 hours, 2 free, $50/hr
Billable 3.0 hrs, owed $150.00. Waiting burns 275 mi ≈ $610.50 of revenue — a $460.50 hole detention never fills.
Detention questions
How is detention pay calculated?
(Total hours − free hours) × hourly rate, per stop. At 5 hours with 2 free at $50/hr, 3 billable hours = $150 owed.
What is standard detention pay in 2026?
$50–$75 per hour after 2 free hours is the common owner-operator benchmark; $150–$250 layover covers an overnight hold.
Does detention cover my lost miles?
Rarely. Five waiting hours at 55 mph and $2.22/mi is $610 of forgone revenue against $150 detention — a $460 hole. Document times and negotiate the rate con up front.