Detention and Layover Pay
Waiting is the quiet pay cut. At 2026 norms ($50 per hour detention after 2 free hours, $150 to $250 layover per day), four unpaid hours turn a $2.40 load into roughly $1.85 once your time is priced. Here are the going rates and the rate-con lines that get them paid.
What do detention and layover pay in 2026?
| Accessorial | 2026 going rate | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Detention | $50/hr after 2 free hours | Arrival timestamp to loaded or unloaded |
| Layover | $150–$250/day | Held overnight by shipper fault or schedule slip |
| TONU (truck ordered not used) | $100–$200 | Cancelled after dispatch or refused at dock |
| Extra stop | $50–$75 per stop | Each pickup or drop past the first |
| Lumper reimbursement | At cost with receipt | Third-party unloading fees, pre-approved |
Detention math shows why writing matters. Take an 800-mile load at $2.40 ($1,920) with a $250 lumper and 4 hours detained past free time. Unpaid, the load nets $1,670 over roughly 900 minutes of duty, which prices near $1.85 per mile of effort. Paid at $50 per hour, it recovers $200 and the math holds. Enter accessorials in the load profit calculator so the verdict reflects the dock, not the sales pitch.
How do you get detention paid?
Four steps, in order. First, confirm terms before you roll: free time (push for 2 hours, not 3), hourly rate, layover and TONU figures, and who approves them, all printed on the rate con. Verbal promises at booking die at billing. Second, timestamp everything: arrival message to the broker, in and out times on the BOL, guard-shack receipts, ELD logs. Third, notify at the threshold: message the broker the hour free time expires, not the next morning. Fourth, invoice same day with timestamps attached; detention older than a week gets harder every day. Keep one template message ready: arrival time, dock status, hourly updates. Boring paperwork collects real money.
Which loads should you refuse?
Refuse the shape, not the shipper. A $2.60 rate to a facility known for 6-hour turns with no detention on the con pays worse than $2.30 to a drop-and-hook dock you clear in 40 minutes. Ask three questions before every booking: average turn time at both ends, detention terms in writing, and lumper plus extra-stop handling. If the broker dodges any of them, price the risk in or walk. Pair this with the deadhead and negotiation playbook for counters that hold margin, and the fuel surcharge calculator for the separate surcharge line that protects against diesel moves mid-week.
By Srikanth M. · Last reviewed September 26, 2026. Market norms vary by region and broker. Get terms in writing on every rate con. More: cost per mile · negotiation playbook.
Detention FAQ
What is detention pay in 2026?
About $50 per hour after 2 free hours at shipper and receiver. Four unpaid hours on a $2.40 load can drag the real rate near $1.85 per mile once waiting time is counted.
What is layover and TONU pay?
Layover runs $150 to $250 per day when freight strands you overnight. TONU (truck ordered not used) runs $100 to $200 when a load cancels after you arrive.
How do I get detention paid?
Get free time, hourly rate, and the payment trigger in writing on the rate con before you roll, timestamp arrival and departure, and invoice with proof the same day.
Should I take loads to slow shippers?
Only when accessorials are confirmed up front. A high linehaul to a 6-hour facility pays worse than a medium rate to a drop-and-hook dock.