Freight factoring rates: what you'll really pay per load
Trucking factoring rates usually run 1.5% to 4% of the invoice, most often 2% to 3%, with 80-95% advanced up front (AtoB, May 2026). The rate is only half the story: minimums and flat fees decide what a factoring company really charges you on each load.
Source: AtoB, Freight Factoring guide (updated May 8, 2026) · checked Oct 2026
How much do you invoice a month?
We refer carriers to a factoring partner and may be paid for referrals. Disclosure
Freight factoring costs, invoice by invoice
Same quote, four different loads. A 3% rate sounds the same on every invoice, but a per-invoice minimum and a flat transfer fee land hardest on short, cheap loads. The cents-per-mile column puts it in the unit company drivers already know.
What the quote really costs, by invoice size
- $600 invoicefee $28.00 · 4.7% · 14.0 cents/mi
- $1,200 invoicefee $46.00 · 3.8% · 11.5 cents/mi
- $2,500 invoicefee $85.00 · 3.4% · 10.2 cents/mi
- $5,000 invoicefee $160.00 · 3.2% · 9.6 cents/mi
The advertised rate is 3%. Minimums and flat transfer fees push the real rate up on short, cheap loads.
Rate per mile starts at the June 2026 DAT dry van spot average, $3.00. Minimum and transfer fees are EXAMPLE values; every company prices them differently, and some charge neither.
EXAMPLE: one $2,500 load
At $3.00 a mile that's about 833 loaded miles. A 3% rate costs $75.00; add a $10 transfer fee and the load costs $85.00 to factor. That's 3.4% of the invoice, or 10.2 cents a mile, the same unit as a company driver's pay rate.
Factoring vs broker quick pay
Some brokers pay early for a fee of their own, often 1-5% for payment in 1 to 7 days. On a single load that can be cheaper than factoring, but it only works with brokers who offer it, and you collect from each one yourself. Factoring covers every broker in one place.
Flat rates vs tiered rates, in plain words
Flat rate
One percentage, no matter how long the broker takes to pay. Easy to budget: you know the cost the day you deliver.
Watch for: a higher headline number, and what happens if a broker never pays.
Tiered rate
A low starting rate that steps up the longer the invoice stays unpaid, for example every extra 15 days. Cheap when brokers pay fast.
Watch for: slow-paying brokers turning a low quote into an expensive one.
Neither is better for everyone. If most of your brokers pay inside their terms, tiered can cost less. If you haul for many new brokers, a flat rate removes the guesswork. Factoring is an alternative to waiting: brokers often pay in 30 to 60 days.
Source: RTS, The Difference Between Factoring and Quick Pay (Oct 2022) · checked Oct 2026
Trucking factoring rates in 2026
No government source tracks factoring rates, so we use a named, dated industry guide and say so. These are ranges, not offers: your rate depends on volume, your customers' credit, recourse and funding speed.
Lowest factoring rates usually go to fleets with steady volume hauling for well-paying brokers. A new authority with a handful of loads a month should expect the upper half of the range, at least at first.
- Typical fee range
- 1.5% to 4%
- Most common
- 2% to 3%
- Recourse
- 1-3%
- Non-recourse
- 3-5% or more
- Advance rate
- 80-95%
- Broker quick pay
- 1-5%
Source: AtoB, Freight Factoring guide (updated May 8, 2026) · checked Oct 2026
Source: RTS, The Difference Between Factoring and Quick Pay (Oct 2022) · checked Oct 2026
How to read a factoring rate quote, line by line
| Line on the quote | What it means | Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Factoring rate | The percentage taken from each invoice | Flat or tiered? Per how many days? |
| Advance rate | The share paid up front | When is the rest released, and minus what? |
| Reserve | The held-back share until the broker pays | How long until it's released? |
| Recourse period | Days before you must buy back an unpaid invoice | What exactly counts as non-payment? |
| Funding options | ACH, wire, same-day, fuel card | What does each one cost? |
| Term and notice | How long you're committed | What does it cost to leave early? |
Comparing companies, not just quotes? See the best factoring companies comparison, or start with the fast pay overview.
How much do freight factoring companies charge?
Want a real rate for your invoices?
We refer carriers to a factoring partner and may be paid for referrals. Disclosure
We refer carriers to RTS Financial and may be paid for referrals. It doesn't change your rate. Not financial advice: compare offers and read the agreement. Disclosure
Need loads as well as fast pay?
Dispatch at 5% of gross (7% for a new MC). You approve every load.
What is an ACH or wire fee in factoring?
It's a flat charge for sending your advance to the bank. ACH transfers are usually cheaper and arrive the next business day; wires and instant transfers cost more and arrive faster. Because the fee is flat, it costs more as a share of a small invoice, so add it to the rate when you compare quotes.
Do factoring rates depend on broker credit?
Yes. Factoring is based on your customers' ability to pay, not a loan on your credit, so brokers and shippers with strong payment records make invoices cheaper and easier to fund. Funding limits depend on your business and your customers' creditworthiness. Volume and fleet size matter too: RTS's own calculator asks for monthly volume and truck count.
What hidden fees do factoring companies charge?
The ones to ask about: application or setup fees, per-transfer ACH or wire fees, invoice minimums, monthly volume minimums, credit check fees, fees that rise the longer a broker takes to pay, early termination fees and lien release fees. Ask for the full fee schedule in writing before you sign.
Is non-recourse factoring more expensive?
Usually, yes. Non-recourse factoring shifts some of the risk of a broker not paying to the factor, so the rate is higher: AtoB's 2026 guide puts recourse at about 1-3% and non-recourse at 3-5% or more. Read exactly which non-payment cases are covered; some contracts cover only a broker's insolvency.
How can I get a lower factoring rate?
Factor more volume with one company, haul for brokers with strong credit, keep your paperwork clean so invoices are approved on the first try, and choose standard funding speed if you don't need same-day money. Then compare the effective rate, after all fees, from two quotes.