How much does freight transport cost in 2026? Prices per kilometre and calculation factors

How much does freight transport cost in 2026? It is one of the first questions asked by companies that need to deliver pallets, equipment, industrial products, construction materials or general cargo in Romania and across Europe.

The direct answer is that there is no single rate for freight transport. For a 3.5-tonne van, the indicative price can start from about 0.80–1.30 euro/km, while a full truckload transport can reach, depending on the route, about 1.10–1.80 euro/km. Refrigerated, ADR, urgent or oversized transports can have considerably higher rates.

These values are general market benchmarks, not a Honexpres price list and not a guaranteed quote. The final price is set only after analysing the route, the goods, the vehicle required and the loading and delivery conditions. Public rate tables on the market differ significantly, including in the way they are calculated: some include only loaded kilometres, while others include the total distance driven, road tolls or the return of the vehicle.

Freight transport price 2026: indicative ranges

For an initial budget estimate, the following ranges can be used:

Type of transport	Indicative price	Suitable for
Van of up to 3.5 t	0.80–1.30 euro/km	Fast deliveries, urgent cargo, small quantities
Standard truck, FTL transport	1.10–1.80 euro/km	Pallets, general cargo, full loads
Refrigerated or special transport	1.30–2.20+ euro/km	Temperature-controlled products, sensitive goods
Oversized transport	3–6+ euro/km	Machinery, equipment and goods with special dimensions
Groupage transport	Calculated per pallet, loading metre, volume or weight	Shipments that do not fill a full truck

The ranges may be exceeded in the case of difficult routes, urgent deliveries, busy periods or transports that require permits, an escort, a ferry or special equipment.

Likewise, an apparently low rate per kilometre does not automatically mean a better total price. A quote of 1.10 euro/km with road tolls, repositioning kilometres and waiting time invoiced separately can be more expensive than a quote of 1.30 euro/km that includes all the operating costs.

How is the cost of freight transport calculated?

The simplified formula is:

Total cost = base rate × chargeable kilometres + road tolls + additional services

In practice, each element must be checked separately.

Let us assume that a full load has to be carried on a route of 1,500 kilometres, and the negotiated rate is 1.45 euro/km. The basic calculation would be: 1,500 km × 1.45 euro/km = 2,175 euro

Depending on the conditions of the transport, the following may be added to this amount:

• road tolls in the countries crossed in transit;
• ferries or special crossings;
• waiting time at loading and unloading;
• customs operations;
• special permits;
• delivery at a fixed time;
• handling, a tail lift or other equipment;
• the kilometres needed to position the vehicle.

The example is purely indicative. A real quotation must state clearly whether the price is all-inclusive or whether certain costs will be invoiced separately.

What influences the price of freight transport in 2026?

1. The distance and the actual route

The number of kilometres is important, but it is not the only criterion. Two trips of 1,000 kilometres each can have different prices if one runs largely on motorways, while the other involves national roads, mountain areas, restrictions for trucks or crossing several countries.

The possibility of finding a return load also matters. On a route with a good flow of goods in both directions, the carrier can use its vehicle more efficiently. On an unbalanced route, the risk of returning empty may be included in the quote.

2. The type and capacity of the vehicle

A 3.5-tonne van has different costs from a 7.5-tonne truck, a 12-tonne rigid truck or a 40-tonne combination.

Using a truck that is too large for a small load can generate unnecessary costs. Conversely, choosing a vehicle that is too small can lead to two trips, cancelling out the initial saving.

For an accurate quote, the number of pallets, the dimensions, the total weight and the volume of the goods must be communicated. The statement “I have about five pallets” is not enough when they have non-standard dimensions, cannot be stacked or exceed the usual weight.

3. Full truckload or groupage transport

In the case of FTL transport, the customer books the entire vehicle. The solution offers a shorter transit time, fewer handling operations and a more direct route.

In the case of groupage or LTL transport, the space in the truck is shared between several shipments. The customer pays only for the capacity used, which can be more cost-effective for one or a few pallets. However, the transport may require consolidation operations, transhipment and more stops.

For this reason, groupage transport is not always calculated correctly by means of a simple rate per kilometre. The price may be set according to the pallet, weight, volume, loading metres and the distribution route.

4. The type of goods

General cargo, well packed and easy to handle, as a rule has the simplest quoting process.

The cost may rise for:

• temperature-controlled products;
• ADR dangerous goods;
• fragile or high-value goods;
• heavy equipment;
• oversized goods;
• products that cannot be stacked;
• loads that require straps, corner protectors or special securing systems.

Special transports may involve dedicated vehicles, trained drivers, additional documents and stricter operating conditions.

5. Road tolls

Road charges have an increasingly visible influence on the cost of international transport. Their amount differs according to the country, the distance, the weight of the vehicle, the number of axles, the emission standard and the CO₂ emission class.

In Romania, the entry into force of the TollRo system is set, at the date this article was updated, for 1 October 2026. The system will cover goods vehicles with a maximum permissible total mass of more than 3.5 tonnes and will replace time-based charging with charging calculated according to the distance travelled.

The approved official rates are differentiated by vehicle category, type of road and emission class. They range between 0.17 and 0.62 lei/km for motorways and expressways, and between 0.08 and 0.31 lei/km for national roads.

For the customer, the important effect is simple: the route chosen and the type of truck can change the total cost of the transport.

6. The price of fuel

Fuel is one of the major components of the operating cost. When the price of diesel rises quickly, rates may be adjusted through a fuel surcharge or by updating the price per kilometre.

For recurring contracts it is useful to establish a transparent indexation formula. In this way, neither the customer nor the carrier bears the full risk of major variations.

7. Demand and available capacity

Rates can vary according to the number of loads available and the trucks in the area.

European data for the first quarter of 2026 show a different trend between stable contracts and the spot market. The contract rate index rose by 8.9 percentage points compared with the previous year, while the spot index was 2 points lower. This difference shows why it is not possible to speak of a single increase or decrease valid for all routes and all types of transport.

A trip requested at the last minute can be cheaper if there is a truck available exactly in the loading area, but it can also be much more expensive if the vehicle has to be repositioned from hundreds of kilometres away.

8. Urgency and fixed delivery slots

Express or dedicated transport costs more because the vehicle is reserved exclusively for one shipment and the route is planned to reduce the transit time.

The price may also rise when loading or unloading is possible only within a very short time window. A missed slot can result in waiting time, rescheduling and additional costs.

9. Loading and unloading conditions

The quote must state whether the goods can be loaded from the side, from the rear or from the top, whether there is a loading ramp and whether a tail lift is needed.

Equally important are the duration of the operations and the vehicle's access to the address. Narrow streets, urban restrictions, the lack of a ramp or a long waiting time can directly influence the price.

How do you get a fair price for freight transport?

To receive an accurate quote, provide the following information from the outset:

• the full loading address;
• the full delivery address;
• the date on which the goods are available;
• the desired delivery deadline;
• the type of goods;
• the number and dimensions of the pallets;
• the total gross weight;
• whether the pallets can be stacked;
• temperature or ADR requirements;
• the method of loading and unloading;
• whether there is a ramp;
• the value of the goods, where relevant for insurance.

The clearer the data, the lower the risk of the price changing after the transport has been confirmed.

Is the lowest price always the best choice?

No. A transport quote must be assessed on the total cost and the conditions included, not just on the rate per kilometre.

Check whether the quote specifies:

• road tolls;
• VAT;
• the applicable insurance;
• the transit time;
• the number of loadings and unloadings;
• waiting-time costs;
• the cancellation conditions;
• the type of vehicle;
• any transhipments;
• the payment term.

An unusually low price may conceal additional charges, kilometres not included or a transport solution that does not suit the goods.

Frequently asked questions about the price of freight transport

How much does freight transport cost per kilometre in 2026?

As a guide, the rate can start from about 0.80 euro/km for certain van transports and can exceed 1.80 euro/km for a standard truck, depending on the route and conditions. Refrigerated, ADR and oversized transports can cost more.

Is groupage transport cheaper?

As a rule, yes, when the goods take up only part of the truck and the delivery deadline allows consolidation with other shipments. For a large or urgent load, a full truckload can be more efficient.

Are road tolls included in the price?

It depends on the quote. Some quotations are all-inclusive, while others show the transport rate and the road tolls separately. This point must be clarified before the order is confirmed.

Are only the kilometres between loading and delivery calculated?

Not always. The carrier may take into account positioning kilometres, the total route, the return or a minimum call-out charge. That is why the total price should be requested, not just the rate per kilometre.

How much does freight transport cost in 2026?

The cost of freight transport in 2026 depends on much more than the number of kilometres. The route, the type of vehicle, the capacity used, the nature of the goods, road tolls, urgency and loading conditions can significantly change the final quote.

For a realistic estimate, always compare the total price, the services included and the delivery conditions. A well-calculated quote does not aim only for the lowest rate, but for choosing the right vehicle, reducing risks and delivering the goods under the agreed conditions.

Do you need a quotation for domestic or international transport? Send the Honexpres team the route, the number of pallets, the weight, the dimensions of the goods and the loading date. On the basis of this information, the right transport solution can be identified and a price tailored to your shipment calculated.