Layover
Layover pay is compensation for a carrier when they are forced to wait overnight or an extended period between pickup and delivery due to scheduling issues.
What Is Layover?
Layover pay compensates carriers for extended delays that force them to stay idle overnight or for a full day, usually because of shipper/receiver scheduling issues. While detention covers hours of waiting within a single stop, layover applies when you are stuck for an extended period — typically when a shipper cannot load you until the next day or a receiver reschedules your appointment.
Layover rates typically range from $150-$350 per day, though they vary by broker and market conditions. Common scenarios include arriving at a shipper on Friday afternoon only to learn loading will not happen until Monday, delivering to a receiver that reschedules your appointment to the next day, and multi-stop loads where timing gaps force you to park overnight.
Like detention, layover is a negotiable accessorial charge that should be specified in your rate confirmation. Many carriers do not claim layover because they consider overnight delays "part of the job," but these are billable events that eat into your earning capacity. Every day you sit idle is a day you are not running revenue miles.
Why It Matters
A layover day means zero revenue while your fixed costs (truck payment, insurance, permits) keep running. At $150-$350/day, layover pay does not fully replace a day of hauling, but it is far better than absorbing the loss. Filing claims consistently can recover $200-$700/month.
Real-World Example
Angela delivers a reefer load of produce to Chicago on Thursday evening. Her next load picks up Friday morning in Indianapolis, but the shipper pushes the appointment to Saturday 6:00 AM. Angela is stuck for an extra day. Her FF Dispatch dispatcher negotiates a $250 layover fee from the broker, covering overnight parking and per diem costs.
How FF Dispatch Handles This
FF Dispatch proactively negotiates layover clauses for loads with tight scheduling windows. When layover situations arise, we file claims immediately and sometimes book a short local load to fill the gap while you wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between detention and layover?+
How much is typical layover pay?+
Can I claim layover if I choose to stop overnight for rest?+
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