What this tool does
Estimate route miles, loads, hauling charges, cost per head, and temporary carrier quote comparisons for livestock transportation.
Use this tool when
- Estimating a cattle hauling budget.
- Comparing mileage or fee structures.
- Planning approximate load count from user-entered trailer capacity assumptions.
- Comparing up to three carrier quotes.
Before you begin
Gather the project information you already know. Leave Optional or Advanced fields alone until you need them, and review every editable assumption before relying on the result.
Recommended workflow
1. Build the route
Enter origin, destination, optional stops, round-trip choice, or a manual mileage override.
2. Enter livestock/load inputs
Add livestock class, head count, average weight, trailer information, and manual load override if needed.
3. Review capacity planning
Use editable square-feet/head assumptions to estimate trailer head capacity and loads.
4. Choose the cost method
Use loaded mile, total mile, base + mileage, hourly, or custom.
5. Add fees
Include minimums, fuel surcharge, deadhead, waiting, loading/unloading, overnight, tolls, washout/bedding, or other fees.
6. Compare quotes
Review up to three temporary carrier quotes and export the route/estimate.
Key results
- Route miles and drive duration.
- Billable miles.
- Estimated load count.
- Cost per load.
- Total freight cost.
- Cost per head.
- Cost per head per mile.
- Cost per cwt.
- Deadhead and round-trip cost.
- Optional delivered pay-weight estimate after user-entered shrink.
Save, export, and share
For meaningful work, use Save Project to create a .ra file before leaving. Use Export for reports/data and Share for email or copied summaries. The exact export formats available depend on the tool.
Important planning note
Actual safe and legal loading depends on trailer design, animal condition, weather, carrier practices, and applicable law. Route and cost outputs are planning estimates and should be confirmed with the carrier.
Related help
- About RanchAssist
.raProject Files - Export and Share Overview
- Understanding Livestock Freight Calculator Results and Calculations
- Troubleshooting Livestock Freight Calculator
