Transportation, Freight & Distribution worked example

Truckload Utilization at 99% target load utilization goal: a worked example

What does the result look like when target load utilization goal reaches 99%? The full calculation is worked below with real intermediate numbers. Use it before tendering an FTL load or when tracking whether outbound loads are shipping with too much empty cube or weight.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Trailer capacity actually used: 22 capacity units (unchanged)
  • Total trailer capacity available: 26 capacity units (unchanged)
  • Target load utilization goal: 99 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 90)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Truckload Utilization rate = used trailer capacity ÷ available trailer capacity × 100) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 84.62 % of trailer capacity for truckload utilization rate, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 14.38 points for gap to target.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 22 capacity units for used trailer capacity.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 26 capacity units for available trailer capacity.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where target load utilization goal sits at 90% and the headline result is 84.62 % of trailer capacity, this scenario lands almost exactly on the baseline at 84.62 % of trailer capacity.
  • A figure at this level is achievable when target load utilization goal is genuinely sustained, not just peaked for a shift. Utilization by one unit (pallets) can look full while another (weight) is not; pick the constraining dimension or the number can mislead.

Results at a glance

  • Truckload Utilization rate: 84.62 % of trailer capacity (headline result)
  • Gap to target: 14.38 points
  • Used trailer capacity: 22 capacity units
  • Available trailer capacity: 26 capacity units

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Truckload Utilization calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.