A lot of national lumber sellers hide freight until the last step of checkout, or bury it behind a gated calculator and a minimum order. We’d rather you understand it up front. Because we stock and ship from Black Mountain, NC, most jobs in our region move on a short, predictable route — and short routes are cheaper routes.
Why hardwood freight is its own thing
Tropical hardwoods are dense — Ipe runs around 69 lb/ft³ — so a deck’s worth of boards weighs far more than the same volume of pine. Long decking and timbers also need a flatbed or a truck that can handle the length. Together, weight and length are what drive the cost, more than distance alone on a regional haul.
FTL vs. LTL: which one is your order?
Freight generally moves one of two ways, and knowing which applies to you is most of the battle:
| Mode | Best for | How it’s priced | Rough regional estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Truckload (FTL) | Large decks, multi-species orders, full timber packages | Per mile for a dedicated flatbed | ~$3.00–$3.50 / mile |
| Less Than Truckload (LTL) | Partial loads under ~10,000 lb that share a trailer | Per mile for your share of a partial load | ~$2.50–$3.00 / mile |
These are rough planning figures, not quotes. Actual freight depends on weight, length, fuel, season, and the specific lane. Use them to sanity-check a budget, then ask us for a real number.
Local delivery from Black Mountain
For jobs inside our core service area, most orders don’t need long-haul freight at all — we deliver on our own schedule. We serve Western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, and East Tennessee, with typical drive times you can see on each of our service-area pages.
Local jobsite delivery is billed by the hour with a short minimum, which for most in-region deliveries is far cheaper and more flexible than national LTL freight. Pickup at the yard is always free.
How to estimate your own freight
- Estimate the weight. Multiply your board footage by the species density (Ipe ~69 lb/ft³). Over ~10,000 lb and you’re likely in FTL territory.
- Check the longest piece. Long decking and timbers may require a flatbed regardless of weight.
- Estimate the miles from Black Mountain to your jobsite and apply the per-mile range above for a rough number.
- Call us. We’ll turn that estimate into an actual delivered price — and tell you when local delivery beats freight.
Get a delivered price, not a checkout surprise
Send us your material list and your jobsite town and we’ll quote the lumber and the freight together — transparently.
Request a Delivered QuoteHardwood Freight FAQ
How much does it cost to ship hardwood lumber in the Carolinas?
As a rough planning range, dedicated full-truckload flatbed freight runs about $3.00–$3.50 per mile and shared less-than-truckload freight about $2.50–$3.00 per mile. Actual cost depends on weight, length, fuel, and the lane, so use these to budget and then ask us for a firm number. For jobs in our region, local delivery from Black Mountain is usually cheaper than national freight.
What is the difference between FTL and LTL for a lumber order?
Full Truckload (FTL) is a dedicated truck for your order — best for large decks, multi-species orders, and timber packages. Less Than Truckload (LTL) means your load shares a trailer with others and is priced for your portion, which suits partial loads under about 10,000 pounds.
Do I need freight if I’m near Asheville or Black Mountain?
Usually not. For jobs inside our core service area we deliver on our own trucks, billed by the hour with a short minimum, which is more flexible and typically cheaper than national LTL freight. Pickup at our Black Mountain yard is always free.
How do I estimate freight weight for a deck?
Multiply your board footage by the species density — Ipe is about 69 lb/ft³ — to approximate total weight. If you exceed roughly 10,000 pounds, or your longest boards require a flatbed, plan on full-truckload freight.