this is a trick question........right

Where do you get your loads? Look at the rates on a load board.

figure out what your cost to run your truck are,then charge over and above that.remember you can go down but not up

Originally Posted by idrivetrucks

Where can I find information on rates for lanes I've never done before? I am branching out to 48 states instead of regional and I just don't want to be ripped off if I take a load that pays too low.

TruckLoadRate.com is probably the best. It's a pay service, but should give you a general idea of what the pay quoted to you is compared to the average.

Second truckloadrate.com, we use it all the time and gives us a really good idea of what a particular lane goes for. The rate services from a load board would typically give you the rates based on what brokers post on the board which would be more towards a wholesale rate. Truckloadrate supposedly is comprised of thousands of rated freight bills every month. The more loads and carriers posted on a lane will equal a more exacting rate.
You can use the system that some suggest of finding how much it takes you to run with a profit and use that. Of course using that system you might leave more on the table in some lanes and others you will price yourself out of business. To say "I need $3/mile where ever I run" won't work coming out of Denver or Miami. You really have to have the knowledge of what rates are going into an area versus coming out and bid your business accordingly. Once you learn a lane you probably will not need to refer to a rating service, just adjust for fuel. If you intend to run all over you will get asked about lanes you aren't familiar with so you'll need some way to quote effectively.