In distribution, what costs vary with distance traveled rather than with product weight?

• A. Leading indicator
• B. Load
• C. Landed cost
• D. Line-haul costs

Answer: (D)

Line-haul costs drive the main transportation charges for moving goods from origin to destination. They vary with how far you have to go—the distance—rather than with how heavy the product is. These rates are typically quoted per mile or kilometer and include factors like fuel surcharges that change with distance. So, longer trips increase line-haul costs even if the weight stays the same. Other distribution costs play different roles: loading costs relate to the labor and equipment used to load and unload, which isn’t tied to distance in the same way; landed cost is the total cost to bring the product to customer (including line-haul plus other charges), and a leading indicator is a forecasting metric rather than a cost.