Offer free local delivery and charge for longer distances with Distance Rate Shipping

Use this setup when nearby deliveries should be free, but longer deliveries should be charged only for the distance beyond the free range.

Before you begin

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  • Add Distance Rate Shipping to the shipping zone that covers the delivery area.
  • Decide the free delivery distance and the price per mile, kilometer, or minute.
  • Use the same unit in both rules so the calculation stays predictable.

Create the free local rule

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  1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > Shipping zones.
  2. Select the shipping zone that contains the Distance Rate Shipping method.
  3. Select Edit for the Distance Rate Shipping method.
  4. In Distance Rate Rules, add a rule for the free local range.
  5. Set Condition to Distance.
  6. Set Min to 0.
  7. Set Max to the end of the free range. For example, enter 20 for the first 20 miles or kilometers.
  8. Set Base Cost and Cost Per Distance / Minute to 0.

Create the paid distance rule

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  1. Add a second Distance Rate rule.
  2. Set Condition to Distance.
  3. Set Min just above the free range. For a free range of 0 to 20, use 20.1.
  4. Leave Max blank, or enter the farthest distance you want to deliver to.
  5. Set Cost Per Distance / Minute to the amount to charge for each unit. For example, enter 5 to charge $5 per mile, kilometer, or minute.
  6. Set Base Cost to a negative amount that offsets the free range. Multiply the free range by the per-unit cost. For a 20-unit free range at $5 per unit, enter -100.
  7. Select Save changes.

The finished rules look like this:

Distance Rate Rules table showing two Distance rules: 0 to 20 with no cost, and 20.1 and above with Base Cost -100 and Cost Per Distance / Minute 5.
The first rule makes the free range cost 0. The second rule charges for distances beyond 20 by using a negative Base Cost offset.

Example calculation

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For a 30-mile delivery at $5 per mile with the first 20 miles free, Distance Rate Shipping calculates the second rule as 30 x 5 – 100. The customer is charged $50, which covers only the 10 miles beyond the free range.

Test the rules

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  • Test one address inside the free range and confirm the Distance Rate Shipping cost is 0.
  • Test one address beyond the free range and confirm the charge reflects only the distance after the free range.
  • If your store charges tax on shipping, confirm the final checkout total includes the expected tax behavior.

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