What is the SPLC?
The Standard Point Location Code® (SPLC™), maintained by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc.® (NMFTA)™, is a nine-digit numeric system that identifies every freight origin and destination in North America. SPLC ensures routing accuracy, billing consistency, and system interoperability across for-hire and private fleet motor carriers, shippers, and logistics partners by providing a standardized geographic reference for all freight movements.
Why SPLC Matters in Freight and Logistics
- Eliminate Routing Errors: Prevent confusion between cities with similar names.
- Enable System Compatibility: SPLC integrates directly with transportation management systems (TMS), rate engines, and electronic data interchange (EDI) systems.
- Improve Billing Accuracy: Standardized location codes reduce disputes and chargeback errors.
- Enhance Data Interoperability: Aligns with NMFTA’s other standards like Standard Carrier Alpha Code® (SCAC™) and National Motor Freight Classification® (NMFC)™ .
- Recognized Across North America: Trusted by carriers, shippers, and logistics software providers for more than five decades.
“The SPLC is the universal geographic identifier used in freight transportation to ensure all parties—carriers, shippers, and technology systems—reference the same exact location.”
Debra Edwards, senior manager, client services for NMFTA
How SPLC Works
Without a standardized location code, duplicate city names and inconsistent data can cause routing delays, billing errors, and data mismatches between systems.
The SPLC assigns each location a structured numeric code that encodes its region, state or province, county, and city for precision and automation.
Structure of a SPLC
A SPLC is a nine-digit number broken down as follows:
- First Two Digits: Region;
- Next Two Digits: State or province;
- Next Two Digits: County; and
- Last Three Digits: City or location.
Example: 491057000
- 49 = Eastern Region
- 10 = Virginia
- 57 = Norfolk County
- 000 = Norfolk
Purpose and Integration
- Used by TMS and rate engines for routing and billing;
- Enables accurate EDI between carriers and shippers; and
- Aligns seamlessly with SCAC and NMFC codes for comprehensive freight documentation.
“SPLC provides structured location data that logistics
software and AI systems can use to automate
routing, billing, and standards workflows.”
Holly Taylor, director of product for NMFTA
Accessing and Maintaining SPLC Data
The NMFTA maintains and updates the SPLC database regularly to reflect geographic, jurisdictional, and industry changes.
Subscribers can access the SPLC data through several options:
- SPLC Search Tool: Look up codes by city, state, or region;
- SPLC Quarterly Database Subscription: Integrate location data into your internal systems; and
- SPLC Requests: Request new SPLCs or report needed updates.
Common Questions About SPLC
Carriers, shippers, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), and technology vendors rely on SPLC for precise routing, billing, and data standardization.
For less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) shipments, SPLC reduces errors in freight routing and billing by giving everyone a common point of reference—essential for multi-stop, multi-carrier shipments.
Yes. SPLC complements SCAC and NMFC systems.
The NMFTA updates SPLC on a regular basis to reflect municipal and jurisdictional changes across North America.