How to Build a Logistics Cost Prediction App in Flutter? (Code + GitHub)

By Atit Purani

August 22, 2025

Logistics and eCommerce businesses are at their peak.

For these businesses, predicting delivery costs quickly and accurately is a game-changer.

Whether you’re running a courier startup, building a food delivery app, or working on an eCommerce platform, you need a smart way to calculate prices that factors in distance, weight, and time.

That’s where predicting delivery costs in a Flutter app using distance, weight, and time comes in handy.

In this blog, we’ll explain how to build a logistics cost prediction Flutter app from scratch.

You’ll learn how to create a Flutter logistics cost calculator, integrate it with Google Maps APIs, and get a working GitHub logistics app repository that you can customize.

This tutorial will help you reduce errors, automate pricing, and create a more reliable app.

Why Do You Need a Logistics Cost Prediction App?

If you’re in logistics, eCommerce, or even food delivery, you know how important accurate pricing is.

A good delivery cost calculator or shipping cost calculator can make your app more trustworthy and help you win customers.

Here’s why you need one:

  • Importance in logistics & eCommerce: Companies like Amazon, FedEx, & Uber depend on cost prediction to give real-time delivery charges before booking.
  • Problems with manual pricing: Relying on spreadsheets or guesswork often leads to errors, customer complaints, and financial losses.
  • Real-world examples: Apps like Uber Eats, FedEx, and DHL use advanced calculators that estimate delivery costs instantly using distance, weight, and delivery speed.

Learn Why Cloud-based Logistics is the Future for Delivery Operations.

What Factors Affect Logistics Costs? (Distance + Weight + Time)

factors-affect-logistics-costs

When creating a logistics cost estimator app in Flutter, you need to consider three main factors:

1. Distance-Based Pricing

  • Using Google Maps API or the Distance Matrix API, you can calculate the exact kilometers/miles between pickup and delivery.
  • Example: $2 base fare + $0.50 per km.

2. Weight-Based Surcharges

  • Small packages are cheap, but heavier ones cost more to transport.
  • Example: $1 per kg after the first 5kg.

3. Time-Based Delivery Cost

  • Customers who want same-day delivery or express shipping pay extra.
  • Example: +20% for express deliveries.

4. Dynamic Pricing Formula in Flutter

You can combine these into a formula like:

Total Cost = Base Fare + (Distance x Rate per km) + (Weight x Rate per kg) + (Time Factor)

This Flutter cost estimator formula (distance + weight + time) ensures accurate and fair pricing.

Learn more about Smart Order Assignment for Delivery Agents in Flutter App.

What is the Tech Stack You’ll Use?

To build your logistics cost prediction Flutter app, you’ll need:

  • Flutter & Dart: For building UI and implementing the cost logic.
  • Google Maps Platform (Distance Matrix API): To calculate distance & estimated time.
  • Firebase or Local State Management (Provider, Riverpod, BLoC): To manage cost data, orders, and user sessions.

How to Set Up Your Flutter Project?

Before building the logistics cost prediction app, let’s set up the project. This part is beginner-friendly and follows the Flutter Google Maps API tutorial style.

Step 1: Create a New Flutter Project

Run this in your terminal:

      
        flutter create logistics_cost_app
		cd logistics_cost_app
      
    

This creates a clean Flutter project.

Step 2: Install Dependencies

You’ll need some packages for maps, distance, and APIs. Add these to your pubspec.yaml:

      
        dependencies:
		 flutter:
			sdk: flutter
		 google_maps_flutter: ^2.5.0
		 geolocator: ^12.0.0
		 http: ^1.2.0
      
    

  • google_maps_flutter: To show maps in your app.
  • Geolocator: To calculate Flutter geolocation distance.
  • http: Go call the Google Distance Matrix API.

Run:

      
		flutter pub get
      
    

Step 3: API Key Setup

  1. Go to Google Cloud Console
  2. Enable Maps JavaScript API + Distance Matrix API.
  3. Create an API key.
  4. Add it to your AndroidManifest.xml & AppDelegate.swift:
      
		<meta-data
		  android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY"
		  android:value="YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"/>
      
    

Now you’re ready to fetch distances and calculate delivery costs.

How to Build the Logistics Cost Prediction Logic in Flutter?

Here’s where we bring the magic: distance + weight + time = logistics cost.

1. Get Distance & Time with Google Maps Distance Matrix API

Using the http package, you’ll fetch distance and duration:

      
		Future<Map<String, dynamic>> getDistanceTime(
			String origin, String destination) async {
				final apiKey = "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE";
				final url =
				"https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/distancematrix/json?origins=$origin&destinations=$destination&key=$apiKey";
			
			final response = await http.get(Uri.parse(url));
				if (response.statusCode == 200) {
					final data = jsonDecode(response.body);
					final distance = data["rows"][0]["elements"][0]["distance"]["value"] / 1000; // km
					final duration = data["rows"][0]["elements"][0]["duration"]["value"] / 60; // minutes
					return {"distance": distance, "duration": duration};
				} else {
					throw Exception("Failed to fetch distance and time");
				}
			}
      
    

This gives you distance (km) and time (minutes).

2. Add Weight-Based Formula

For every extra kg, add a cost:

      
			double calculateCost(double distance, double weight, double time) {
			 double baseFare = 50; // base fare in $
			 double distanceRate = 10; // per km
			 double weightRate = 5; // per kg
			 double timeRate = 0.5; // per minute (for express/speed factor)
			
			 return baseFare + (distance * distanceRate) + (weight * weightRate) + (time * timeRate);
			}
      
    

3. Combine Distance + Weight + Time into Final Cost

Call both functions together:

      
			Future<double> getLogisticsCost(
				String origin, String destination, double weight) async {
			 final result = await getDistanceTime(origin, destination);
			 final distance = result["distance"];
			 final time = result["duration"];
			 return calculateCost(distance, weight, time);
			}
      
    

This is your Flutter logistics cost prediction formula.

4. Show Real-Time Cost Updates in the UI

Example widget:

      
		class CostEstimatorScreen extends StatefulWidget {
		@override
		_CostEstimatorScreenState createState() => _CostEstimatorScreenState();
		}
		
		class _CostEstimatorScreenState extends State<CostEstimatorScreen> {
		double? cost;
		
		void estimateCost() async {
			double result = await getLogisticsCost(
				"New York,USA", "Boston,USA", 12.0); // 12kg package
			setState(() {
			cost = result;
			});
		}
		
		@override
		Widget build(BuildContext context) {
			return Scaffold(
			appBar: AppBar(title: Text("Shipping Rate Calculator in Flutter")),
			body: Center(
				child: Column(
				mainAxisAlignment: MainAxisAlignment.center,
				children: [
					cost == null
						? Text("Press button to calculate delivery cost")
						: Text("Estimated Delivery Cost: \$${cost!.toStringAsFixed(2)}"),
					SizedBox(height: 20),
					ElevatedButton(
					onPressed: estimateCost,
					child: Text("Calculate Cost"),
					),
				],
				),
			),
			);
		}
		}
      
    

Now your app can calculate delivery cost in Flutter using distance, weight, and time, just like Uber or FedEx.

Explore the Full GitHub Code of the Logistics Cost Prediction App in Flutter.

Why Choose Seven Square for Your Flutter Logistics App?

flutter-logistics-app

We specialize in building powerful and scalable Flutter apps for logistics, delivery, and eCommerce businesses.

Our deep expertise in logistics cost prediction, Google Maps API integration, and Flutter app development can help bring your ideas to life.

  • End-to-End Flutter Development: From wireframing to deployment, we deliver robust and high-performing Flutter apps.
  • Logistics & Delivery Expertise: Experience in building delivery cost calculators, route optimization systems, and real-time tracking apps.
  • Smooth Google Maps Integration: Our team knows how to leverage Flutter Google Maps API tutorial practices, Distance Matrix API, and geolocation services for real-world logistics apps.
  • Custom Cost Prediction Logic: We design smart algorithms for logistics cost prediction using distance, weight, and time to suit your business model.
  • Scalable & Future-Ready Apps: Whether you’re a startup or enterprise, we ensure your app is secure, scalable, and ready to handle growth.

Want a Logistics App? Contact Us Today!

What Are the Bonus Features to Make Your App Smarter?

Once you’ve built the basic version, you can level up your app with these advanced features:

  • Surge Pricing (Peak Hours): Charge more during busy hours (like Uber).
  • Multi-Location Support: Add routes with multiple stops for courier or delivery businesses.
  • Firebase Backend Integration: Store pricing history, past deliveries, and customer data.
  • Export Pricing Reports: Allow users to export costs to CSV or PDF invoices for business use.

From Tutorial to Real-World Logistics Apps

Building a logistics cost prediction app in Flutter is not as complex as it may sound.

With the power of Google Maps API, geolocation, and a simple pricing formula, you can easily calculate delivery costs using distance, weight, and time.

Now you can set up a Flutter project, integrating the Distance Matrix API, and creating a shipping rate calculator in Flutter that shows real-time cost updates.

This approach can help you build smarter apps for logistics, courier services, or eCommerce platforms.

You now have a complete Flutter cost calculator app with GitHub code that you can clone, test, and customize for your project.

FAQs

  • You can build a shipping cost calculator Flutter app by combining distance, weight, and time in a formula.
  • Use Google Maps API to fetch distance and add weight/time-based charges.

  • Yes, the Distance Matrix API in Flutter helps calculate travel distance and time.
  • Many logistics and delivery apps use it for accurate cost estimation.

  • The best way is to combine distance + weight + time factors into one pricing formula.
  • You can also add dynamic pricing in Flutter app features, like surge pricing.

  • You can add a weight-based shipping calculator Flutter function that multiplies the weight by a per-unit charge.

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