Truckers play a crucial role in the freight industry by physically transporting goods from shippers to their destinations. Also known as carriers, these are transportation service providers who serve as the backbone of supply chains, ensuring that raw materials, consumer products, and essential goods move efficiently across cities, states, and even international borders.
Whether operating as independent owner-operators or part of large trucking fleets, carriers are responsible for timely deliveries, maintaining cargo safety, and complying with industry regulations. In fact, their work directly impacts businesses, retailers, and consumers.
For truckers, finding good loads consistently is the key to staying profitable. But with so many options—load boards, brokers, direct shippers—figuring out the best way to find loads can be overwhelming. Here, One Freight Broker will break down the main ways truckers find loads along with the pros and cons of each strategy.
How Do Truckers Find Loads?
For carriers, finding loads directly impacts their income as well as the sustainability of their business. Generally speaking, truckers only make money when they have freight to haul. Without consistent loads, trucks sit idle, leading to lost revenue while expenses like fuel, maintenance, insurance, and truck payments continue to pile up.
By securing a steady flow of loads, truckers can maximize their time on the road. By reducing deadhead miles, they can operate at peak efficiency and enjoy financial stability.
Finding loads consistently can also help them build long-term relationships. Regularly working with the same brokers, direct shippers, and government contracts can lead to higher-paying freight opportunities. Truckers who establish a strong reputation for reliability and professionalism are more likely to receive repeat business and better rates.
Here are some of the ways truckers find loads in this highly competitive industry:
Load Boards: The Go-To Solution for Many Truckers
A load board, also known as a freight board, is an online marketplace where shippers, brokers, and carriers connect to arrange transportation. This is arguably the most common source of loads for carriers—especially those who don’t already have an established network.
Load boards help truckers find available freight to haul by listing them along with key details like their origin, destination, weight, type of freight, and offered payment. Truckers can browse and select loads that match their route and equipment type. They can use filters to find loads that fit their capacity.
Carriers can also use these platforms to post their available trucks so that brokers can reach out with offers. Many platforms provide tools to negotiate rates, book loads instantly, and track payments. Keep in mind that some load boards are free, while others require a subscription for access to premium listings and features like credit checks on brokers, real-time updates, and bidding options.
Popular load boards include DAT, Truckstop, and 123Loadboard. Each of these offer different levels of service and pricing. While load boards are a convenient way to find freight, experienced truckers often use them as a supplement to direct contracts or dedicated freight arrangements.
Pros and Cons of Load Boards
Pros:
- Easy access to a wide variety of loads
- Flexibility to choose loads based on schedule and location
- Helpful tools like rate insights and broker credit checks
- Opportunity for new truckers to find work quickly
Cons:
- High competition, leading to lower rates at times
- Many loads come from brokers, reducing profit margins
- Subscription costs for premium features
- No guarantee of consistent, high-paying freight
Freight Brokers: The Middlemen of Trucking
Speaking of brokers, these are professionals who serve as intermediaries between truckers and shippers. Their job is to help truck drivers find loads by matching them with available freight.
Freight brokers connect trucking companies or owner-operators with businesses that need to transport goods but don’t have the resources to handle logistics themselves. They use their industry networks, load boards, and direct relationships to match shippers with the right carriers.
The process starts when a shipper contacts a broker with a load that needs transportation. The broker then posts the load on a freight board or reaches out directly to trusted carriers. Truckers looking for work browse these boards or receive calls from brokers offering available shipments.
Once a match is made, the broker finalizes the details, ensuring compliance with regulations, verifying carrier credentials, and setting up payment terms.
Once a trucker accepts a load, the broker handles the paperwork, negotiates rates, and ensures smooth coordination between both parties. In return, brokers earn a commission, typically a percentage of the freight cost.
This system allows truckers to access a steady stream of jobs without having to directly market their services to shippers. Meanwhile, businesses benefit from having a reliable transport solution without managing their own fleet.
Pros and Cons of Using Freight Brokers
Pros:
- Provides truckers with access to a wide variety of loads.
- Saves time by handling negotiations and paperwork.
- Ensures reliable payment through broker-backed contracts.
- Allows small trucking businesses to compete with larger carriers.
Cons:
- Brokers take a percentage of the earnings, reducing truckers’ profits.
- Some brokers may offer lower rates to maximize their own commissions.
- Truckers have less control over negotiating directly with shippers.
- Some brokers may not prioritize long-term relationships with carriers.
Direct Shippers: Bypassing the Middleman
If the cons of working with brokers are too much for you, there is always the option of working directly with shippers. Truckers do this by establishing relationships with businesses instead of going through brokers and load boards. There are plenty of shippers that need regular transportation services.
A direct shipper is a company that manufactures or distributes goods and hires trucking companies or owner-operators to move their freight without an intermediary.
This method requires truckers to network with businesses, negotiate contracts, and maintain consistent communication to secure steady work. Some industries that rely heavily on direct shipping include manufacturing, agriculture, and retail, where large volumes of goods must be transported efficiently.
You will have to reach out to companies directly via cold calls, emails, or in-person visits if you want to take this approach. Once a relationship is established, truckers can negotiate rates and terms directly, often leading to better profit margins compared to brokered loads.
Remember that finding and securing these contracts requires time, effort, and strong sales skills. Offering additional services, such as warehousing or expedited shipping, may work in your favor. Many successful owner-operators build long-term partnerships with direct shippers, providing reliability and consistency that benefits both parties.
Pros and Cons of Finding Loads Through Direct Shippers
Pros:
- Higher profit margins by eliminating broker fees
- More consistent and long-term business relationships
- Greater control over rates and contract terms
- Direct communication with the shipper, reducing misunderstandings
Cons:
- Requires time and effort to establish relationships
- More administrative work, including contracts and invoicing
- Limited access to diverse loads compared to load boards
- Potential for inconsistent freight availability, especially for new truckers
Government Contracts: A Hidden Opportunity
Truckers looking for reliable and well-paying loads often turn to government contracts as a steady source of work.
Government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels frequently require freight transportation for military supplies, emergency relief efforts, postal services, and infrastructure projects. These contracts are typically awarded through a bidding process, where trucking companies or independent owner-operators submit proposals to fulfill specific transportation needs.
To access these opportunities, truckers have to register with platforms like the System for Award Management (SAM) and monitor government procurement websites such as beta.SAM.gov or state-specific portals. Many contracts have strict requirements, including security clearances, specific equipment standards, and compliance with regulations like the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
The process begins with identifying available bids, reviewing the requirements, and submitting a competitive proposal. In some cases, contracts are awarded based on lowest cost, while others prioritize experience, reliability, and certifications, such as being a veteran-owned or minority-owned business.
Once awarded a contract, truckers must ensure they meet all performance expectations. This includes ensuring timely deliveries, proper documentation, and adherence to safety standards.
Payments are typically made according to agreed-upon terms. However, this can sometimes involve longer wait times compared to private-sector jobs. Despite the challenges, many truckers find government contracts appealing due to their stability and potential for long-term work.
Pros and Cons of Government Trucking Contracts
Pros:
- Competitive pay rates, often higher than market rates
- Opportunities for long-term contracts and repeat business
- Clear regulations and structured contract terms
- Preference programs for veteran-owned and minority-owned businesses
Cons:
- Lengthy and complex application and bidding process
- Strict compliance requirements and regulations
- Potentially long payment cycles, requiring financial stability
- High competition for contracts, especially for smaller operators
Networking: The Underrated Secret to Finding Loads
These are all strategies you can implement to find loads consistently. However, if we are talking about long-term success, you need to start building your network. This is by far the best way to make sure you have a consistent stream of work.
Networking means building relationships with freight brokers, shippers, dispatchers, and other industry professionals who can provide direct access to available loads. Many truckers join industry associations, attend trucking events, and participate in online forums or social media groups to connect with potential clients and partners.
Networking works by fostering trust and mutual benefit between truckers and freight providers. Maintaining strong relationships also means proving your reliability and delivering a consistently high level of service. This is how you get repeat business and valuable referrals. Even in the transportation and logistics industry, word of mouth marketing can go a long way.
When a trucker has a solid reputation, brokers and shippers are more likely to reach out to them directly instead of listing the load publicly. This gives truckers access to higher-paying loads and better routes.
Many independent truckers also develop direct relationships with businesses in their region, allowing them to haul dedicated freight regularly. With a strong network, you can reduce your dependence on load boards and third-party services. Over time, a well-established network can lead to more consistent work, better rates, and a greater level of job security.
Pros and Cons of Networking for Finding Loads
Pros:
- Provides access to exclusive, higher-paying loads
- Reduces reliance on load boards and third-party services
- Can lead to dedicated freight opportunities
- Increases job security through repeat clients
Cons:
- Takes time to build a strong and reliable network
- Not always effective for new truckers with no connections
- May not provide immediate access to loads when starting out
- Can be competitive, especially in high-demand regions
Work with One Freight Broker
Finding loads as a trucker isn’t just about grabbing whatever is available. The most successful truckers use a combination of load boards, brokers, direct shippers, and networking to maximize profits and secure steady freight. The key is to diversify your load sources as you work towards building a strong network of industry connections. The more proactive you are, the more control you’ll have over your trucking business and profits.
Take note that in most cases, working with a freight broker is more advantageous, whether you are a shipper or a carrier. If you want to work with a well-established broker with a solid network of shippers and carriers, work with One Freight Broker.
We are the go-to partner for shippers of all sizes thanks to our extensive service range, competitive pricing, and advanced technological solutions. Our wide range of services allows us to find the perfect fit for your needs, whether it’s LTL, FTL, domestic, international, or expedited shipping.
We leverage our vast network of carriers to negotiate favorable rates, passing on high-volume discounts to our customers. In fact, since our founding in 2013, we’ve significantly reduced shipping costs for our clients, amounting to tens of millions in savings with our unique approach. One Freight Broker helps clients build strong connections with dependable trucking allies, reducing their dependence on intermediaries.
With over two decades of experience, One Freight Broker brings unparalleled knowledge of the freight industry, staying ahead of trends and regulatory changes to serve you better. When you partner with One Freight Broker, you gain access to a vast network of carriers, competitive rates, and a team of experts dedicated to optimizing your shipping process.
Contact Us Today
Ready to simplify your shipping experience? Contact One Freight Broker to discover how our expertise can benefit your business, ensuring your cargo is in safe hands every step of the way.
For more information on how we can assist your business, visit our website at 1fr8.broker.
