Whether you’re a new owner-operator or a seasoned trucking pro, if you’re in the freight business, one of the most important aspects of your job is knowing how to find freight loads. Without freight, there’s no cash flow—it’s that simple.
Fortunately, there are now more opportunities than ever to connect with shippers, brokers, and logistics partners in this digital age. If you’re just starting out, this process can be confusing, so One Freight Broker is here to walk you through it.
Here we will cover everything you need to know about finding loads, from using load boards to building direct relationships with shippers.
What is a Freight Load?
Before we dive into the methods of securing more freight loads, we need to define the basics. In the transportation industry, a freight load is any shipment of goods or cargo that is scheduled to be moved from one location to another. These loads are the foundation of the freight and logistics industry, playing a crucial role in how products move across the country or even globally.
Loads can be transported by truck, rail, air, or sea, depending on the nature of the cargo and the delivery requirements. Shippers usually coordinate with carriers to move these shipments efficiently, often with the assistance of freight brokers who handle the logistics. By working together, shippers, carriers, and brokers can ensure that goods arrive on time and in proper condition.
Freight loads come in many forms and are categorized by several key factors. One major distinction is between less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) shipments. LTL loads share trailer space with other shipments, while FTL occupies the entire truck.
Loads may also vary in terms of the type of commodity, whether it’s perishable goods requiring refrigeration or hazardous materials that need special handling requirements. Additionally, delivery timelines play a role in freight load planning, with some shipments needing expedited delivery and others scheduled well in advance.
Understanding these details helps brokers, carriers, and shippers coordinate effectively and choose the right equipment and route for each load.
Ways to Find Freight Loads
If you’re a trucker or a broker, your job is to find these loads and ensure they reach their destination safely and on time. In fact, finding consistent freight loads is key to success in the trucking and freight industry. To find these loads, there are several strategies for you to try:
Using Load Boards
The main way carriers find loads—if they are not already working with brokers—is with the use of load boards. These online platforms connect shippers with carriers and brokers, allowing users to post available loads or find trucks to move them.
Load boards are one of the most popular and accessible ways to find freight loads, especially for new freight brokers and independent truckers. They offer a wide range of load types, lanes, and rates, helping users match with the right freight quickly. Many also offer tools like rate calculators, route planning, and credit checks on shippers and brokers to ensure you’re working with reliable partners.
To get the most out of a load board, start by setting up a detailed profile that includes your equipment type, availability, and preferred lanes. You can use filters to narrow down searches to your ideal load types and avoid wasting time on unqualified leads.
If there are postings, it is essential to respond quickly. Keep in mind that high-paying and well-positioned loads tend to get claimed fast. Also consider using a paid subscription to access premium loads and advanced features that can give you a competitive edge.
Load boards are great if you are only starting out, but later on you will find that it is more valuable and convenient to work with trusted partners within your own network.
Freight Brokers and 3PLs
Freight Brokers and 3PLs (Third-Party Logistics Providers) provide consistent freight for new and experienced carriers alike.
These professional intermediaries connect shippers with carriers, managing the logistics of the shipping process from start to finish. They are not just matchmakers—they can handle everything from communication to rate negotiation to load coordination. They don’t move the freight themselves. Instead, they connect shippers with the carriers that can provide the transportation services they need based on their specific requirements.
Meanwhile, 3PL companies offer more comprehensive services, including warehousing, transportation, and logistics technology. Both options can be excellent for finding freight, especially if you haven’t built a strong customer base yet.
Direct Shipper Contracts
Over time, you need to work on developing your own network of connections, as direct shipper contracts are among the most reliable ways to find consistent and profitable freight loads.
Shippers are businesses or manufacturers that need to move goods regularly. Most of them don’t actually want to spend too much time looking for carriers through load boards and brokers when they could just rely on their network.
Direct shipper contracts cut out the middleman, often resulting in better rates. More importantly, it leads to long-term relationships that can provide steady work through the years. These arrangements can be particularly beneficial for small carriers and independent freight agents looking to secure regular lanes or recurring shipments.
To secure direct contracts, you can start by reaching out to local manufacturers, distributors, and agricultural businesses in your area. Approach them professionally with a proposal that highlights your reliability, safety record, insurance coverage, and any specialties you offer.
Dispatch Services
Another alternative option is to use dispatch services. Dispatch services, like brokers, act as intermediaries between freight carriers, shippers, and even brokers. A dispatcher typically helps you find loads, negotiate rates, and manage paperwork. For owner-operators, this can save valuable time and ensure a steady stream of work without having to constantly hunt for loads yourself.
Many dispatch services charge a percentage of each load—usually between 5% and 10%—but the time and stress they save often make it worth the cost, especially when you’re still establishing your network.
Work with One Freight Broker
Finding freight loads can be tough, but there are plenty of ways to do it regardless of the size of your business. Try the strategies listed above and use a combination of them until you can get comfortable enough to find your groove, get freight moving, and grow your business. This is not a one-size-fits-all game. What works for you may not work for another owner-operator. But ultimately, the key is to stay consistent and never stop building your network.
If you want to work with an established freight brokerage with a wide service range and a reputation for providing reliable freight transportation solutions, go for One Freight Broker.
One Freight Broker uses a unique and inclusive approach that allows them to pass on high-volume discounts to their clients by reducing their dependence on intermediaries. We allow our shipping partners to establish direct, beneficial, and enduring connections with reliable trucking allies, helping them save time and money.
Since our founding back in 2013, we have significantly reduced shipping costs for our clients, amounting to tens of millions in savings, thanks to this approach. This is also the reason we are now the go-to choice for shippers everywhere.
One Freight Broker’s freight broker services can handle everything from LTL to FTL, domestic to international, and expedited shipping. Additionally, our user-friendly online platform and TMS streamline the shipping process, from obtaining quotes to tracking shipments in real-time, offering transparency and efficiency.
At One Freight Broker, we’re committed to providing tailored logistics solutions that align with your shipping costs and needs, whether you’re navigating domestic shipments or exploring international logistics. Our deep industry knowledge and network of reliable carriers ensure your freight is in expert hands. Let us help you streamline your logistics for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
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.
