In the trucking industry, an owner-operator is a driver who owns and operates their own truck instead of working as an employee for a carrier. They can either run under their own authority or lease onto a larger company that provides freight—while still maintaining some independence. Regardless of the setup, owner-operators are responsible for their own expenses, including fuel, maintenance, insurance, and permits.
Essentially, they are both the driver and the business owner, making decisions that directly impact their profitability. In exchange for having greater control over their schedule, routes, and earnings, owner-operators need to rise to the challenge of finding their own loads.
Without steady work, every truck is just an expensive asset that is sitting idle. In this article, One Freight Broker will cover some of the most common—and most successful—strategies for finding loads as an owner-operator. Let’s take a closer look.
Understanding Your Business Model
The biggest benefit of being an owner-operator is the potential for higher earnings compared to company drivers. Since they negotiate their own rates, they can take advantage of higher-paying freight and reduce costs to maximize profits.
Additionally, they enjoy greater independence and flexibility, choosing when and where to work. This freedom allows them to specialize in specific types of freight and even build long-term relationships with shippers that can help them grow their business.
But none of this is possible without finding a consistent stream of loads. Before you can start searching for these loads, you need to have a clear understanding of your business. Are you running under your own authority, or are you leased to a carrier? Your approach to finding loads will differ based on this.
- Leased Owner-Operators: The company you lease to will typically provide loads, but you still need to ensure you’re getting profitable runs.
- Independent Owner-Operators: You’ll have to find your own freight, negotiate rates, and handle paperwork, but you also have more flexibility and earning potential.
If you’re independent, the strategies below will help you stay loaded and profitable.
Load Boards: The Fastest Way to Find Work
A load board is an online marketplace where truckers, brokers, and shippers connect to arrange freight transportation. It functions as a digital bulletin board, listing available loads with details including pickup and delivery locations, weight, type of freight, and rate per mile. These platforms serve as an owner-operator’s greatest allies when it comes to finding work quickly. Here are some ways to make the most out of load boards:
Use Load Alerts to Get the Best Loads First
Most load boards allow you to set up alerts based on your preferred routes, truck type, and rate per mile. These alerts notify you as soon as a matching load is posted, so make sure you take advantage of this. Remember that the best-paying loads tend to get taken quickly, so being one of the first to call the broker can help secure higher-paying freight before it gets underbid.
Check the Load-to-Truck Ratio
Before booking a load, always check the load-to-truck ratio in the area. This ratio tells you how many loads are available compared to the number of trucks looking for freight. If there are more loads than trucks, you have the upper hand in negotiating higher rates. If the market is oversaturated with trucks, rates tend to be lower, and you may want to reposition to a better-paying area. Most premium load boards provide this data, helping you decide where to go next.
Avoid Cheap Freight
One thing to keep in mind is that not all loads are worth taking.
Many brokers post loads at low rates, hoping desperate truckers will accept them. To avoid undercutting yourself, calculate your operating costs per mile and ensure that any load you accept covers expenses and leaves room for profit. A good rule of thumb is to compare rates on multiple load boards before committing. If you see a significantly lower rate than the market average, it’s best to move on.
Best Load Boards for Owner-Operators
- DAT Load Board – One of the largest and most trusted in the industry.
- Truckstop.com – Offers rate negotiation tools and credit checks on brokers.
- 123Loadboard – User-friendly interface with a variety of search filters.
- Uber Freight – A digital marketplace that allows you to book loads instantly.
While load boards can be a great tool, relying solely on them isn’t always sustainable because competition drives rates down.
Work Directly with Shippers
Owner-operators can secure consistent—and high-paying—freight by working directly with shippers. Working with brokers has its advantages, but sometimes cutting out the middleman is the best course of action. Taking this route allows you to negotiate better rates, ensuring that more money actually stays in your pocket.
Direct contracts also provide greater stability, as shippers often look for reliable carriers to move their freight regularly. Additionally, less competition means you don’t have to fight for loads on crowded load boards. By building direct relationships with shippers, you can focus on the bigger picture, grow your business, and keep your trucks moving.
Cold Calling Shippers
Cold calling might seem old-fashioned, but it’s still one of the most effective ways to connect with shippers. This proactive approach may even make your business look good compared to your competition.
Begin by doing your research on local manufacturers, warehouses, and distribution centers—oftentimes you will find a few that need freight moved. When you call, introduce yourself, explain your services, and ask if they have any freight needs.
Be prepared with key details like your truck type, lanes you run, and your availability. The key to success is persistence. Even if a shipper does not need a truck today, staying on their radar can increase your chances of getting a call when they do.
Networking at Industry Events and Trade Shows
If cold calling isn’t working out, you can try meeting shippers in person. Attending trade shows and logistics conferences is a great way to do this.
Events like the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) or American Trucking Associations (ATA) meetings bring together businesses looking for reliable carriers. Come prepared with business cards and a clear pitch about your services. Face-to-face connections help you stand out. You never know which connections can lead to long-term contracts.
Even if a shipper doesn’t need your services immediately, they may refer you to others in their network.
Leveraging LinkedIn & Social Media
In this digital age, you are giving your business a significant handicap by not utilizing the powers of social media and the internet. Social media platforms like LinkedIn offer a direct way to connect with logistics managers and supply chain coordinators. This social networking site is designed specifically for professional connections, so make use of it to connect with potential clients.
Optimize your LinkedIn profile by highlighting your experience, equipment, and service lanes. Join industry groups where shippers post about their freight needs. When sending connection requests, make sure you write personalized ones so that it doesn’t come across as spam.
Engaging with posts and sharing trucking insights can also help build credibility, making it easier for shippers to trust and reach out to you when they need reliable transportation. This method takes time, but if you land a few dedicated contracts, you’ll have steady work at higher rates.
Building Relationships with Freight Brokers
Cutting out the middleman can work wonders for your business. However, don’t think that working with freight brokers offers zero advantages.
Freight brokers can be a valuable source of consistent loads, especially if you are struggling to find them yourself. Sometimes, owner-operators are too busy running their business that they have no time to worry about their next source of freight. This is where brokers come in.
Also known as logistics brokers, they handle everything so that business owners can spend more time on the tasks that generate income. Brokers take care of all the logistical aspects of the shipping process, from matching shippers with the right carriers to solving issues that arise during transportation.
By building strong relationships with reputable brokers, you can gain access to better-paying loads, negotiate better rates, and even secure dedicated freight opportunities. A good broker can also help with paperwork, ensuring smoother transactions and faster payments. Over time, working with the same brokers can lead to trust and reliability, reducing the stress of finding quality loads while maintaining steady cash flow. But since not all brokers are made equal, here are some ways to find the most reliable intermediaries:
Check Broker Credit Scores and Reviews
Before working with a freight broker, it’s important to verify their financial reliability. Many load boards provide credit scores and payment history for brokers that you can check out to gather more information. A low credit score or history of late payments is a red flag. Working with a broker who has a strong financial standing reduces the risk of payment issues.
Ask Other Truckers for Recommendations
Word of mouth is one of the most reliable ways to find trustworthy brokers. Talk to other owner-operators at truck stops, industry events, or online forums. Experienced truckers can often provide valuable insights into which brokers pay fairly, offer good rates, and communicate well.
Building a network of fellow truckers can also open doors to exclusive broker connections that may not be listed on public load boards.
Verify Broker Authority and Compliance
All freight brokers must have an active Motor Carrier (MC) Number and be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). You can verify a broker’s authority on the FMCSA website or use services like Carrier411 to check their compliance history. Avoid brokers with a history of complaints, revoked authority, or legal disputes. Ensuring compliance helps protect your business from fraudulent or unreliable brokers.
Partnering with Dispatch Services
Another reliable method, if you wish to focus on driving rather than searching for loads, is to rely on a dispatch service. These services connect you with available freight, negotiate rates on your behalf, and handle administrative tasks like paperwork and invoicing.
While dispatchers typically take a percentage of your earnings (usually five to ten percent), they often have access to higher-paying loads through established broker and shipper relationships. The key to success is finding a reputable dispatcher who understands your preferred lanes, equipment type, and rate requirements.
By working with a reliable dispatch service, you can reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and spend more time on the road earning money.
Hauling Government Contracts
Government freight can be a steady and well-paying option for owner-operators who meet the necessary requirements. To access these loads, you need to register as a government contractor through SAM.gov and stay compliant with federal regulations.
While the process can involve more paperwork and background checks, government contracts often provide consistent work with competitive rates, making them an attractive alternative to brokered freight. Specialized government loads—such as military shipments or FEMA emergency relief—may offer premium pay and long-term opportunities.
If you’re willing to navigate the registration process and maintain compliance, government freight can be a lucrative and reliable source of income.
Work with One Freight Broker
Success as an owner-operator comes from using multiple strategies. Don’t rely on just load boards or just brokers. Instead, build relationships with shippers, work with reputable brokers, and don’t forget to use social media. As an owner-operator, you need to be proactive in terms of networking and marketing your services.
Stay organized and always provide consistent service to maximize your chances of repeat business and positive word of mouth that can lead to referrals. Finding loads takes time, but with persistence and smart planning, you’ll keep your truck moving and your bank account growing.
If you are in need of reliable freight transportation services, choose One Freight Broker.
Thanks to our inclusive approach, we are now the go-to choice for shippers—and carriers—everywhere. Our unique strategy allows our clients to build beneficial, direct, and long-lasting connections with carriers. This is how we pass on high-volume discounts to our shipping partners.
Since our founding in 2013, we have reduced shipping costs significantly for our clients, amounting to tens of millions in savings, by linking shippers with dependable trucking allies and reducing their dependence on intermediaries.
We are also known for our extensive service range that allows us to provide exactly what our clients are looking for, from LTL to FTL, domestic to international, and even expedited shipping.
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. Whether you’re shipping domestically or require assistance with more complex logistics, we’re here to ensure your freight reaches its destination efficiently and cost-effectively.
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.
