Load Board
A load board is an online marketplace where freight brokers post loads they need moved and carriers search for and book those loads.
What you actually need to know
Load boards are how most new owner-operators find freight. The big national load boards are DAT (the largest), Truckstop.com, and 123Loadboard. Subscriptions typically run $40–$165 per month depending on tier.
A typical load board listing shows: pickup city/date, delivery city/date, miles, weight, equipment type, broker name, posted rate (sometimes), and broker credit score.
The workflow:
- Search load boards filtered by your equipment type, current location, and desired delivery region.
- Call the broker on a load that fits, negotiate rate, confirm details.
- Get a rate confirmation (signed agreement) from the broker.
- Run the load.
Direct shipper relationships pay better than load board freight in the long run, but they take 6–12 months to develop. Load boards are the bridge to get there.
Common mistakes / confusions
- Posted rates on load boards are starting points, not final rates. Negotiate.
- The "average rate per mile" displays on load boards (like DAT's RateView) are based on real settlement data and are extremely useful for negotiating.
- Free load boards exist, but the volume and quality of paid load boards is significantly higher. For most owner-operators, the $40–$165/month is worth it.
Related terms
Where to go next
TruckStart is an educational tool, not a law firm, accounting firm, insurance agency, freight broker, or filing service. Always verify current requirements directly with FMCSA, your state, the IRS, and qualified professionals before making business decisions.