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Best load boards for owner-operators

What each major load board does best, so you can pick the right one for your truck and lanes. Plans and prices change often; check each company's current offer.

Our pick

DAT One

Best for: the most loads and the deepest rate data.

  • One of the largest load board networks in North America
  • Lane rate data to know what a load should pay
  • Broker credit and days-to-pay information
  • Mobile app with load alerts
Visit DAT One

Truckstop

Best for: carriers who want load search plus broker vetting tools.

  • Large load board with search and alerts
  • Broker credit and payment tools
  • Rate insight features on some plans
Visit Truckstop

123Loadboard

Best for: small carriers watching costs.

  • Lower-cost plans
  • Mileage and rate tools
  • Mobile app
Visit 123Loadboard

Trucker Path

Best for: drivers who want loads and road tools in one app.

  • Popular driver app for truck stops, parking and weigh stations
  • Load board inside the app
  • Good for finding loads near where you are
Visit Trucker Path

Direct Freight

Best for: alerts and a simple search.

  • Load search with alerts
  • Mobile app
  • Broker credit information on some plans
Visit Direct Freight

Digital freight apps

Best for: booking some loads without phone negotiation.

  • Apps from digital freight companies let you book loads at set prices
  • Fast booking and quick pay options
  • Prices are usually take-it-or-leave-it

How to choose

Load volume in your lanes matters most. Rate data helps you negotiate. Broker credit and days-to-pay protect your cash. A good mobile app and alerts help you grab fresh loads. Try the one that fits how you run, and use the load checker on every load.

"Our pick" is a DAT affiliate link; we may earn a commission. Other links are not affiliate links.

Common questions

Which load board is best for new owner-operators?

Most carriers start with one of the larger boards for volume and rate data, then add an app for loads near them. Many use more than one.

Are free load boards worth it?

They can help, especially for finding loads near you, but paid boards usually have more loads, rate data and broker credit information.

Do load board prices change?

Yes. Plans and prices change often, so check each company's current pricing before you sign up.

Free lane tips and the Load Booking Playbook

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Your equipment

Spending hours on load boards? A dispatcher can book loads for you. Find a dispatcher at CDLDispatch.com.

Tools for carriers

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