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How to read a load posting

Updated October 2026

A load posting packs a lot into one line. Here's how to read it, and what to confirm before you agree to anything.

The fields

Origin and destination: the pickup and delivery cities. Pickup date and time window. Equipment: van, reefer, flatbed and so on. Weight and length: make sure you can legally haul it. Full or partial: a partial uses only part of the trailer. Rate: sometimes listed, often blank. Broker name, MC number and credit or days-to-pay information, if the board shows it.

Confirm before you book

Exact pickup and delivery addresses and appointment times. Commodity and any special handling. Whether it's drop-and-hook or live load. Detention terms and free time. Lumper fees, and who pays them. Any tarping, temperature or team requirements. Then make sure every detail matches the rate confirmation.

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