Load boards for small carriers: how to compare
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A load board lists freight from brokers and shippers. Most small carriers use one or two main boards, sometimes with a tool that searches several at once.
What to compare
- Load volume in your lanes (for us: I-81, I-77, I-40 out of Southwest Virginia)
- Broker credit scores and days-to-pay data
- Rate data (what lanes actually pay)
- Monthly price and contract terms
- Mobile app quality for searching from the cab
Options to review
| Tool | Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAT One | Load board | FACT-CHECK | Large board |
| Truckstop | Load board | FACT-CHECK | Large board |
| 123Loadboard | Load board | FACT-CHECK | Budget option |
| LoadMaxer | Aggregator | FACT-CHECK | Says it searches DAT One, Truckstop, 123Loadboard and more in one feed; affiliate program (loadmaxer.com) |
Tip: before paying for a board, figure out your break-even rate per mile with our calculator so you can filter out losing loads.
TODO: test free trials and interview local carriers before ranking.