The Seven Best Load Boards for Owner Operators

In the modern trucking world, load boards can prove crucial for logging data and communicating information on loads, not only for drivers, but shippers and freight brokers. As far as owner operators go, it can be the most important tool in your arsenal. Drivers are now able to cut down on time through load board systems, and if you can master it, it can save you a lot of money in the end. With a lot of brands popping up to help drivers with their daily needs, especially independent contractors, we put together the top seven boards perfect for owner operators.

DAT TruckersEdge
Known for having the most available loads in a vast database across DAT Solutions, DAT TruckersEdge follows industry trends and top carriers for the best freight rates. The company offers a free demo before purchase for those who want to get acclimated. With over 600,000 truckers using the log system daily, many owner operators stick with DAT because the interface is a breeze. There are three different plans for TruckersEdge; Standard, Enhanced and Professional, and its compatibility with the KeepTruckin’s ELD log system makes it an industry favorite.

• Standard Plan: $34.95
• • Includes Unlimited Search & Post, Load Match Alarms, Mileage & Routing, Load Counts by State and Broker Credit Data Access
• Enhanced Plan: $49.95
• • Includes Standard Plan + Call to Post & Search, and Average Lane Rates
• Professional Plan: $99.95
• • Includes Enhanced Plan + 15-Day Lane Rates, Tri-Haul, DAT Assurance, Access to Canadian Loads, and IFTA & Fuel Optimization
• Visit: TruckersEdge.net

TruckStop.com
Specializing in load boards, and offering a free 1-month demo for access to its log system, TruckStop.com equips drivers with a wide range of ELD services for every type of truck and trailer, from reefer to heavy haul, making it especially easy for owner operators to keep track of their business. Offering three separate systems for Carriers, Shippers and Brokers, an overarching network connects everyone with an easy-to-use ELD Marketplace. This marketplace allows carriers to compare rates and performance history on brokers, and offers high efficiency for sellers with access to a third-party logistics network. Here are the details for owner operators:

• Carriers (Owner Operators)
• • Basic Plan: $39
  • • Includes Unlimited Load Searching, Unlimited Truck/Lane Posting, Option to Negotiate Loads, View Truck-to-Load Ratio, View Truck Volume by Location, and Instant Load Booking via Truckstop Mobile App
  • Advanced Plan: $125
  • • IncludesBasic Plan + Route Optimization, IFTA Taxes, Option to See Rate Trends, Plan Fuel Stops, View Broker Credit History
  • Pro: $149
  • • Includes Advanced Plan + Real-time Updates, Negotiating through Rate Mate, Trip Planning through Outbound Rates, Access to Best Paying Loads, Ability to Plan Multiple Trips

Visit: TruckStop.com

123LoadBoard
With availability online and through a popular mobile app, the easy-to-use 123 Loadboard is great for drivers with low tech experience, as well as those who just appreciate a simple interface. The marketplace specializes in freights, hotshots and backhauls, and is geared toward owner operators getting the most profits possible. Here’s the details of their plans:

• Standard Plan: $35
• • Access to Load Logs 24/7, Real-Time Load Alerts, Website/App Access, For 1 User
• Premium Plan: $45
• • Includes Standard Plan + Mileage & Map Data, Document Capturing and Storage, Option to See Broker/Seller Credit Scores, Load Planning, Free Fuel Card, For up to 2 Users
• Premium Plus Plan: $55
• • Premium Plan + Enhanced Mileage & Map & Toll Data, Industry Freight Rates, For up to 3 Users
• Visit: 123LoadBoard.com

NextLOAD Board
Understanding that budgets must be kept at a minimum for owner operators, NextLOAD is a free-of-charge load board designed for drivers to find freight and broker shipper loads 100% free. The company requires credit card information for credit checks, ensuring that everyone who uses the simple interface is at least somewhat reliable, but there are never any promotional periods, so you’ll always receive this product for free. Here’s what you get:

• Real-Time Load Postings, Credit Trustworthiness of Brokers/Shippers, Expired Loads Removed Daily, Create Unlimited User Accounts, App-Based, TMS integrations for Automative Postings, and a Free Fuel Card
• Visit: NextLoad.com

DirectFreight
Operating since 1997, Direct Freight has one of the largest log databases available, and have have been in the online load board systems industry since the dawn of the internet. With a professional support team who always knows what they’re doing, the company offers a simple app and online system that showcases over 300K daily loads, and growing - owner-operators interested in posting can have access to a forever-free account, while those wanting to search the database must pay for a single-type plan that costs $39. Here’s what you get with the plan:

• Unlimited Load & Truck Searching/Posting, Access to Seller Credit Scores, Weather Checks, GPS Truck Routing, Search Filtering, Private Load Information, and Customized Direct Freight
• Visit: DirectFreight.com

DAT MembersEdge App
Especially popular with owner operators looking to take advantage of the DAT network on the road without paying as much for TruckersEdge, DAT MembersEdge is an exclusive app-only system, and is the official board for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. Because of this, almost 1 million loads are posted a day, each relevant to what you are looking for, and a low month-to-month subscription of $32 makes the whole package worth it. Here’s what you get:

• Unlimited Searches and Postings, Refined Searching, Views of Broker/Shipper Credit Scores, and Ability to Negotiate Rates
• Visit: MembersEdge App

Trucker Path
Trucker Path is a free load board especially popular with owner operators due to its fast sign-up, and its showcase of about 150,000+ daily load posts. Mentioned in FleetOwner, Transport Topics, Commercial Carrier Journal and Overdrive, the load board has gotten a lot of reputable attention in the community. Also home to a quickly growing membership of 100,000+ carriers and offering choices between over a dozen trailer types, this is a great opportunity for flatbed, dry van and reefer drivers looking to practice data logging before joining larger networks. Here’s what you get:

• 100% Free Searching & Posting, Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective Trip Planning, and Search Refining
• Visit: TruckerPath.com