What Are the Best Load Boards for Truckers in 2025?

No one gets into trucking to spend half the week chasing freight. Yet without the right tools, that’s exactly what happens, alongside missed loads, wasted fuel and long stretches of unpaid miles.

That’s why, along with fleet management software, more carriers are turning to the best load boards for truckers. These digital platforms connect carriers with freight opportunities in real time, helping to reduce downtime, fill backhaul loads and improve route planning.

In this guide, we break down the top load boards of 2025 and help you choose the right option based on cost, features and freight fit.

What is a Load Board and Why it Matters

A load board is a digital marketplace where carriers, shippers, and freight brokers connect to post and find freight opportunities in real time. Think of it as an online job board, except instead of gigs, you’re bidding on shipments.

Whether you’re an owner-operator or managing a small fleet, load boards give you instant access to loads that match your equipment, routes and availability.

These platforms play a critical role in helping carriers fill backhaul loads, reduce empty miles and maximize profit per mile. Instead of wasting fuel and time driving empty between jobs, truckers can line up their next shipment before even completing their current delivery. This streamlined approach not only increases revenue but also improves route efficiency and reduces operational overhead.

Load board platforms have become the go-to tool in today’s competitive trucking industry. In 2025, DAT Freight & Analytics, the largest load board in North America, handled up to 2.9 million load posts in a single week.

These boards offer everything from rate insights and credit scores to mobile booking and live freight tracking, making them essential for keeping your wheels (and your business) moving.

Criteria for Choosing a Load Board

Not all load boards are created equal. To find the right platform for your business, it’s important to evaluate how well each one supports your daily operations and long-term growth.

Two of the most critical factors are load volume and frequency. These determine how many listings you can access daily, directly impacting your ability to keep your trucks full. The largest load boards, like DAT and Truckstop, list hundreds of thousands of freight opportunities every day.

Next, consider load variety. If you’re running flatbeds, reefers, box trucks or hotshot rigs, choose a board that offers a wide range of compatible freight types.

Pricing also plays a major role; some platforms, like DAT One, offer limited free access, while premium plans unlock advanced tools like rate forecasting and expanded load visibility.

For many truckers, mobile functionality is non-negotiable. Popular platforms like Trucker Path stand out for their clean mobile apps, real-time alerts and GPS-integrated mapping. You’ll also want to evaluate extras like broker credit scores, fuel surcharge estimators and freight market analytics, which can sharpen your rate negotiation skills.

Finally, look for integration capabilities. The best load boards sync easily with dispatch software, factoring services, and telematics tools to streamline your workflow.

Top Load Boards in 2025

With so many platforms on the market, choosing the right load board can feel overwhelming. To help narrow your search, we’ve reviewed five of the most trusted names in the industry, based on features, load availability, pricing and usability.

DAT

Best for: Carriers seeking the largest load volume.

Key features:

• DAT One mobile app with real-time load visibility
• Credit scores, broker ratings and profit estimators
• Automatic load alerts and intuitive interface
• Extensive coverage across all freight types

DAT is widely recognized as the most comprehensive carrier load board, listing millions of loads annually. Its feature-rich mobile app and expansive broker network make it ideal for full-time operators who rely on consistent, high-paying freight.

Pricing: Subscription plans start at around $49 per month.

Truckstop

Best for: Fleets that need smart filters, diverse freight types and customizable search tools.

Key features:

• Pro filters, including authority age, load popularity and backhaul search
• Real-time mapping and automated load recommendations
• Broker ratings and market insights
• Support for flatbed, hotshot, bulk and more

Truckstop offers a highly flexible load board package designed to help carriers reduce empty miles and increase profitability. With a suite of advanced tools, ranging from customizable filters to backhaul searches, Truckstop gives small fleets and niche operators the control and insights they need to make smarter booking decisions.

Pricing: Starting at approximately $42 per month, with tiered packages available.

C.H. Robinson Navisphere

Best for: Established fleets managing contract or intermodal freight with broader logistics needs.

Key features:

• Centralized planning, payment and freight execution
• Forecasting tools backed by 200,000+ global users
• Tight integration with carriers and shippers
• Built-in load tracking and reliability tools

Navisphere combines a digital load board with C.H. Robinson’s full-service logistics platform. It offers comprehensive functionality for carriers seeking to streamline operations and integrate within an extensive network of shippers.

Pricing: Free to use with a C.H. Robinson carrier account.

J.B. Hunt Carrier 360

Best for: Carriers aligned with J.B. Hunt seeking all-in-one booking and payment tools.

Key features:

• DRIVE app with map-based load search
• Direct load booking and dispatch
• In-app payment tracking and claim management
• 24/7 support with streamlined workflows

Carrier 360 is J.B. Hunt’s proprietary load board, giving users access to a large shipper network and thousands of loads daily. Its app offers a seamless workflow, from booking to payout, making it popular among existing J.B. Hunt partners.

Pricing: Free via the Carrier 360 app.

Total Quality Logistics (TQL)

Best for: Carriers looking for large volume access with basic digital tools.

Key features:

• 70,000+ weekly load opportunities
• Online quote submissions and document access
• Check call and dispatch management tools
• Mobile-friendly carrier dashboard

TQL’s load board delivers convenience and access to a wide range of shipments. While it provides strong volume and simple tools, some carriers note drawbacks in rate competitiveness and communication speed.

Pricing: Free with a TQL carrier account.

Comparison Table

Free vs Paid Load Boards

Free load boards, such as Trucker Path, TruckSmarter and the basic version of DAT One, are a great starting point for new drivers or owner-operators handling low volumes.

They offer basic search tools, access to loads and mobile convenience, but often limit how many searches you can perform or filters you can apply. You might also find less detailed broker info and fewer high-paying loads.

Paid load board plans, by contrast, unlock deeper listings, better load variety, and features like credit scores, rate histories and automated alerts. Platforms such as DAT and Truckstop offer advanced filters, real-time market insights and profitability tools that help carriers avoid deadhead miles and negotiate better rates.

While costs can range from $42 to over $100 per month, many carriers quickly recoup the investment through improved booking efficiency, higher-value loads and fewer wasted miles. For most full-time drivers, a paid load board quickly proves its value.

Use-Case Recommendations

Choosing the right load board depends on your business model, equipment type and daily workflow. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you find the best match.

Owner-operators

For solo drivers managing their own schedules and income, DAT offers unmatched access to loads and tools like rate benchmarking and broker credit checks. Its wide range of freight types and load density makes it ideal for keeping your truck moving, especially when working unfamiliar routes.

Small fleets

Fleets with a handful of trucks benefit from Truckstop. Its powerful filters, real-time market insights and dispatch tools help allocate loads effectively across multiple vehicles, reduce empty miles and ensure profitable route planning.

Flatbed and specialized equipment

Carriers hauling oversized or non-standard freight will find Truckstop and 123LoadBoard especially valuable. Both platforms offer equipment-specific load searches, clear visibility into special requirements and robust broker data to help ensure smooth coordination and fair rates.

Hotshot and van work

For light-duty and expedited hauls, Trucker Path and DAT are top picks. Trucker Path’s mobile-first design makes it easy to book loads on the go, while DAT offers high-quality loads and filters for hotshot, cargo van and box truck work. These tools help drivers fill gaps in their schedules and maintain steady cash flow, even in tight delivery windows.

Tips To Maximize Load Board Value

To get the most out of any load board, consistency and smart setup are key. Start by setting up alerts and favoring searches that match your routes, equipment and preferred rates. This ensures you’re the first to know when new, high-quality loads become available.

Make use of built-in market intelligence tools to guide your rate negotiations and avoid undercharging, especially in high-demand lanes. Posting your available equipment regularly can also attract direct offers from brokers or shippers looking to fill last-minute gaps.

While it may be tempting to try every platform out there, stick to two or three load boards that match your goals. This gives you strong coverage without overwhelming your workflow. The goal is to stay efficient, informed and selective, booking the best loads, not just the first ones you see.

Future Trends in Load Boards (2025)

As technology and market demands evolve, load boards are adapting to offer smarter, faster and more integrated tools for today’s carriers. Here’s what to expect in 2025:

• AI-powered rate forecasting: Advanced algorithms are helping carriers predict rate changes by lane, season and demand, giving drivers more leverage in rate negotiations.
• Integrated broker and factoring services: Many load boards now offer in-platform credit checks, broker vetting and factoring partnerships to streamline payment and reduce financial risk.
• Mobile-first customization and voice/text search: Platforms are prioritizing intuitive mobile experiences, including voice-command search and personalized dashboards, for drivers on the go.
• Real-time market analytics and emissions tracking: Expect deeper insights into load-to-truck ratios, deadhead miles and even carbon impact, helping fleets optimize for both profit and sustainability.

Making Load Boards Work for You in 2025

Freight might move fast but profits don’t follow unless your trucks stay loaded. That’s why load boards have become essential to how modern carriers operate. For most carriers, DAT remains the gold standard, offering unmatched load volume, trusted broker data and powerful rate tools.

But that doesn’t mean it’s the only solution. Depending on your fleet size, equipment type, and regional focus, combining DAT with platforms like Truckstop or Trucker Path can offer even greater flexibility and value.

If you’re just getting started, test out free plans to explore features and match quality. Once you understand your needs, a paid subscription often pays for itself with higher earnings, faster booking, and smarter dispatching.

Evaluate your current load rates—see if a move to a premium board could boost your earnings today.