HOW TO FIND LOADS AS A NEW OWNER-OPERATOR IN 2026

You got your MC authority. Your insurance is on file. Your truck is ready. Now comes the question every new carrier faces: how do I actually find freight?

This is the make-or-break moment for most new owner-operators. The carriers who build consistent freight sources in their first 90 days survive. The ones who sit at truck stops refreshing a load board and taking whatever pops up? They burn through their cash reserves and park the truck within six months.

This guide covers seven proven methods for finding loads — from load boards to direct shipper relationships — ranked by how quickly you can start using them and how profitable they are long-term.

METHOD 1: LOAD BOARDS (FASTEST WAY TO START)

Load boards are the most common way new owner-operators find freight. A broker or shipper posts a load, you search by lane, equipment type, and rate, and you book it. Simple concept, but there's a right way and a wrong way to use them.

The Top Load Boards in 2026

DAT One is the industry standard. It has the largest freight network with over 500 million loads posted annually, the best rate data (DAT RateView), and broker credit scores so you can vet who you're hauling for. Monthly plans start around $45-$200+ depending on features.

Truckstop.com is the main competitor. Similar volume, good rate tools, and a slightly different broker base. Many drivers subscribe to both DAT and Truckstop to see the widest range of available freight.

Convoy, Uber Freight, and digital brokerages work differently — you see available loads with set prices, accept or decline, and get paid. Less negotiation involved, but rates tend to be lower than what you'd get negotiating directly with traditional brokers.

How to Use Load Boards Without Leaving Money on the Table

The biggest mistake new carriers make on load boards is accepting the first load they see. The posted rate is almost always the broker's starting point, not their best offer. Before you book anything, check the average rate for that lane using DAT RateView or Truckstop rate tools. If the posted rate is 15-20% below the lane average, call the broker and negotiate up.

Also, always check the broker's credit score before accepting. On DAT, look for a score of 80 or higher. Anything below that means other carriers have had issues getting paid. A great rate means nothing if the broker doesn't pay.

METHOD 2: BUILD BROKER RELATIONSHIPS (BEST LONG-TERM STRATEGY)

Load boards are a starting point, but the real money is in broker relationships. When a broker knows you, knows your equipment, and trusts your service, they call you first — before they post the load on a board. That means better rates and first pick of the best freight.

How to Set Up With Brokers

Every broker requires a carrier packet before they'll book you. This includes your MC authority, insurance certificate, W-9, and a signed broker-carrier agreement. Get your packet ready and submit it to every broker you want to work with.

Start with 10-15 mid-size brokerages that run freight in your lanes. Avoid the massive brokerages at first — they pay the lowest rates and treat small carriers as replaceable. Mid-size brokers value reliability and will reward you with better freight once you prove yourself.

How to Get Brokers Calling You Back

Pick up on time. Deliver on time. Communicate proactively. That's it. Sounds basic, but 80% of carriers can't do this consistently. After 5-10 loads with the same broker, you move from "random carrier" to "preferred carrier" — and preferred carriers get the best loads and the highest rates.

When you call a broker about a load, don't just ask "what's the rate?" Instead, lead with your equipment, your availability, and your service record. Something like: "I'm running a 2022 Freightliner, clean CSA, and I'm available in Atlanta by 8 AM tomorrow — what do you have going north?" That's how a professional operator talks, and brokers notice.

METHOD 3: HIRE A DISPATCH SERVICE

If you want to focus on driving and let someone else handle the load-finding, rate negotiation, and paperwork, a dispatch service is the move. A good dispatcher works the phones, calls brokers, negotiates rates, and books loads — so you can focus on what you do best.

Dispatch services typically charge 3-8% of gross revenue per load. That might seem like a lot, but a good dispatcher should consistently book loads at higher rates than you'd find yourself. If they're costing you 5% but finding loads that pay 15-20% more than what you'd get on a load board, you come out ahead.

What to Look For in a Dispatch Service

Look for dispatchers who specialize in your equipment type, have established broker relationships, provide transparent rate breakdowns, and don't lock you into long-term contracts. You should be able to see every rate confirmation and know exactly what the broker is paying.

Red flags: dispatchers who require upfront fees, won't share rate cons, push you into unfavorable lanes, or pressure you into long contracts. A good dispatcher earns their percentage by getting you better freight — not by trapping you.

METHOD 4: FIND SHIPPERS DIRECTLY (HIGHEST PROFIT MARGINS)

The holy grail of trucking is hauling directly for shippers — no broker in the middle, no percentage taken off the top. When you haul direct, you keep 100% of the freight rate. The challenge is finding them.

Prospecting Tools

Apollo.io is one of the best tools for finding shippers directly. You can search by job title (logistics manager, shipping coordinator, supply chain director), industry, location, and company size. Build a list of 50-100 shippers in your area, then reach out by email or phone.

Your pitch is simple: "I'm a local owner-operator with [equipment type], clean CSA, and I'm looking for consistent freight in [your region]. I can offer reliable service with direct communication — no broker middleman." Many small-to-mid-size manufacturers, distributors, and warehouses prefer working with reliable local carriers over calling a broker every time.

Other Ways to Find Direct Shippers

Drive through industrial parks. Visit distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and warehouses in your area. Look for loading docks with trucks. Walk in, ask who handles outbound shipping, and leave your card. Old school? Yes. Effective? Extremely.

Attend trade shows. Industry shows like MATS (Mid-America Trucking Show), local chamber of commerce events, and manufacturing expos are full of shippers looking for reliable carriers.

Ask other owner-operators. Drivers who specialize in one type of freight often know shippers who need other equipment types. Networking in Facebook groups and at truck stops puts you in front of referrals you'd never find online.

METHOD 5: CARRIER NETWORKS AND FREIGHT AGENTS

Carrier networks like Landstar, Mercer, and TQL's carrier program give you access to their freight without being a company driver. You operate under your own authority but get access to their load base, sometimes with dedicated lanes and consistent volume.

The trade-off is that these networks take a percentage or set rates for the loads they provide. But for new carriers who need consistent freight immediately, a carrier network can bridge the gap while you build your own broker and shipper relationships.

METHOD 6: GOVERNMENT AND CONTRACT FREIGHT

Federal, state, and local governments need freight hauled constantly — military equipment, FEMA supplies, postal routes, and more. Government contracts are competitive but offer consistent volume and reliable payment.

Register your business on SAM.gov (System for Award Management) to be eligible for federal contracts. If you're a minority-owned, woman-owned, or disadvantaged business, there are set-aside contracts specifically for small carriers.

The downside: government contracts involve more paperwork and compliance requirements than private freight. But if you can handle the admin, the freight is consistent and the pay is reliable.

METHOD 7: SPRING FREIGHT SEASON — WHY TIMING MATTERS

If you're reading this in February or March 2026, your timing is actually better than you think. Freight demand follows seasonal patterns, and spring is when things start picking up.

Construction materials, agricultural products, consumer goods restocking, and produce season all ramp up in March through June. This is when rates tend to climb and load availability improves — which means more freight to choose from and better negotiating leverage.

The carriers who get their broker relationships established now — during the slower winter months — are the ones who benefit most when spring volume hits. Use this time to set up with brokers, build your carrier packets, and get your name in front of logistics contacts. When the freight starts flowing, you'll be the carrier they call first.

For a detailed look at what to expect from the 2026 freight market, check out our 2026 Freight Market Outlook.

THE CASH FLOW PROBLEM (AND HOW TO SOLVE IT)

Here's the reality every new carrier faces: you find a load, you haul it, and then you wait 30-45 days for the broker to pay you. Meanwhile, your truck payment is due, insurance is due, and you need fuel for the next load.

This cash flow gap kills more new carriers than bad rates do. You can be hauling profitable loads and still go broke waiting to get paid.

Freight factoring solves this. You submit your invoice to a factoring company, they pay you within 24 hours (usually 90-97% of the invoice), and they collect the full amount from the broker. Yes, you give up 2-5% — but you get paid today instead of next month.

For new carriers, factoring isn't just convenient — it's often the difference between surviving your first 90 days and parking the truck. Once you have consistent cash flow, you can make better decisions about which loads to take instead of grabbing the first thing available because you need money now.

PROTECT YOURSELF WHILE YOU'RE ON THE ROAD

Finding loads is only half the equation — you also need to stay rolling once you've got freight. A breakdown on the shoulder of I-40 at 2 AM with a load deadline approaching is every owner-operator's nightmare.

Roadside assistance isn't optional when your income depends on your truck moving. One tow can cost $500-$2,000+ depending on distance and time of day. Roadside Masters covers tire service, towing, mobile mechanics, jump starts, lockouts, and fuel delivery for heavy-duty vehicles — all with one call, 24/7 nationwide.

YOUR FIRST 30 DAYS: A GAME PLAN

Here's a realistic action plan for your first month with active authority:

Week 1: Subscribe to DAT or Truckstop. Build your carrier packet. Submit it to 10 brokers in your preferred lanes. Book your first 2-3 loads from the load board — even if the rates aren't amazing. You need to start building your reputation and generating revenue.

Week 2: Set up factoring so you're getting paid same-day. Start calling the brokers you've hauled for to ask about more freight. Submit carrier packets to 10 more brokers. Begin researching shippers in your area using Apollo.io.

Week 3: Follow up with every broker you've hauled for. Ask: "What lanes do you need covered consistently?" This is how you move from spot loads to regular freight. Visit 2-3 industrial parks or distribution centers and introduce yourself.

Week 4: Evaluate your first month. Which lanes were most profitable? Which brokers were easiest to work with? Which loads should you avoid? Double down on what's working and cut what isn't.

For a more detailed week-by-week breakdown, read our First 90 Days Survival Guide.

COMMON MISTAKES THAT KEEP NEW CARRIERS SITTING EMPTY

Only using one load board. If you're only on DAT, you're missing loads on Truckstop and vice versa. At minimum, use one paid board and monitor a couple of free ones.

Taking every load without calculating profit. A $2.50/mile load with 150 deadhead miles pays less than a $2.20/mile load with zero deadhead. Always calculate total trip revenue divided by total trip miles (loaded + empty).

Not following up with brokers. You hauled one load and never called back. That broker has 50 more loads this month and you just disappeared. Pick up the phone.

Sitting in one spot waiting for the "perfect" load. The perfect load doesn't exist. Take a good load, deliver it well, and use the destination to find the next one. Momentum beats perfection.

Not having a business plan. If you don't know your target lanes, revenue goals, and expense budget, you're guessing. Write it down. Even a simple one-page business plan gives you direction.