Are you looking for drivers and carriers to deliver your goods, or are you a driver or fleet operator looking for additional loads to fill your vans? Then look no further than a load board as they can help your business and many cater for cargo van loads.
Load boards have been designed to bring together shippers, brokers and carriers in a single place so that loads can be shared, bid on and booked easily. This allows shippers and brokers to find competitively priced rates, and it enables carriers to find loads to fill their trucks and increase the revenue from their vehicles.
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The table below shows a quick price comparison of all the load board solutions that we’ve researched:
| Company name | Monthly cost | Free plan |
|---|---|---|
| 123 Loadboard | From $35/mo | Free trial for 10 days |
| Direct Freight Services | From free | Free to use |
| Omnitracs | Not stated | No |
| Amazon Relay | Not stated | No |
| Landstar | Not stated | No |
| Truckstop | From $39/mo | No |
| Loadup | From free | Free for shippers and some carriers |
| Bridgeway | Not stated | No |
| Universal | Not stated | No |
| FindFreightLoads | Not stated | Free for brokers and shippers, a free three day trial for carriers |
| Arcbest | Not stated | No |
| Expedite | From $50/mo | No |
| Circle Logistics | Not stated | No |
| Ivia | Free account but fees apply | Free account only |
| Full Circle | Not stated | No |
*The prices in the table above (where available) come directly from each company’s website and were accurate at the time of writing. Since then, those prices may have changed.
We’ve listed the results of our load board research and the features of each company’s product in a bit more detail below. You’ll be able to see the benefits of their service and some general information about the company as well.
*companies are ranked in no particular order.
Topics
1. 123 Loadboard
123 Loadboard offers freight solutions that caters for businesses of all sizes across the US and parts of Canada.
- They provide a freight matching service that includes small loads
- They have a choice of plans that cater for carriers and brokers
- You can try the load board free for 10 days on the carrier plans
- Carriers can sign up online for one of their plans or the free trial
- Loads can be searched easily including the load type
- Alerts can be set up for suitable loads
- Their Rate Check tool can help you calculate your rates
- They offer mileage and routing services
- It can be accessed through a mobile app from anywhere
- Credit checking services are also available
Website: https://www.123loadboard.com/
2. Direct Freight Services
Direct Freight Services is a freight company that operates across the United States helping to connect drivers, shippers and brokers.
- Offers a load board that caters for a wide variety of loads including cargo vans
- They offer a free account to all users
- You can register for an account on their website
- Over 300,000 loads are posted daily
- Unlimited searches are available with improved load filtering
- Provides load alerts by email and text for suitable loads
- Provides route planning and weather forecasts to help with pricing loads
- Their Driver App enables you to search for loads from anywhere
- Loads can be posted by shippers and brokers for free
- You can store and send documents from the load board
Website: https://www.directfreight.com/
3. Omnitracs
Omnitracs offers a range of fleet services products that help drivers, back-office teams and customers to optimise their operations.
- Offers a cloud-based load board for carriers and shippers
- Provides two plans that offer different levels
- Has a network of over 26,000 vetted vehicles
- Their loads cover the US, Canada and Mexico
- They cater for a variety of loads including expedited and partial loads suited to small vans
- You can search for suitable loads
- Option to receive real-time truck locations
- The Driver Mobile App provides a better driver experience
- They offer integration with fuel cards
- They provide third-party application integrations
Website: https://www.omnitracs.com/
4. Amazon Relay
Amazon Relay is a part of the Amazon group of companies and they provide a carrier network to deliver Amazon and third-party parcels.
- They offer a load board that specialises in small loads
- They cater for small vans and box trucks
- They have a large network of drivers and carriers
- Thousands of small loads are available each day
- Offers a choice of single or multiple week contracts for carriers
- Real-time alerts for changes to assigned work
- Their app offers fast on-site check-ins and commercial navigation
- The app also can help you add stopping places for fuel, parking and food on route
- Provides quick and easy payments
- Offers a reward program and discount scheme
Website: https://relay.amazon.com/
5. Landstar
Landstar provides transportation solutions that are technology-enabled, asset-light and integrated including a load board.
- Offers a load board with a wide range of load types
- They have thousands of loads available daily including those suitable for cargo vans
- They have coverage across the US into Canada and Mexico
- The load board caters for owner-operators and independent agents
- Suitable loads can be found easily by searching the load board
- Carriers can also post their truck availability
- Load alerts can be set up for suitable loads
- The app can be downloaded so you can search for loads from anywhere
- Offer a range of information such as in-depth analytics, pricing and capacity
- They offer resources and back-office support
Website: https://www.landstar.com/
6. Truckstop
Truckstop helps freight companies improve their processes from matching loads to payment handling.
- A load board that is designed for shippers, brokers and carriers
- 80 million loads are available every year
- They offer a variety of load types some suited to cargo vans
- Their plans cater for varying needs from a basic plan to a pro plan with advanced features
- Provide a vetted network of carriers, shippers and brokers
- Posts on the load board include the rate
- Option to instantly book loads and receive rate confirmation instantly
- Their mobile app enables you to book loads from anywhere
- Offers market insight to help users
- Provides additional services including cargo insurance and invoice factoring
Website: https://truckstop.com/
7. Loadup
Loadup is a freight provider that has two loads that cater for two geographical markets – one for the US and Canada and the second for all other countries.
- Offers a load board that is free for shippers
- Some carriers can access the load board for free, some truck types will need to pay a membership fee
- They cater for 35 vehicle types which include cargo vans
- The load board is designed for individuals, freight brokers, manufacturers, house and furniture movers
- They provide detailed posts for loads
- You can search their load board for suitable loads
- Unrestricted access with no bidding, auctions or commission
- Offers access to tenders
- Set up alerts for suitable loads by email
- Be included in their courier and hauler member directory
Website: http://www.usacanadaloadup.com/
8. Bridgeway
Bridgeway is one of the largest specialty transportation providers in America and has a network of owner-operators, agents and third-party carriers.
- They offer a freight matching service for carriers and shippers
- A network of 100,000 freight professionals handling over 500,000 loads annually
- They offer a range of load types including those suitable for cargo vans
- Carriers need to register with them
- Helps carriers with more consistent loads and make more money
- Offers competitive rates
- Provides accessible and experienced staff
- Assist carriers in managing and accessing loads
- Provides safe and reliable transport services
- Offers savings on fuel and equipment
Website: https://bridgewayconnects.com/
9. Universal
Universal offers a range of transportation and logistic services that assist carriers and shippers. They claim to be one of the largest truckload transportation companies in North America.
- They provide a load board that caters for a variety of loads
- They offer equipment types including cargo vans
- Coverage across the US and Canada
- Thousands of loads are available
- Carriers need to apply through the website
- All carriers are vetted before access is given
- Search for suitable loads
- An experienced team of staff provide support
- They assist clients to scale their businesses and meet demand
- They cater for a variety of industries such as retail, automotive, healthcare, industrial, energy and government services
Website: https://www.universallogistics.com/
10. FindFreightLoads.com
FindFreightLoads.com uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve its load board and assist carriers in finding the best load matches.
- Provides a load board called RightNowLoad.com
- Free for shippers and brokers to post loads
- Carriers need to subscribe with a monthly fee but no contract applies
- A three day trial is available for carriers
- It enables carriers to search for suitable loads
- They provide direct contact with brokers, shippers and manufacturers
- Credit report lookups can be conducted each month by carriers
- Bulk upload facilities are available for shippers to post their loads
- They offer factoring services for invoices
- Additional services include mileage and routing directions, fuel discounts, weather and load conditions
Website: https://findfreightloads.com/
11. ArcBest
ArcBest is a global logistics company offering shipping solutions in the US, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
- Offers a load board that caters for a variety of businesses
- Offers over 5,000 shipments each day
- Provides premium freight solutions through Panther Freight
- You need to register to join the load board
- You can search loads by location, date, equipment and shipment type
- They aim to provide consistent loads and offer preferred lanes
- Cater for a wide range of equipment including cargo vans
- They aim to help you operate more efficiently
- Offers weekly pay and a reward program
- Provides around-the-clock support
Website: https://arcb.com/
12. Expedite
Expedite provides a load board that caters just for expedited loads and covers the US and Canada.
- Offers a dedicated load board for expedited loads
- Network of over 2,000 carriers and brokers
- Offers two plans for different vehicle types
- Carriers need to meet their requirements to access the load board
- Most suited to cargo vans, Sprinter vans and box trucks
- Caters for freight companies, small expediting companies and independent contractors
- Provides a simple bidding system
- Brokers can post loads quickly and easily
- Accessible through a mobile app and website
- Support is provided by email
Website: https://expediteloadboard.com/
13. Circle Logistics
Circle Logistics is a logistics solutions provider that offers freight brokerage and asset carriage services across the US, Canada and Mexico.
- Provides a load board for independent carriers
- Offers opportunities for small carriers to access larger jobs
- Caters for a broad range of equipment types including cargo vans
- Offers a choice of traditional and dedicated broker options
- Carriers need to complete an application to access the load board
- Loads can be searched easily by location radius and equipment type
- Personalised solutions available for shippers
- Track loads with 100% visibility
- Helps carriers to get paid quicker
- Assists with EDI requirements through the latest technology
Website: https://circledelivers.com/
14. Ivia
Ivia is a load board provider that aims to improve the efficiency of transportation and help save money.
- Their load board is free to access
- They offer two plans which provide different access levels
- A free trial is available for their paid plans
- You can get a free account on their website by providing basic details and your US DOT
- Their extensive network provides on-demand capacity
- All plans offer unlimited searches and posts
- Advanced tracking facilities are available
- They offer notifications and chat facilities
- Reporting facilities and a dashboard are available on advanced plans
- You can access deep analytics and automated POD as well
Website: https://ivia.com/
15. Full Circle
Full Circle provides software solutions for the transportation industry which help automate operations and aim to improve profitability which include TMS, ELD and load board.
- Offers a specialist load board for expedited and hot shot loads
- Their loads are suitable for cargo vans, Sprinters, straight trucks and tractor-trailers
- The load board forms part of their TMS plans
- Carriers need to register using an online form to access the load board
- The load board allows you to search and bid for loads
- Brokers and shippers can quickly post loads
- Offers auto-dispatch of loads to the selected bidder with rate confirmation
- It can also send automatic notification to unsuccessful bidders
- It allows you to friend or unfriend partners within the network
- You can utilise other tools that are part of the plan such as CRM, dispatch and TMS
Website: https://fullcircletms.com/
Cargo van load board Q&As
What are cargo vans?
Cargo vans are large vans but these are not as big as a box truck. They tend to be fairly versatile vehicles as they can transport a range of goods and are good at driving in built-up areas as they are more agile to drive than other vehicles.
Cargo vans unlike some other vans don’t have a separate seating area and the driver can often access the cargo area through a gap in the seating area. They tend to have seats for a driver and one or two passengers.
Cargo vans are available in different sizes and they have a flexible interior that can be easily customised for different uses and storage. Compact cargo vans offer a length of 83″ and cargo vans 126″ with the width and height also increasing with the length. They tend to have a capacity of about 250-230 cubic feet.
Why should you use cargo van services?
Cargo vans are ideally designed to deliver smaller loads and goods as they don’t have the space that large trucks offer like flatbeds or even box vans. Cargo vans are more agile in delivering goods in built up areas and therefore are more suited to courier or expedited loads as well as smaller loads or partial loads.
Using a cargo van to deliver your goods can be more economical for smaller loads as they can have low operating costs in terms of fuel efficiency. There is also a growing market for smaller vehicles for making deliveries with the growth of online sales and the need to deliver goods to people’s homes.
Do all cargo van load boards show rates?
No, not all load boards display the rates for the loads posted. A lot of load boards are by their nature a competitive place to bid for loads where drivers and carriers send quotes for loads and the shipper or broker will select a preferred bid. If they included a rate on their post for the load then it wouldn’t encourage competition or get them the best price for the load.
Some load boards however do display rates and are not competitive load boards. Other load boards provide assistance in working out the rates for loads for both shippers and carriers so that they can bid more accurately and shippers have a better understanding of what a fair quote should be. These tools include rate calculators and historical rate information.
Which load board pays the most?
There is no particular load board that pays more than others and the main reason for this tends to be that the load boards work on a competitive basis, so the rates are set by the carrier and not the load board or the shipper/broker.
As the carriers choose which loads they want to bid on or apply for they are deciding the rate themselves or selecting ones with the rates that they feel are appropriate. Therefore carriers have to decide what level of profits they are comfortable with when they compile their bid or select a load with an advertised rate.
The load board can only impact the cost of the load in terms of the charges for using the load board or any fees that apply to winning the load. Every load board is different and will have its own fee or subscription structure whether is it free to access but it may charge a fee for each load or has a monthly subscription fee.
Whatever the fees or charges you should understand these in order to factor these costs into your bids.
Are there any restrictions around using cargo van services?
Cargo vans tend to be suited to smaller loads than many other carrier options as their vehicles tend to have a lower volume capacity. So they are restricted by the amount they can carry in volume, size and weight.
A compact cargo van can carry up to 1,480 lbs, a regular cargo van can carry up to 3,700 lbs and a heavy duty cargo van up to 4,080 lbs. Size-wise wise cargo vans have a capacity of about 230-250 cubic feet with varying sizes of cargo compartments, for example, a compact cargo van is 83” in length and standard cargo vans of 126”.
So the size of the goods and the weight will need to be factored into the load when you post it so that the right vehicle can be found for it.