Knowing where to find the right loads is the key to becoming a successful freight driver. The amount of options available can be daunting, particularly if you’re a newer driver. Let’s take a closer look at the options out there and see just where you can find loads to haul.
Local Shippers
The first thing you want to do is check your local area. There could be companies around your home that has need of truckers. Don’t be afraid to give them a call and see if they have need of a driver. Doing so could very well be the start of a very beneficial business relationship.
Freight Brokers
If you don’t have any local places that need truckers or if you’re just looking to diversify the types of places you’re getting your loads from, then freight brokers ought to be the next thing to check on your to-do list. This is a great option in general, but particularly so for truckers new to the industry. These are middlemen that work with both shippers and freight drivers.
Trucking Companies
Leasing through a trucking company is a great way to find loads to haul. Now, this isn’t company driving, doing this still allows you to own your own truck and set your own rules. It just gives you the added benefit of having access to a larger, more tenured company’s list of shippers. And as an added benefit, there are companies out there who pay for things like insurance or even fuel.
Government
If you’re looking for consistency, then contracting through the government might be a path you want to explore. There’s plenty of options, from federal to state to local government. Keep in mind, however, that these contracts are most often given out to the more experienced freight drivers and trucking companies. This is a general rule, though, and not something that should keep you from reaching out and inquiring. You may very well be the freight driver a government entity is looking for right now.
Technology
We live in a highly technological and sophisticated age. Anyone looking to get ahead of the pack should look towards leveraging technology whenever possible, and that includes freight drivers, too. There are all kinds of apps and programs and websites out there that will connect you with shippers, freight brokers, loads, government contracts, and whatever else you could possibly need.
Load Boards
Speaking of technology, load boards are one of the very best ways for freight drivers to find loads to haul. They don’t just show you the loads available, but will often also have a lot of data to go over as well. Load boards will commonly have things like the type of loads, the route you’re taking for it, the overall weight, the size of the shipment, whether or not its considered hazardous materials (HAZMAT) or not, along with many other options. One example of an online load board is freightfinder.com.
All in all, there are plenty of options out there for the modern freight driver. It all just depends on where you look and how much you’re willing to hustle.
