Won’t fill up 20% of the time on spending $150/month on DAT? There might be a better way.
In the current freight environment, the owner-operators in the U.S. have a lot of options and are more confused than ever. Would you continue using load boards? Hire a dispatcher? Establish direct broker relationships? Or mix all three? Both choices will provide an opportunity, but both come with trade-offs that may affect your bottom line, your time, and even your sanity.
Washing your hands out on freight-chasing, or spending your money on the tools that fail to make it? It’s time to recalibrate.
According to the recent industry research, real-life results, and existing pricing mechanisms, we will decompose the advantages, disadvantages, and most efficient applications of the load board, dispatch services, and freight brokers.
Load Boards: Tools and Costs
Load boards are also popular with a number of owner-operators. The available loads are listed on such platforms as DAT One, Truckstop, and 123Loadboard, among others, every day. They include rate analytics, credit scores, and other relatively new services such as Book Now and mobile apps.
The catch is, however, that boards are flexible and visible but at the same time are extremely competitive. The loads everybody sees, many of them at the same place, at the same time. As a new authority, it is also difficult to become conspicuous. And the time taken to refresh listings, land call brokers, and complete paperwork? It adds up fast.
Board subscriptions start at $50 and go up to $180 monthly in 2025, according to your requirements. Several carriers operate more than thirty boards at once, and monthly board expenditure has risen to $150 to $300. That does not take into account the unpaid hours spent in terms of scheduling – a potential 10 or more hours a week for solo operators.
Dispatch Services: Time-Savers with Strategic Impact
Hiring a dispatcher is almost a cheat code; somebody else does all the digging, and you are behind the wheel. Dispatchers normally look through loads, quote rates, do paperwork, and backhaul plan. You could even speak with them on remittance back home and not be bothered with the brokers.
Majority dispatchers collect between 5 and 10 percent of your gross, or a load fee of just $75 or 150. When you make a gross of $8,000/week, then that is (400-800)—an investment that usually is paid back. Most carriers say that dispatchers do not just release up to 10+ hours per week but also tend to book higher-paid freight and empty miles.
Great dispatch: Your personal freight strategist: Our global dispatch services locate, deploy, and track the trends of rates, identify backhaul opportunities, and move a step ahead of the markets. When you engage the right team, it’s not only that you are outsourcing administration; it goes far beyond that, and you are also opening the key to increased efficiency and improved planning.
To have an in-depth view of what dispatch services entail, go here to find out.
Freight Brokers: Margins and Use Cases
The licensed middlemen are known as freight brokers. They also match shippers and carriers and have a tendency to control access to contract freight, the freight that sometimes does not make it to the public boards. Contract freight can be more profitable than spot in a tight or inverted market (such as we have experienced in 2025).
Carriers are not directly charged by brokers. Rather, they mark up their margin, which is usually 15 to 18 percent, into the rate you are paid. When the shipper is paying $2.20/mi, you only may receive $1.85/mt. In return, you might have access to regular freight, longer lanes, and a reduced deadhead percentage.
The key is reputation. The brokers desire carriers who attain punctual presence and safety grades and have good communication. Until they can prove themselves, new carriers may end up with lower-quality loads. However, when you are on a core rotation of a broker, things are much better as far as rates and regularity are concerned than pursuing spot loads on a day-to-day basis.
Real-World Breakdown: What Freight-Finding Model Fits You?
| Strategy | True Strengths | Key Drawbacks | Best For |
| Load Boards | – Total control- Easy to start- Tons of load access | – Time-consuming- Cutthroat rates- High deadhead risk | New authorities, solo owner-operators who prefer DIY |
| Dispatch Services | – Saves hours/week- Can get better rates- Handles admin | – 5–10% cut of gross- Must trust their quality & transparency | owner-operators grossing $6K+/week who want to scale or simplify |
| Freight Brokers | – Contract freight stability- Lower planning effort- Volume potential | – You get what’s left after their cut (avg 15–18%)- May not favor new carriers | Experienced owner-operators or fleets with good reputation |
| Hybrid | – Best mix of coverage and efficiency | – Requires effort to manage all 3- Risk of tool overload | Established owner-operators looking to optimize every load |
There is no perfect strategy to use; however, everything has its place. The point is to have the right freight-finding model (or mix) for your level of business, income objectives, and how much time you are willing to spend behind the keyboard or economically behind the wheel.
Red Flags and Industry Risks
The trucking market is no stranger to frauds and 2024-2025 have not been left out:
- Fake dispatchers asking for upfront fees or offering “exclusive shipper access.
- Double-brokered loads on boards, increasing legal and payment risks.
- Opaque broker fees and hidden charges like fake lumper fees.
- FMCSA Broker Transparency Rule (NPRM 2024) aiming to require brokers to provide transaction records within 48 hours.
What’s the Best Freight Strategy for 2025?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but patterns do emerge.
- New owner-operators: Start with load boards to learn lanes, build a track record, and control your schedule. Track your hours and pay.
- Once you’re grossing $6K/week or feeling overwhelmed by admin work, consider hiring a dispatcher to scale up and become strategic.
- At 6–12 months in, begin forming relationships with 2–3 reliable brokers. Deliver clean paperwork, be on time, and request dedicated lanes.
In the long run, the hybrid approach wins:
- Use load boards to fill gaps or chase hot lanes.
- Use a dispatcher to plan efficiently and offload admin.
- Use brokers for consistent freight and higher utilization.
The smartest owner-operators track time, cost, and loaded miles—not just gross revenue. If you’re spending 10+ hours a week on booking and still running 20% empty, it’s time to rethink your setup.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Chase Loads. Build a Strategy.
In 2025, the difference between scraping by and scaling up isn’t just hustle—it’s strategy. Choosing the right freight-finding mix can help you eliminate waste, stabilize your revenue, and reclaim your time.
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to focus more on the road, our team helps owner-operators across the U.S. with transparent, tailored dispatch support.
Let’s help you run smarter—Reach out.
Conclusion
In 2025, there are more options than ever for truckers to find freight. Load boards give flexibility and take time and work. Dispatchers make the operations simple by taking care of negotiations, booking, and paperwork. Freight brokers link the trucker to the shipper directly and can often have higher-value freight.
Choose the best one depending on your experience, time availability, and business objective. The right combination may boost your revenues, cut your stress, and make your trucking operation more efficient and profitable.
👉 Contact Dexter Dispatch Services today to join the next generation of successful owner-operators.