If you’re sourcing or posting on LTL load boards, the platform you’re on directly affects how fast you can fill capacity. DAT can be the strongest pick for most brokers, but the best board depends on whether you prioritize load matching, instant quoting, or carrier vetting. The breakdowns below cover what each of our top six platforms do well, so you can find the right fit.
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We reviewed load boards for owner-operators, brokers, dispatchers, and small fleets, evaluating factors like load volume, freight quality, pricing structure, search and filtering tools, coverage areas, and overall value. We also analyzed carrier feedback to see how these platforms perform in practice, from ease of booking and rate visibility to broker communication and support.
Our in-house team regularly reviews and updates this content to ensure it remains accurate, current, and genuinely useful.
Top LTL Load Boards for Trucking
Best LTL Load Boards at a Glance
| Load Board | Starting Price | Best For | Daily Loads | LTL/Partial Filter | Rate Tools | Credit/Days-To-Pay | Free Tier | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAT | $54/month | Best overall | 644,500+ | Yes (“Partial” filter) | Yes (plan-dependent) | Yes (plan-dependent) | No | Yes |
| Truckstop | $42/mo (carrier) $109/mo (broker) |
Best for load matching | Not publicly stated | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| uShip | Free to join | Best sorting functionality | New shipment ~every 30 sec | Yes (LTL category) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 123Loadboard | $39/month | Best for freight intelligence | Not publicly stated | Yes (“Partial” filter) | Yes (Premium Plus) | Yes (Premium+) | No | Yes |
| Uber Freight | Quote-based | Best for flexible and instant booking | Not publicly stated | Yes (LTL category) | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Trucker Path | Free/$49.99/mo (premium) | Best mobile app | 150,000+ | Not confirmed | Yes (premium only) | Yes (premium only) | Yes | Yes |
DAT
DAT’s load board supports less-than-truckload (LTL) searches, helping carriers find broker and shipper freight that fits LTL needs. The company reports nearly 644,500 loads posted each business day, with about 6% specifically listed as LTL. You can start by filtering for “Partial” loads to locate LTL-friendly shipments. Depending on your plan, you’ll also get load-match alerts, lane-rate tools, and company research features, including reviews and credit scores.
Best For
- Carriers who want to focus searches on LTL by starting with “Partial” loads
- Operators who rely on alarms/alerts
- Teams that want lane-rate context and partner research tools in the same platform (plan dependent)
Features
- Nearly 644,500 loads posted every business day
- About 6% of loads posted are specifically LTL
- Search by “Partial” loads
- Load-match alarms/alerts to notify you when a load matches your search criteria
- Lane-rate and market-rate tools (plan dependent)
- Company reviews and credit score tools for partner research (plan dependent)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Specific workflow for finding LTL freight by searching “Partial” loads
- Alarms/alerts can reduce the need to refresh searches
- Plan-dependent tools like rate context, reviews, and credit scores
Cons
- Some data and tools such as rates, reviews, and credit tools vary by subscription plan
- LTL visibility depends on using the right search filters
Pricing
- DAT One Standard: $54/month
- DAT One Enhanced: $119/month
- DAT One Pro: $169/month
- DAT One Select: $239/month
- DAT One Office: $329/month
Truckstop
Truckstop, one of our overall top load boards for truckers, offers load board plans for freight brokers and carriers. Truckstop markets broker vetting and risk/compliance tools in its ecosystem, such as vetting brokers on the load board and carrier vetting/monitoring products like Risk Factors and SaferWatch.
Best For
Verified-broker load board access and optional risk/compliance tooling
Features
- Lane/equipment load searching and booking tools
- Broker plans include tools like carrier authority age filtering
- Pro broker plan includes “Book It Now” posting capability
- Optional carrier vetting/monitoring products
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Emphasis on loads posted by verified brokers and removal of outdated/fraudulent/duplicate postings
- Broker plans list decision tools, private loads, and authority-age filtering
- Optional factoring product is marketed as offering one-day pay
Cons
- Most features listed above are plan-dependent rather than included in a basic option
- Some “get paid fast” claims relate to factoring products rather than the load board itself
Pricing
- Carrier load board: Starts at $42/user/month
- Broker load board: Starts at $109/user/month
uShip
uShip is a shipping marketplace where carriers can submit competing quotes or accept offers on shipments. uShip states that a new shipment is posted about every 30 seconds.
uShip offers an LTL freight category where shippers can compare LTL freight quotes from multiple carriers through its marketplace.
Best For
Marketplace-style quoting/accepting offers (including LTL freight quotes)
Features
- New shipments posted about every 30 seconds (per uShip)
- Carriers can quote (bid) or accept offers on listings
- LTL freight quote marketplace/category
- Secure/traceable payments flow (per uShip)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compare quotes from multiple providers in one marketplace (shipper perspective)
- Carriers can generate business by quoting or accepting offers
- uShip describes its payments as protected/traceable and held until delivery
Cons
- Quotes depend on provider responses and aren’t “guaranteed” until booked
- Fees apply at booking (shipper service charge) and to providers (transaction fees)
Pricing
- Free to join
- Shipping customers pay a service charge at checkout
- Service providers are charged transaction fees on booked/completed shipments (fee amounts vary)
123Loadboard
123Loadboard offers load search tools that include a load-size filter for Full (TL) and Partial (LTL).
Its “Rate Check” tool provides average pay-per-mile for a lane, including low/average/high rates and a historical chart. 123Loadboard also discloses Rate Check data sourcing showing average linehaul rates excluding fuel surcharges collected from 70–100 carriers, updated monthly.
Best For
Rate checking and broker credit/days-to-pay insights (plan-dependent)
Features
- Premium plan includes credit scores (including credit ratings and days-to-pay)
- Premium Plus includes Rate Check and Enhanced PC*Miler add-ons
- Rate Check: low/avg/high lane rates and historical charting (in some views)
- Partial (LTL) load size filter available in load search
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Rate Check is positioned for benchmarking and negotiation prep
- Premium adds broker credit/days-to-pay fields
- Supports “Partial (LTL)” filtering in load search
Cons
- Some key tools such as Rate Check require higher-tier plans or add-ons
- Public pricing page may be geo/permission restricted
Pricing
- Standard: $39/month
- Premium: $59/month (adds credit scores/days-to-pay)
- Premium Plus: $79/month (adds Rate Check and Enhanced PC*Miler add-ons)
Uber Freight
Uber Freight’s shipper self-serve portal supports quoting and booking LTL loads in minutes by getting instant quotes, comparing carrier pricing, and tendering a load within minutes. With Uber Freight, shippers can secure capacity up to 30 days in advance.
Best For
Fast LTL quotes/booking for shippers and upfront-pricing carrier workflow
Features
- Shipper portal: instant quotes, compare carrier pricing, tender within minutes
- Ability to secure capacity up to 30 days in advance
- Carrier side: upfront pricing and reduced negotiation
- Payment speed options: standard 30-day, faster options via eligibility or fee
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Upfront pricing model for carriers
- Documented payout policies and faster-payment options (eligibility- and/or fee-based)
- LTL quote and tender workflow described as “in minutes” for shippers
Cons
- Standard carrier payment speed is 30 days after valid POD upload & approval (unless faster option is selected/unlocked)
- Two-day payments can require eligibility or a 2.5% fee, depending on the option chosen
Pricing
- Shipper LTL pricing is quote-based: instant quotes shown in portal
- Carrier pay timing: standard 30 days after POD approval; optional two-day for fee, free two-day via Top Carrier eligibility, and same-day payouts via card eligibility
Trucker Path
Trucker Path’s TruckLoads load board page states carriers get free, unlimited access to 150,000+ loads daily via mobile or web.
Best For
Free load board access with an optional premium tier
Features
- Free load board: access to 150,000+ active loads
- Mobile and web access
- Premium tier includes real-time market rates and live load updates
- Premium tier offers days-to-pay and credit score fields
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free tier available
- Premium features include market rates, live updates, and credit/days-to-pay
Cons
- Some features are only available on the paid tier
- Pricing/feature details may vary if purchased through different channels (web vs. in-app)
Pricing
- Free Load Board: free
- Premium option: $49.99/month or $399.99 billed annually (with a seven-day free trial)
LTL vs. FTL Loads
LTL and FTL (full truckload) differ primarily in how the truck’s capacity is utilized. In LTL shipping, multiple shippers share space in the same truck, with each shipment typically being smaller and only taking up a portion of the available space. This makes LTL more cost-effective for shippers with smaller loads, though it usually means longer delivery times since the truck makes multiple stops.
FTL shipping means one shipper uses the entire truck’s capacity, regardless of whether they completely fill it. This option provides faster, direct delivery since the truck goes straight from pickup to a single destination. FTL is typically more expensive but offers better security and less risk of damage since the freight isn’t handled multiple times for different deliveries.
The Importance of LTL Load Boards
LTL load boards can efficiently connect shippers and brokers who have freight in need of transport with carriers that have open partial cargo capacity.
The automation, matching algorithms, and shipment details provided through quality LTL boards give brokers access to a broad network. These features allow brokers to secure reliable hauling coverage amidst an always-shifting roster of loads.
For carriers, leveraging the load visibility and constantly updated postings on boards provides enhanced shipping contract opportunities. Carriers can lower deadhead miles by booking backhauls, which is important because deadheading impacts the bottom line by creating expenses without generating income.
In an industry with tight margins, the aggregation, organization, and smart matching enabled by LTL boards supports smoother transactions.
Different Types of LTL Load Boards
LTL freight load boards include large freight sites, small niche sites, carrier portals, and more. All types connect shippers to carriers with available cargo space for partial truckloads.
- General freight marketplaces: Platforms like Truckstop that match all types of truckload freight, including robust LTL-specific options
- Niche LTL networks: Focused entirely on LTL with advanced optimization tools tailored for partial truckloads
- Logistics management suites: Broader transportation management systems that incorporate some embedded LTL freight load board functionalities alongside other multimodal capabilities
- Crowdsourced models: Websites enabling one-off manual listing and assignment of LTL shipments instead of ongoing matchmaking algorithms; uShip is an example
- Carrier-direct connections: Large LTL carriers host portals directly showcasing their own first-party freight capacity for digital assignment
FAQ
What is an LTL load board?
An LTL load board is a platform where freight brokers and shippers post less-than-truckload shipments and carriers search for available partial loads to fill open truck capacity. Unlike full truckload boards, LTL boards are built around matching multiple smaller shipments to a single truck, which requires more specific filtering tools and routing logic.
What does LTL mean in trucking?
LTL stands for less than truckload. It refers to shipments that don’t fill an entire truck, so freight from multiple shippers is combined on one trailer. LTL is typically used for shipments between 150 and 15,000 pounds that don’t require a dedicated truck. It’s a cost-effective option for smaller loads, though it usually involves longer transit times due to multiple pickups and deliveries along the route.
What is the weight limit for LTL shipping?
LTL shipments generally range from 150 to 15,000 pounds, though the exact limits vary by carrier. Freight under 150 pounds typically moves as a parcel shipment, while freight over 15,000 pounds, or freight that occupies more than about 6 to 8 linear feet of trailer space, usually makes more sense as a full truckload or volume LTL shipment. Always confirm weight and dimensional limits with the carrier before booking.
How do I find LTL loads on load boards?
Most load boards don’t have a dedicated LTL toggle, so the fastest approach is filtering for “Partial” loads, which surfaces LTL-friendly shipments on platforms like DAT and 123Loadboard. Some boards, including uShip and Uber Freight, have a specific LTL freight category you can search directly. Setting up load-match alerts for your preferred lanes and equipment type can help you catch newly posted LTL freight without manually refreshing searches.
What’s the difference between LTL and partial loads on a load board?
The terms are often used interchangeably on load boards, but they can carry slightly different meanings. LTL typically refers to freight moving through a carrier’s hub-and-spoke network alongside other shipments, while a partial load usually means one carrier hauls multiple shippers’ freight on a single truck without terminal transfers. On most load boards, searching “Partial” is the fastest way to surface LTL-friendly freight.
How do brokers post LTL loads on a load board?
Most load boards let brokers post loads directly through the platform’s dashboard by entering shipment details such as origin, destination, equipment type, weight, and rate. For LTL, you’ll typically select a partial or LTL load type during posting. Some platforms, like Truckstop’s Pro broker plan, also support “Book It Now” postings that allow carriers to accept loads instantly without negotiation.
What should I look for in an LTL load board as a broker?
Prioritize platforms with strong carrier networks, LTL or partial load filtering, and built-in rate tools so you can post competitively and fill loads faster. Carrier vetting features such as authority age filtering, credit scores, and days-to-pay data are worth paying for if you’re booking frequently and need to manage risk. Load-match alerts and “Book It Now” functionality can also reduce the manual work of monitoring and negotiating individual shipments.
Are there any free LTL load boards?
A few options offer free load board access or no-monthly-fee access. uShip is free to join, with fees charged at booking. Trucker Path offers a free tier with access to 150,000+ daily loads, though LTL-specific filtering and rate tools require a paid plan. Most platforms with strong LTL tools are subscription-based, and the features that matter most for LTL work are typically locked behind paid tiers.
How much do LTL load boards cost?
Pricing varies widely by platform and plan. Entry-level subscriptions on platforms like 123Loadboard start around $39/month, while DAT’s plans range from $54 to $329/month depending on the tools included. Truckstop’s broker plans start at $109/user/month. Some platforms, like uShip and Trucker Path, offer free tiers but charge for premium features or take transaction fees at booking.
Is LTL freight profitable?
LTL freight can be highly profitable when you optimize routes, maintain consistent customers, and manage costs effectively. Successful LTL carriers often earn profit margins between 10–20%. That said, LTL involves more complex logistics and handling than full truckload shipping, so careful planning and rate discipline matter more here than in most other freight modes.
