Power-only loads connect carriers with preloaded trailers that need a tractor and driver — no trailer ownership required. Power-only load boards make those connections faster by listing verified opportunities and enabling direct communication with shippers and brokers. If you want more control over your schedule and better asset utilization, the right board can reduce deadhead miles, streamline paperwork, and improve cash flow.
Best Power Only Load Boards
The best power-only load boards help owner-operators and fleets connect with the right freight fast. Explore the top options and what they offer.
Truckstop: Best for In-App Tools
All of the best power-only load boards offer mobile tools, but Truckstop stands out with decision aids and workflow features that help you stay productive on and off the road.
Special Features
- Decision tools (truck-to-load ratio; truck activity by origin/destination)
- Book loads instantly
- Fuel Desk (simple routing, rates, IFTA)
- Credit Stop Broker
- Load comparison
Pros & Cons
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Real-time updates
- Rate insights
- Best-paying loads search
- Mobile app available
Cons
- Per-user plan structure can add costs for larger teams
- Some features lack robust support
uShip: Best for Setting Your Own Rate
uShip’s pay-as-you-go marketplace lets you set your own rates and negotiate directly with shippers. Real-time notifications and a streamlined mobile app help you grab the right loads on your schedule.
Special Features
- Filter loads by shipment type, locations, and dates
- Save filters and get real-time notifications
- “Along Your Route” tool to avoid deadhead and backhauls
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Set your own rates
- Thousands of loads daily
- Find shipments that match your equipment
- Streamlined mobile app
Cons
- Customer service can be inconsistent
- Market bidding may not yield optimal pricing
Uber Freight: Best for Maximizing Drive Time
With Powerloop and a slick booking experience, Uber Freight makes it simple to find and book power-only loads fast, helping carriers of any size reduce downtime and keep wheels turning.
Special Features
- Custom alerts for ideal loads
- Post Truck feature so you never miss a match
- Uber Freight Plus rewards program
- Smart load suggestions
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Clear, upfront pricing and availability
- 24/7 customer support
- Facility ratings
- Mobile app available
Cons
- Issue resolution can take time
- Occasional app errors
What Is a Power-Only Load Board?
A power-only load is when a carrier supplies the tractor and driver to haul another company’s trailer. On a power-only load board, shippers and brokers post these loads, and carriers search and book the lanes that fit their equipment and hours. Unlike general boards, power-only boards emphasize trailer types and hookup requirements (for example, dry van, reefer, flatbed, drop-and-hook, or live-load), so you can target work that matches your operating authority and experience.
Because these boards function as online marketplaces, they typically include tools to verify company profiles, view lane history, and message dispatchers directly. Many also integrate with e-docs and payment services so you can keep everything in one place instead of juggling multiple apps.
How Does a Power-Only Load Board Work?
Both shippers (or their brokers) and carriers create accounts. Shippers post the lane details — pickup and delivery points, dates, trailer type, and special requirements — while carriers search and filter for loads by trailer type, distance, rate, and timing. Once you find a match, you can request the load, negotiate the rate, and confirm the dispatch inside the platform or by contacting the poster.
Here are the core steps most carriers follow:
- Set up your profile: Complete your company details, authority, insurance, and preferred trailer hookups. A complete profile speeds approvals and minimizes back-and-forth.
- Filter for the right freight: Use filters for power-only loads, trailer type (e.g., van, reefer, flatbed), pickup radius, and earliest/latest times. Saved searches can alert you the moment a matching load appears.
- Vet the counterparty: Review ratings, on-time performance notes, and payment averages before you accept. Reputable load posters make payment terms and detention policies clear.
- Book and confirm: Message to clarify accessorials (detention, layover, driver assist) and confirm any yard rules for drop lots. Get all terms in writing before rolling.
- Close out quickly: Upload BOLs and PODs as soon as the trailer is dropped. Fast documentation is the easiest way to reduce days to pay.
Minimize Downtime and Maximize Your Earnings
Power-only freight can keep your wheels turning when your own trailer isn’t available or when you want the speed of drop-and-hook turns. With the right board, you can tighten dwell time, stack compatible loads, and cover seasonal surges without buying more equipment.
Practical ways to improve utilization with power-only freight:
- Prioritize drop-and-hook lanes: Yard-ready trailers and flexible pickup times often mean less waiting and more revenue miles in a day. Ask whether the trailer is staged and confirm yard hours.
- Build mini-networks: Use the board to string together outbound and return loads within your preferred region. Consistent circles reduce deadhead and make week-to-week revenue more predictable.
- Watch accessorials and dwell: Long gate lines or live-load appointments can burn hours. Negotiate detention upfront and pass on chronic slowdowns that wreck your clock.
- Leverage quick pay wisely: If the board offers built-in quick pay or factoring, compare fees against your cost of capital. Faster cash flow can be worth it during fuel spikes or repair weeks.
When you vet loads carefully and keep documentation tight, power-only work can smooth out slow periods and help you scale — particularly if you prefer regional lanes and predictable drop lots.
How to Choose the Best Power-Only Load Board
No two operations are identical, so the “best” board is the one that consistently feeds your lanes, equipment, and payment needs. Evaluate each platform’s network quality, the depth of power-only listings, and how well its tools fit your day-to-day.
Key features to evaluate before you subscribe:
- Search depth and filters: Ensure you can filter specifically for power-only, trailer type, hookup requirements, pickup radius, and time windows. Saved searches and real-time alerts are must-haves.
- Carrier and shipper vetting: Look for verified profiles, safety data, and payment histories. Transparent track records reduce risk and speed negotiations.
- Rates and market signals: Historical lane averages and current bid ranges help you price confidently and avoid undercutting during soft markets.
- Workflow tools: Document upload, e-sign BOLs, mobile POD capture, and invoice submission cut admin time so you can focus on driving.
- Integrated payments: Built-in quick pay or payout partners can tighten cash cycles. Review fees, funding times, and fraud protections before you opt in.
- Support and dispute handling: Responsive support matters when access codes fail or yard rules change. Boards that mediate disputes can save you hours.
FAQ
Which load board pays the most?
There isn’t a single top-paying board across markets because rates swing with seasonality, region, and equipment demand. What matters most is the density of power-only postings in your lanes and how quickly you can match into backhauls. Use each board’s rate tools to compare recent payouts, then negotiate based on fuel, dwell risk, and accessorials. Many carriers keep profiles on multiple boards to catch surges and avoid gaps. Over time, building relationships with reliable posters will do more for your CPM than chasing one-off “highest-paying” listings.
What does “power-only” mean on load boards?
“Power-only” indicates the shipper or broker provides the trailer, and the carrier supplies the tractor and driver. You’ll hook to their preloaded trailer, follow any yard or seal requirements, and return equipment as directed. These loads can be drop-and-hook or live-load depending on the facility. Make sure your insurance, authority, and driver training align with the trailer type and any special procedures before you accept.
Are there power-only load boards?
Yes. Many major platforms include dedicated power-only filters and a steady flow of listings, and some niche boards focus heavily on drop-and-hook freight. When comparing options, review how many power-only posts appear in your target lanes each day and whether the board shows lane rates and payment histories. A short trial period can help you confirm real-world volume before you commit long term.
