Higher-Paying Freight Rates

How a Load Board Can Lead to Higher-Paying Freight Rates


All truckers, whether you are a company driver, an owner-operator, or a one-man trucking company, want to haul high-paying loads. There is always a fixed eye on freight rates and, naturally, the higher the better. But before you go searching for higher-paying freight, consider these points:

  • Freight rates change depending on the economy, fuel prices, supply and demand, and the season
  • Your operating expenses are stable in comparison to cargo rates
  • Know your own cost-per-mile requirements so that you make a profit on the road
  • Higher freight rates are subjective because what you consider to be high might not be for the person next to you on the road. Don’t lose sight of accounting basics, revenue, and making a profit.

Not All High-Paying Loads Are the Same

Beyond those basics, there is always a chance that if a load pays more it might require more training, experience, and insurance such as hauling motor vehicles, livestock, or hazardous materials. That could mean that you need to spend more money to be able to haul it. In that case, maybe that higher-paying load isn’t the right one for you.

Some higher-paying freight rates could require specific equipment. For instance, flatbed trailers are often awarded higher-paying freight loads. This shipping type might be a good fit for a trucking company with experienced truck drivers that enjoy a challenge and are willing to do a little extra work to get paid more, like help with loading/unloading, and tarping certain loads.

NextLOAD Could Help You Find Dedicated Lanes

Which brings us back to the obvious reality – all truckers want to haul high-paying loads. Dedicated lanes and Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) hauls are always in demand because they are considered higher-paying freight rates and they are also known to be consistent freight. Keep in mind, however, that the market for dedicated lanes and LTL loads is super competitive. It can be hard to find those loads and then hard to keep them.

But a load board such as NextLOAD.com is a great place to find companies that need freight hauled for those dedicated lanes and LTL loads, not to mention higher-paying freight rates. Finding a solid, high-paying load, hauling that load, and establishing that trusted relationship with a broker or shipper means you could pave yourself a dedicated lane.

Think of NextLOAD.com as your door to higher-paying freight rates and your potential road to dedicated lanes.


Are you ready to book the highest-paying truckloads that could lead to dedicated lanes? Become a NextLOAD.com user today and enjoy thousands of loads right at your fingertips.

Mario Tarradell is a Bilingual Communications Specialist at Apex Capital and for NextLOAD. He comes to Apex after a long career writing for daily newspapers. Mario enjoys telling stories about truckers, especially about the many aspects of the trucking industry that have the greatest impact on them personally and professionally. Mario believes that truckers are our lifelines, so he always wants to pay respect to the hard-working folks behind the wheel.