Vehicle shipping and auto transportation is a $10.6 billion industry in the United States alone, and every day, load boards connect the carriers in the industry with those needing goods moved from one location to another. Load boards serve as the means for carriers to bid on and accept assignments from brokers and direct customers. Carriers use load boards to keep their trailers full in an industry in which car carriers run empty for 40 percent of their miles. For brokers, they are the marketplace where shipper demand meets carrier capacity.
However, not all load boards are built the same. Some load boards are designed for vehicle haulers, and others are built for general freight truckers.
This guide covers load boards in the freight industry generally, while focusing on those targeting auto transport.
Dedicated Auto Transport Load Boards vs. General Freight Boards
Distinguishing load boards based on whether they are exclusive to vehicle hauling versus general freight is important. It affects who uses the load board, its auto transport volume, and the extent to which its tools are optimized for auto transport.
Dedicated auto transport boards are built around the specific requirements of shipping cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, and other vehicles. Their data fields, search filters, and documentation tools are geared toward auto transport: auction lots, VINs, open and enclosed carriers, inoperable vehicles, dealer moves. Load boards in this category include:
- Central Dispatch
- Super Dispatch
- Ship.Cars
- Auto Hauler Exchange
Also, the quality and relevance of the loads available on each car hauler load board are higher for a hauler, and their tools reflect the needs of car haulers.
Open general freight boards serve the broader freight industry, not auto transport exclusively. Auto transport carriers use these boards to backfill and diversify their load sourcing, but general freight boards treat auto transport is a filter option rather than their reason for being. Their data and documentation tools apply to standard freight, not vehicle transport.
Proprietary boards represent a third category. Free and auto-transport-relevant in some cases, they provide a consistent flow of loads from known sources. However, they are extensions of a single company's brokerage operation, not open markets, so a carrier relying on a proprietary board effectively chooses to work closely with a given broker rather than the broader marketplace.
Choosing one or the other can work for carriers, though most use a combination of boards. They often use Central Dispatch or Super Dispatch as their primary source of auto transport loads, and supplement with one or two general freight boards for backhauls. They may use a proprietary board if they qualify and their routes align.
Benefits of Dedicated Auto Transport Load Boards
Load Volume and Network Depth
The fundamental question about any load board is whether its number of listings can keep a carrier busy on the routes they run. A general freight board with high load counts is not helpful if only a small percentage involve car hauling. A dedicated car hauler load board with fewer listings is more valuable to a car hauler than a massive general freight board where auto transport is a footnote. Carriers also look for boards with higher volumes for the routes they run.
Matching and Search Tools
By design, auto transport boards include filters of importance to auto carriers, including:
- Vehicle operability
- Open versus enclosed equipment
- VIN-level details
- Pickup and delivery windows.
General freight boards are blunt instruments when compared to auto-dedicated boards.
Boards increasingly have AI-powered matching that recommends loads based on a carrier's route history, equipment, and preferences, reducing the amount of searching needed to find a relevant opportunity. Load alert notifications are a related feature that can help a carrier’s efficiency.
Rate Transparency and Market Data
Load boards can suffer from a lack of rate transparency, causing carriers to accept loads without knowing if the rate reflects current market conditions. Rate analytics help carriers prioritize loads.
Integrated Workflow Tools
Load matching is only the start of the process. Among other features, load board platforms can include:
- Communication and messaging tools
- Electronic BOLs and photo-based vehicle inspections
- Invoicing and payment follow-up help
Bundling these functions can be especially helpful for small fleets.
Vetting and Fraud Prevention
Vehicle transport is subject to fraud, so platforms that monitor FMCSA authority and insurance status on an ongoing basis keep bad actors out. Auto transport dedicated platforms serve smaller audiences and do more rigorous vetting than general freight boards.
Pricing Models
Load boards generally use one of three pricing models:
- Monthly/annual subscriptions with unlimited access at a fixed cost.
- Commission models based on a percentage of each completed transaction.
- Proprietary boards, tied to a single brokerage or shipper network. These are generally free, with access contingent on qualifying for and maintaining a relationship with that company.
Auto Transport Dedicated Load Boards
Although each of the following load boards is auto transport focused, not all car transport load boards are created equal. Below is a summary of major auto-focused load boards.
Central Dispatch
Price: ~$139.95/month for core, and ~$214.95/month for premium
The industry standard among dedicated auto transport load boards, Central Dispatch has 40,000 simultaneous listings and is the first stop for most brokers posting vehicle shipments. Its network breadth and entrenched position in the industry make it virtually mandatory for serious carriers and brokers.
Advantages:
- Top auto transport load volume
- Extensive geographic coverage
- Multi-point route search capability
- Industry-standard carrier verification
Disadvantages:
- Dated user interface
- Missing bidding/rate negotiation tools
- High subscription cost compared to newer competitors
- Prone to rate compression as carriers compete for the same loads
- Consumer-facing reviews are poor (not professional user satisfaction)
Super Dispatch/Super Loadboard
Price: Contact for current pricing (separate carrier and shipper plans)
The closest competitor to Central Dispatch among dedicated car transport load boards, Super Dispatch bundles its load board with a full carrier TMS including electronic BOLs, photo inspection documentation, FMCSA-monitored carrier vetting, AI-powered load matching, in-app messaging, and integrated payment processing via SuperPay.
Advantages:
- Modern interface with workflow integration
- AI-based load recommendations
- Continuous carrier monitoring
- Real-time GPS tracking
Disadvantages:
- Fewer listings than Central Dispatch
- Pricing requires a direct conversation
Ship.Cars LoadMate
Price: $69.99–$299.99/month (standard, by VIN volume)
Ship.Cars LoadMate prices by VIN volume rather than a flat fee, which makes it cost-effective for lower-volume shippers but expensive for high-volume operations. With 46,000+ carriers in its network and over 4 million vehicles delivered, it is a serious platform.
Advantages:
- Modern toolset including AI-based pricing
- Real-time tracking
- Digital alerts and BOLs
- 24/7 in-app communication
- API access on the PRO tier
Disadvantages:
- VIN-based pricing can escalate quickly for large shippers
- Carrier network, while large, is smaller than Central Dispatch's
Auto Hauler Exchange
Price: Transaction fee model (no subscription)
Auto Hauler Exchange sees itself as a direct marketplace that eliminates the broker. Shippers post loads, and vetted carriers bid or accept directly. AHX takes a transaction fee and claims 15–20% cost savings when compared to traditional broker-involved shipments.
Advantages:
- No broker markup
- Direct shipper-carrier relationships
- Rigorous carrier vetting with continuous FMCSA monitoring
- Fraud prevention tools
- Real-time pricing data
Disadvantages:
- VIN-based pricing can escalate quickly
- Carrier network is smaller than Central Dispatch's
1Dispatch
Price: Free (qualification required)
1Dispatch is a proprietary tool providing access to Ready Logistics' vehicle transport network. It is not an open market but a carrier portal for one large brokerage.
Advantages:
- Fast payment terms and damage claims protection
- Consistent load quality
Disadvantages:
- Time-intensive application process geared toward established haulers
- Load availability depends on Ready Logistics' shipper contracts
- Uneven geographic coverage outside of high-volume lanes
Carrier by ACV
Price: Free
Dedicated: Yes (proprietary — ACV Auctions)
Another proprietary platform, Carrier by ACV connects vehicle haulers to loads sourced from ACV Auctions, a leading digital wholesale auction platform.
Advantages:
- Consistent auction-sourced volume
- Photo-based BOL process
- Quick pay options
- Real-time updates
Disadvantages:
- Load availability limited to ACV's auction activity
- App receives mixed reviews
- Limited premium long-haul loads
CarShipIO
Price: Starts at $19/month, bundles at $39–$129/month
An auto transportation management system with a load board. It works for those who want dispatch, expense tracking, CRM, and load access in one platform.
Advantages:
- QuickBooks integration
- Vehicle-level profit analysis
- 24/7 support
- Customizable notifications
Disadvantages:
- Broker network is smaller than Central Dispatch or Super Dispatch
- Mixed third-party user ratings
- Mobile app can be slow.
General Freight Load Boards
We’ll cover the general freight boards in less detail than the dedicated auto transport boards since they tend to have fewer auto transport-friendly tools and loads. As mentioned earlier, however, auto transport carriers generally use these load boards as well.
uShip
Price: Commission per booking (no subscription)
uShip is a consumer-facing bidding marketplace where carriers compete for shipment jobs posted by private individuals and businesses. It handles significant auto transport volume.
Advantages:
- Carriers do not need to meet DOT/MC requirements
- Reaches consumer market
Disadvantages:
- Lacks auto-transport-specific tools
- Weaker vetting
- Price competition can be intense
- Platform serves many freight types without specialization
DAT
Price: $49–$299/month
North America's largest general freight load board, with over 500,000 daily listings.
Advantages:
- Highest general freight volume
- Industry-leading broker credit scoring (RateView)
- Routing and fuel tool
- Acquiring Convoy platform to expand automated matching
Disadvantages:
- Most expensive mainstream board
- Dated interface
- Auto transport is a minor subset of listings
- No vehicle-specific tools
Truckstop.com
Price: $39–$149/month
A general freight board with 200,000 active listings and a modern interface.
Advantages:
- Book-it-Now
- Integrated fuel and route tools
- Competitive broker vetting
- Modern user experience
Disadvantages:
- Fewer listings than DAT
- Some brokers post only on DAT
123Loadboard
Price: $35–$79/month
A budget-friendly, easy-to-use general freight board.
Advantages:
- Broker credit scores
- Rate Check tool
- 250,000+ daily loads
Disadvantages:
- Thinner rate analysis tools than DAT
- Auto transport loads are a small fraction of volume
- Fewer total listings than top competitors
Direct Freight
Price: Free–$80/month
A low-profile general freight board with a free entry tier.
Advantages:
- Custom search filters and alerts
- Weather notifications
- Document storage
- Broker credit information
Disadvantages:
- Load count information varies widely by source
- Best as a supplemental board rather than primary source
Trucker Path
Price: Free–$90/month
Primarily a trucking community app with a load board component. Its core differentiator is crowdsourced data on truck stops, fuel prices, and parking.
Advantages:
- 150,000+ daily loads
- Rate Check tools
- Community knowledge for drivers
Disadvantages:
- Load quality and volume on the free tier lags paid boards
- No auto transport specialization
- Truck stop review accuracy is inconsistent
TQL Carrier
Price: Free
TQL Carrier is the carrier portal for one of the largest freight brokerages in the U.S., offering access to TQL's own load network across general freight categories.
Advantages:
- Access to specialized load types (hazmat, DoD)
- Ryder partnership discounts
- Instant booking
Disadvantages:
- Not relevant to auto transport
- Load availability depends on TQL's brokerage contracts
- No open-market price discovery
The Bottom Line
A single load board cannot provide everything for every auto transport professional. Most use a mix of boards, including one or more of the dominant auto-dedicated platforms.
Proprietary boards act as supplements for qualifying carriers, not replacements for open-market access. General freight boards also supplement load sources but are not auto transport hubs.
Many carriers run Central Dispatch or a competitor as their primary board alongside a general freight board and a proprietary relationship to provide the depth and flexibility they need in acquiring loads.
Connect With Auto-Hauling Agents You Can Trust
While load boards connect the pieces in the auto transport industry puzzle, carriers want to connect with brokers they can count on. At Nexus Auto Transport, we make car shipping stress-free for customers and carriers alike.
If you're a carrier interested in joining our network, contact us today. We'd love to have drivers like you on our team.
Top Auto Transport Load Boards Overview
Load Board Platform |
Pricing Tier |
Primary Best Feature |
Factoring Integration |
Carrier Approval Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Central Dispatch | $139.95–$214.95/mo | Largest dedicated auto transport network | No | Medium |
Super Dispatch | Contact for pricing | Integrated TMS, eBOL, and other tools | Yes, SuperPay | Medium |
Ship.Cars LoadMate | $69.99–$299.99/mo | VIN-based scalable pricing | Limited | Low to medium |
Auto Hauler Exchange | Transaction fee per shipment | Broker-free direct marketplace | No | High |
1Dispatch | Free | Fast payment + damage claims protection | No | High |
Carrier by ACV | Free | Consistent auction-sourced loads | No, ACV pays directly | Medium |
CarShipIO | $19–$129/mo (modular) | All-in-one TMS + integrated load board | No | Low |
uShip | Commission per booking | No upfront cost; bidding marketplace | No | Low |
DAT | $49–$299/mo (three tiers) | Largest general freight volume | Yes, multiple | |
Truckstop.com | $39–$149/mo | Book-it-Now + modern interface | Yes | Low |
123Loadboard | $35–$79/mo | Most affordable paid board | Yes | Low |
Direct Freight | Free to $80/mo | Low-cost entry | Limited | Low |
Trucker Path | Free to $90/mo | Free base tier + crowdsource info | No | Low |
TQL Carrier | Free | Specialized loads (hazmat, DoD, drayage) | No, TQL pays directly | Medium |
FAQs
Do I need multiple load board subscriptions to maintain a steady schedule?
Generally, yes. Relying solely on Central Dispatch or Super Dispatch can lead to situations in which you run empty on backhauls or sit idle waiting for a load. Having multiple subscriptions allows for broader access, including hauling non-automotive goods on the return route.
How can new carriers with a fresh USDOT number get approved by top brokers?
Brokers generally avoid carriers with fresh USDOT numbers due to their high risk and potential for fraud, leading to a Catch-22: you need loads to build ratings, but you need ratings to get loads.
The best way to build ratings is to take on loads from smaller brokers and customers, and more challenging runs, and execute them flawlessly to begin building a ratings profile. Experienced drivers who recently became independent often rely on previous working relationships to obtain loads.
What is the standard procedure if a freight broker defaults on a payment?
Licensed freight brokers in the U.S. must maintain either a BMC-84 surety bond or a BMC-85 trust fund in the amount of $75,000. This requirement protects carriers from broker non-payment. When a broker has not paid, the first step is a formal demand letter sent at 15 to 30 days past due. If the demand letter produces no payment by 45 to 60 days, the next step is a bond claim, which can take 30 to 90 days to resolve. Unfortunately, the $75,000 fund covers all carriers, and brokers who default often leave multiple carriers unpaid.
Carriers also have the option to pursue the shipper for payment since the broker acted as their agent for the transaction,
Are there hidden fees when using factoring services directly integrated into load boards?
Yes. The advertised rate, often a flat percentage of invoice value, is not the only charge. Carriers may also pay or absorb the costs of:
- Money transfer and disbursement fees
- Invoice and processing fees
- Reserve holdbacks
- Monthly minimum volume requirements and penalties
- Early termination penalties
- Recourse liability (for broker non-payment to factors)
- Lockbox fees
- Fuel card transaction fees
Does joining the Nexus Auto Transport carrier network require an exclusive contract?
No. Nexus Auto Transport does not require an exclusive contract. Their Terms and Conditions describe carriers as "independent business enterprises," the standard non-exclusive, independent contractor framing in the brokerage industry.
