What is DAT Load Board?
DAT One is the largest digital freight marketplace in North America, processing over 500 million load posts every year. Whether you are an owner-operator searching for your next spot market load or a freight broker looking for available capacity, DAT is the platform where most of America's freight gets matched.
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O TruckingWhat is DAT Load Board? Complete Guide for Carriers
What is DAT Load Board?
DAT (formerly Dial-A-Truck) is the largest digital freight marketplace in North America. Rebranded as DAT One, the platform connects carriers, brokers, and shippers through real-time load board matching, rate analytics, and freight intelligence tools. With over 500 million loads posted annually, DAT handles more freight volume than any other platform in the industry.
For carriers, DAT is the primary tool for finding available freight on the spot market. You search by origin, destination, equipment type, and minimum rate. For brokers, DAT is where they post loads and search for available trucks. The platform serves as the central nervous system of the American freight market — when spot rates move, the first place you see it is DAT.
Quick Facts: DAT Load Board
Full Name
DAT One (DAT Freight & Analytics)
Founded
1978 as Dial-A-Truck
Coverage
US, Canada, Mexico cross-border
Key Tool
RateView (industry-standard rate data)
History: From Dial-A-Truck to DAT One
DAT started in 1978 as Dial-A-Truck, a truck stop bulletin board system where drivers could call in to find loads. It was one of the first attempts to organize freight matching beyond word-of-mouth and paper postings at truck stops. The concept was simple: brokers called in loads, truckers called in their availability, and operators at a call center matched them.
As the internet emerged in the 1990s, DAT migrated to a web-based platform. By the 2000s, it had become the dominant online load board. In 2019, DAT consolidated its products under the DAT One brand — combining load searching, rate analytics, broker tools, and carrier management into a single platform. Today, DAT is owned by Roper Technologies and processes more freight data than any other platform in transportation.
The evolution from phone-based matching to AI-driven load recommendations reflects how fundamentally the freight industry has changed. But DAT's core value proposition has remained the same for nearly 50 years: connecting available trucks with available freight as efficiently as possible.
DAT by the Numbers
How DAT Load Board Works
DAT operates as a two-sided marketplace. Brokers and shippers post available loads with details (origin, destination, equipment, rate, weight, dates). Carriers search those loads and contact brokers to negotiate and book freight. Here is the typical workflow:
1. Search for Loads
Enter your current location (or where you want to pick up), destination preference, and equipment type. DAT returns matching loads sorted by rate, distance, age of posting, and broker rating. You can filter by minimum rate per mile, maximum deadhead, weight, and load type.
2. Check Rate Data
Use RateView to see if the posted rate is above, at, or below the market average for that lane. RateView shows you the spot rate range, contract rate, 15-day and 30-day trends, and historical comparisons — so you know exactly where the market sits before calling.
3. Verify the Broker
DAT shows broker credit scores (days-to-pay average), authority status, and reviews from other carriers. Check these before calling — a broker with a 45-day average pay time is very different from one that pays in 15 days. Avoid brokers with no payment history or poor reviews.
4. Negotiate and Book
Contact the broker by phone or through DAT's messaging system. Negotiate the rate using your RateView data as leverage. Once agreed, the broker sends a rate confirmation for you to sign. The load is booked.
DAT Pricing Plans (2026)
DAT One offers tiered pricing based on the features you need. Every plan includes load searching, but the analytics and advanced features increase with each tier:
| Plan | Price/Month | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAT One Select | ~$45/mo | Load search, basic filtering, broker contact info | New carriers, light users |
| DAT One Professional | ~$99-$149/mo | RateView analytics, advanced filters, broker credit scores, lane rate history | Active owner-operators, small fleets |
| DAT One Premium | ~$199/mo | Full RateView, unlimited searches, load alerts, market analytics, multi-truck management | Fleets, dispatchers, power users |
Annual subscriptions typically save 10-20% over monthly billing. DAT frequently runs promotions for new subscribers, especially during slower freight months. For a detailed breakdown of every plan and which one makes sense for your operation, see our DAT pricing plans guide.
Start with Professional, Not Select
DAT RateView: The Industry Standard for Rate Data
RateView is DAT's rate analytics engine and it is the single most valuable tool in the DAT ecosystem. It provides real-time and historical rate data for any lane (origin-destination pair) by equipment type, and it is the data source most brokers and carriers reference when negotiating rates.
When you search a lane in RateView, you see the average spot rate, the rate range (low to high), the contract rate benchmark, 15-day and 30-day trend lines, volume indicators, and the truck-to-load ratio. This data gives you an objective basis for every rate negotiation — instead of guessing whether $2.50/mile is fair for Dallas to Atlanta, you can see that the market average is $2.65 and negotiate accordingly.
What RateView Shows You
Spot Rate Average — The current average rate per mile for a specific lane and equipment type, updated with the latest load data.
Rate Range — Low-end and high-end rates for the lane, showing the full spectrum of what brokers are paying.
Contract Rates — The average contract rate for the same lane, useful for comparing spot vs. long-term pricing.
Trend Lines — 15-day and 30-day rate trends showing whether rates are rising, falling, or stable.
Truck-to-Load Ratio — The number of available trucks versus available loads, indicating market tightness.
For the complete guide to using RateView effectively — including how to read rate charts, compare lanes, and use the data in negotiations — see our DAT RateView guide.
Key DAT Features for Carriers
Beyond basic load searching, DAT One includes several features designed specifically for carriers:
Load Alerts
Set up automatic notifications for loads matching your criteria. Get alerts by push notification, email, or SMS when new loads post on your preferred lanes.
Broker Credit Scores
See a broker's average days-to-pay, payment reliability, and carrier reviews before calling. Avoid slow-pay and no-pay brokers.
Mobile App
Full-featured mobile app for iOS and Android. Search loads, check rates, contact brokers, and manage your truck postings from the cab.
Post Your Truck
Post your available truck with location, equipment type, and preferred destination. Brokers searching for capacity will find you and call with loads.
Hot Market Maps
Visual heat maps showing where freight demand is highest and where truck capacity is tight. Use these to plan your next move strategically.
Trip Planning
Plan multi-stop trips by chaining loads together. See available backhaul freight from your destination before accepting the head-haul load.
DAT vs Truckstop: Quick Comparison
DAT and Truckstop.com are the two dominant freight marketplaces. Here is how they compare at a high level:
| Feature | DAT One | Truckstop |
|---|---|---|
| Load Volume | 500M+ annually (largest) | Second-largest |
| Rate Analytics | RateView (industry standard) | Rate Insights |
| Instant Booking | Limited | Book It Now |
| Starting Price | ~$45/month | ~$39/month |
| Flatbed/Specialized | Good | Strong |
Many successful carriers use both platforms. DAT provides superior load volume and rate data; Truckstop offers instant booking and stronger specialized freight markets. For the full comparison, see our DAT vs Truckstop detailed guide.
Tips for Maximizing Your DAT Results
Getting the most from DAT requires more than just logging in and searching for loads. Here are the strategies that experienced carriers use:
Always post your truck — Even when you are actively searching, post your available truck. Brokers searching for capacity will call you with loads that may not be posted on the board yet.
Check backhaul before accepting — Before booking a head-haul load, check DAT for available freight from the destination. A great rate to a dead market costs you more in deadhead miles than a slightly lower rate to a freight-rich area.
Use RateView before every call — Know the market rate before calling a broker. If a load is posted at $2.00/mile and RateView shows the lane averaging $2.50, you have the data to negotiate up.
Set up load alerts for your best lanes — If you regularly run specific corridors, set alerts so you are notified immediately when matching loads post. First call on a fresh load often gets the best rate.
Build broker relationships through DAT — When you find reliable brokers through DAT, build direct relationships. Consistent performance leads to dedicated freight that pays better than spot market loads.
For more advanced strategies and step-by-step walkthroughs, see our DAT tips to maximize earnings guide.
Watch for Load Scams on Any Board
How Our Team Uses DAT Daily
DAT is one of the primary tools in our dispatch operation. Here is how we use it to find better-paying loads for the carriers we serve:
Rate verification on every load
Before we book any load, we pull the RateView data for that lane. If a broker is posting below the market average, we negotiate up using the data as leverage. If the market is soft, we know the realistic range and advise the carrier accordingly. No guessing, no leaving money on the table.
Broker vetting before booking
We check every broker's DAT credit score, days-to-pay history, and carrier reviews before booking a load. A $3.00/mile load from a broker who takes 60 days to pay (or does not pay at all) is worse than a $2.50 load from a broker who pays in 15 days. We protect our carriers from payment risk.
Backhaul planning and trip optimization
We use DAT's search and hot market maps to plan round trips. Before accepting a head-haul load, we check freight availability from the destination. Our goal is minimizing deadhead miles and keeping the carrier's wheels turning on paid miles.
DAT Load Board Guide Collection
How to Use DAT Load Board
Step-by-step setup and search guide
DAT Pricing Plans
Compare plans and find the right fit
DAT vs Truckstop
Side-by-side platform comparison
DAT Tips: Maximize Earnings
Advanced strategies for higher rates
DAT RateView Guide
Master rate analytics and data
DAT for Box Trucks
Finding box truck and straight truck loads
DAT Load Board FAQ
Common questions about DAT One freight marketplace
What is DAT load board and how does it work?
DAT (originally Dial-A-Truck, now DAT One) is the largest digital freight marketplace in North America. It connects carriers looking for freight with brokers and shippers posting loads. Carriers search available loads by origin, destination, equipment type, and rate. Brokers post loads and search for available trucks. DAT processes over 500 million load posts annually and provides rate analytics through its RateView tool.
How much does DAT load board cost per month?
DAT One pricing ranges from $45 to $199 per month depending on the plan. DAT One Select starts around $45/month with basic load searching. DAT One Professional runs $99-$149/month with RateView analytics and advanced filtering. DAT One Premium at $199/month includes full rate data, unlimited searches, and broker credit scores. Annual subscriptions typically save 10-20% over monthly billing.
Is DAT load board better than Truckstop?
DAT has the largest load volume in North America with 500M+ posts annually, making it the go-to platform for most carriers. Truckstop.com is the second-largest with strong flatbed and specialized markets and its Book It Now instant booking feature. Many successful carriers subscribe to both platforms. DAT generally offers more loads and better rate analytics through RateView, while Truckstop excels in specialized freight markets and instant booking.
Can I use DAT load board with a box truck?
Yes. DAT One includes load postings for box trucks, straight trucks, and sprinter vans. You can filter searches by equipment type including box truck, straight truck, and cargo van. Box truck loads on DAT tend to be shorter-haul, higher-rate-per-mile shipments in the $2.50-$4.00/mile range. Many Amazon Relay and last-mile loads also appear on DAT.
What is DAT RateView and is it worth it?
DAT RateView is a rate analytics tool built into DAT One Professional and Premium plans. It provides real-time and historical rate data for any lane (origin-destination pair) by equipment type. You can see average spot rates, contract rates, rate trends over time, and rate-per-mile breakdowns. RateView is widely considered the industry standard for freight rate data and is essential for rate negotiations with brokers.
Do I need MC authority to use DAT load board?
You need either MC authority or a valid USDOT number with active operating authority to create a carrier account on DAT. Brokers verify your authority status before you can contact them about loads. New carriers with authority less than 90 days old may face some restrictions from individual brokers but can still access the DAT platform and search loads.
Need Help Finding Loads on DAT?
Our dispatch team uses DAT daily to find high-paying loads for the carriers we serve. We handle the searching, rate negotiation, and broker vetting so you can focus on driving.