How to Find Power Only Loads
Finding consistent, well-paying power only loads requires knowing where to look and how to build relationships with the right brokers and shippers. This guide covers every major source of power-only freight — from load boards to Amazon Relay to direct shipper contracts — so you can build a reliable pipeline.
DAT
#1 Load Board
Amazon
Largest PO Shipper
5+
Major PO Sources
Growing
PO Load Volume
O Trucking Editorial Team
Trucking Industry Experts
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Dispatch Team
5+ years finding and booking power-only loads across DAT, Truckstop, Amazon Relay, and direct broker relationships
This article was written by the O Trucking editorial team with 9+ years of combined trucking industry experience. Learn more about us.
O TruckingHow to Find Power Only Loads: Load Boards, Brokers & Direct Freight (2026)
Load Boards for Power Only Freight
Load boards are the most accessible source of power-only loads. Both major platforms — DAT and Truckstop — support power-only equipment type filtering, making it easy to find loads specifically posted for carriers without trailers.
DAT Load Board
The largest load board in the US with thousands of power-only postings daily. To find power-only loads on DAT: navigate to the load search, set the equipment type to “Power Only” (or “PO”), enter your origin and destination, and search. You can save this search and set up email or push alerts for new postings. DAT Power ($49/mo) includes basic load search; DAT One ($149/mo) includes rate analytics and market data. See our DAT guide for a full walkthrough.
Truckstop.com Load Board
Another major load board with strong power-only inventory. Filter by “Power Only” equipment type. Truckstop often shows different loads from different brokers than DAT, so running both maximizes your options. Plans start at $39/month for basic access. The Book It Now feature lets you instantly accept some loads without calling the broker. See our Truckstop guide.
Other Load Board Options
123Loadboard, Flexport, and Direct Freight are additional sources. While they have smaller power-only inventory than DAT or Truckstop, they occasionally have exclusive loads not posted elsewhere. Many are free or low-cost, so there is little downside to checking them when your primary boards come up short.
Use Both DAT and Truckstop for Maximum Coverage
Amazon Relay: The Largest Power Only Source
Amazon Relay is one of the single biggest sources of power-only freight in the United States. Amazon owns and operates one of the largest trailer fleets in the country, and they consistently need carriers to provide tractors and drivers to move those trailers between fulfillment centers, sortation facilities, and delivery stations.
How it works — You sign up for Amazon Relay, get approved, and then see available loads on the Relay app. Many Amazon loads are power-only: you hook up to an Amazon trailer at one facility, deliver it to another, and drop it. No waiting for loading/unloading in most cases (drop-and-hook).
Requirements — Active MC authority, proper insurance (including cargo), clean safety record, ELD compliance, and completion of Amazon's onboarding process. Amazon has a performance score system that affects load access — see our Amazon Relay performance score guide.
Advantages — High volume, consistent loads, fast payment (typically 7-14 days), drop-and-hook efficiency, no broker credit risk (Amazon always pays). See our Amazon Relay requirements guide for full details.
Limitations — Rates can be lower than spot market during peak freight periods. Amazon's performance system penalizes late arrivals and cancellations strictly. Limited rate negotiation — you accept posted rates.
Amazon Relay Volume Spikes During Prime Day and Holidays
Building Broker Relationships for Power Only
Load boards are a starting point, but the best power-only carriers build direct relationships with brokers who handle consistent power-only volume. Direct relationships often mean better rates, priority on new loads, and less time searching on load boards.
Large Brokerages with Power Only Desks
Coyote Logistics, Echo Global Logistics, XPO Logistics, C.H. Robinson, and TQL all handle significant power-only volume. Many have dedicated power-only teams or desks. Contact their carrier onboarding departments and specify that you run power only — they will connect you with the right team.
Trailer Leasing Companies
Companies like XTRA Lease, Stoughton, and Great Dane regularly need carriers for trailer repositioning. Contact their logistics or fleet management departments. These loads are often shorter hauls (empty repositioning) but can be consistent and easy money.
How to Build the Relationship
Start by hauling a few loads from the broker via load board. Deliver on time, communicate well, submit paperwork quickly. After 3-5 successful loads, ask for the broker's direct line. Request to be their first call for power-only loads on your preferred lanes. Reliability builds trust, which leads to better rates and first access to new loads.
Direct Shipper Contracts
The highest-paying, most consistent power-only freight often comes from direct shipper relationships. Several major shippers maintain their own trailer fleets and contract directly with carriers:
- Amazon — Largest power-only shipper. Access through Amazon Relay platform.
- Walmart — Maintains a massive trailer fleet. Power-only opportunities through Walmart Transportation.
- Target — Growing trailer fleet with power-only needs between distribution centers.
- Home Depot / Lowe's — Seasonal power-only demand, especially for building materials distribution.
- USPS / UPS / FedEx — Postal and package carriers use power-only for linehaul between hubs.
- Food distributors — Sysco, US Foods, and regional food distributors often need reefer power-only carriers.
Landing direct shipper contracts usually requires a clean safety record, proper insurance, reliable equipment, and sometimes a minimum number of trucks. Start with broker relationships and work toward direct contracts as you build your reputation and capacity.
Using a Dispatch Service for Power Only
A dispatch service can be particularly valuable for power-only carriers because finding the next load after dropping a trailer requires fast, efficient searching — exactly what a good dispatcher does while you are driving.
They search while you drive — While you are delivering the current load, your dispatcher is already finding the next power-only pickup near your destination. This eliminates downtime between loads.
Broker network access — Experienced dispatch services have existing relationships with brokers who post power-only freight. These relationships often translate into better rates and first access to new loads.
Rate negotiation — Dispatchers negotiate rates on every load. Their experience and volume-based relationships often secure higher rates than individual carriers can get on their own. See our dispatch pricing guide.
Power Only Search Strategy
Set Up Saved Searches on Multiple Platforms
Create saved searches on DAT, Truckstop, and any other boards you use. Filter by “Power Only” equipment type and your preferred origin/destination areas. Enable email and push notifications for new matches.
Search Early and Search Broadly
Start searching for your next load 24-48 hours before you need it. Search a wider radius than your exact drop location — 50-100 miles in each direction significantly increases available loads. A 60-mile deadhead to a well-paying power-only load often beats waiting for one at your exact location.
Build a Broker Rotation
Develop relationships with 5-10 brokers who regularly post power-only freight on your lanes. Call them directly when you need a load — do not wait for load board postings. Many loads get booked before they ever hit the board.
Target High-Volume Power Only Corridors
Lanes between Amazon fulfillment centers, major retail distribution centers, and intermodal yards have the highest power-only volume. Focus your operations on corridors where power-only loads are abundant rather than trying to find them in areas where they are scarce.
Common Mistakes When Searching for Power Only Loads
Relying on a single load board — Each board has different brokers and loads. Using only DAT or only Truckstop means you are missing loads on the other platform.
Waiting until you drop to start searching — By the time you drop the trailer and start searching, the best loads near your location may already be booked. Search 24-48 hours ahead.
Not vetting the broker — A power-only load from an unvetted broker carries the same payment risk as any other load. Check broker credit scores before accepting.
Ignoring trailer repositioning loads — Empty trailer moves pay less per mile but are quick, easy, and often available when loaded freight is not. Do not overlook them as a way to stay productive and position yourself for better loads.
Watch for Double-Brokered Power Only Loads
How Our Team Finds Power Only Loads
At O Trucking LLC, finding loads is what we do all day, every day:
Multi-platform search
We search DAT, Truckstop, Amazon Relay, and our direct broker network simultaneously. Our dispatchers know which platforms have the best power-only loads for each region and which brokers to call first on specific lanes.
Proactive next-load planning
While you are delivering the current load, we are already lining up the next power-only pickup near your drop location. This eliminates the gap between loads that costs power-only carriers unpaid time and deadhead miles.
Established broker relationships
We have existing relationships with brokers who post consistent power-only freight. These relationships give our carriers priority access to loads and better rates than what is publicly posted on load boards.
Let Us Find Power Only Loads for You
Our dispatchers search multiple load boards, leverage broker relationships, and negotiate rates on your behalf. We find the loads — you focus on driving.