Resources
Straight answers for owner-operators — dispatch costs, broker negotiation, and keeping more of every load. No fluff, no sales pitch dressed up as advice.
How much do owner-operators pay for dispatch services?
A straight breakdown of what truck dispatch costs owner-operators in 2026 — percentage fees, flat fees, and what you actually get for the money.
ComparisonFlat-fee vs. percentage dispatch: what it really costs you
Percentage dispatch quietly scales its cut with your best loads. Here is the real math on flat-fee vs. percentage dispatch for owner-operators.
Getting startedWhat does a truck dispatcher actually do for owner-operators?
Finding loads is only the start. Here is everything a good truck dispatcher does for an owner-operator — negotiation, paperwork, detention, and getting paid.
NegotiationHow to negotiate with freight brokers and get a higher rate
The posted rate is a starting point, not the offer. A practical playbook for owner-operators on negotiating with freight brokers — openers, counters, and knowing when to walk.
Getting paidHow to get paid for detention as an owner-operator
Detention is money you have already earned sitting at a dock. Here is how detention pay works and how to actually collect it — documentation, notice, and the rate con.
Getting paidWhat is TONU? Truck Ordered Not Used pay, explained
When a broker cancels a load after you are dispatched, TONU pay covers the dry run. Here is what TONU is, what it pays, and how an owner-operator actually collects it.
Getting paidHow to check if a freight broker is legit before you haul
Hauling for a broker with dead authority or no bond is how you end up unpaid. A checklist for vetting a freight broker — FMCSA authority, the $75K bond, and credit.
Know your numbersYour true cost per mile: the number every owner-operator needs
You can’t know if a load pays until you know what it costs you to run. How to calculate your real cost per mile — fixed, variable, and the break-even rate.
Finding loadsThe best load boards for owner-operators in 2026
DAT, Truckstop, and the free alternatives compared for owner-operators — what each costs, what it’s good for, and how to actually turn a load board into booked freight.
Getting paidFreight factoring explained: is it worth it for owner-operators?
Factoring turns a 30–60 day invoice into cash today — for a fee. How freight factoring works, recourse vs. non-recourse, what it costs, and when it’s worth it.