Most owner-operators ask the same first question about dispatch services: what does it cost? The honest answer is that the price itself matters less than how it’s charged and what it includes. Here’s how to compare.
The two common pricing models
Percentage of the gross
Most dispatch services charge a percentage of each load’s gross rate — commonly somewhere between 5% and 10%. You only pay when a load moves, and the dispatcher earns more when they negotiate a better rate for you, so your interests line up.
Flat fee
Some dispatchers charge a flat weekly or monthly fee per truck instead. That can look cheaper during a strong week, but you pay the same amount during a slow week, while you’re on home time, or when the truck is in the shop.
| Percentage | Flat fee | |
|---|---|---|
| You pay when | A load is dispatched | Every week or month |
| Slow weeks / home time | Pay less (or nothing) | Same fee |
| Dispatcher’s incentive | Higher rates for you | Fixed income either way |
What it looks like in real numbers
Here’s an illustrative example at a 7% rate:
- A load paying $2,400 → dispatch fee $168 → you keep $2,232.
- A week with three loads grossing $7,500 → dispatch fee $525.
Try your own numbers with the fee calculator on our pricing page.
Questions to ask before you sign up
- When is the fee charged? Some dispatchers bill when the load is booked or delivered — before you’ve been paid. Others, like us, only charge after the broker pays you.
- Is there a contract? Long contracts and cancellation fees are a warning sign. A good dispatcher keeps you because the results are good.
- What’s included? Ask specifically about paperwork, signing rate confirmations, billing, submitting invoices to your factoring company, and detention and layover claims.
- Do I approve every load? You should never be “forced dispatched” onto loads you didn’t agree to.
- Are there setup or monthly fees? Make sure the percentage is the whole price.
- Are discounts available? Some dispatchers offer lower rates for certain truck types or for fleets.
Red flags: upfront payment before any loads are booked, long-term contracts, pressure to accept loads, and vague answers about what’s included.
How Load & Go prices dispatching
We keep it simple:
- A flat 7% of the gross per load.
- Nothing is due until the broker pays you for that load.
- No contract, no setup fees and no monthly fees.
- Discounts for certain truck types — and in some conditions for your whole fleet.
- Everything included: finding loads, negotiation, paperwork, billing, factoring submissions, detention and layover.
