This article is based on the keynote “Earning opportunities by delivering with excellence” presented by Rob Grady at RelayCon 2025.
When Relay carriers do what it takes to deliver safely and on time, Amazon constantly raises the bar, finding ways to keep trucks hauling and earning.
Let’s get into some of the new, exciting growth opportunities that Amazon Relay has to offer.
Where do Amazon’s load opportunities come from?
Here’s how we’re creating more freight variety and more loads in more places across the country.
- Amazon’s consumer store business: Since 2020, Amazon’s shipment volume has increased by 350%. It’s driven by the diverse items and services we offer Prime members. With just a few clicks, customers on Amazon can fill a prescription, order their groceries, and buy their essentials. And it’s all getting delivered to more customers, with faster service. Just last year, we grew the number of same-day delivery sites by 60%. We now reach over 140 metro areas with same-day delivery.
- Third-party shippers: Relay carriers’ commitment to being safe and on time attracts more shippers to the Amazon network, which creates more opportunities to haul freight–especially drayage from rail and shipyards, and full-trailer loads.
High-potential loads for Relay’s high-performing carriers
Through that network expansion, here’s how we’re bringing more opportunities to Relay carriers.
- Amazon grocery: If you run reefer trucks, you can now move grocery loads throughout Amazon’s refrigerated fulfillment network. Amazon offers same-day delivery for perishable goods in over 1,000 cities and towns. But by the end of the year, we plan to reach up to 2,300 locations with same-day grocery delivery.
- Box trucks: Relay offers thousands of box truck loads every day. Just this year, Relay carriers have executed over 500,000 of them. Box trucks may be a more practical option for carriers that live near cities where lots of short runs are available.
- Yard hostling and shuttling: Launched this year, these short hauls reposition trailers around Amazon’s yards or distribute them among yards and facilities. Hostling and shuttling happens at or near a single site. So, these short, light loads can fill a full day, with less fuel, and less wear-and-tear on your equipment. These hauls are great for carriers that want to diversify their revenue and use more of their assets. And, they’re power-only, so all you need is a tractor to get started.
Relay carriers can instantly book grocery and box truck loads on our load board or as a contract. Or they can bid on them in Relay auctions, along with hostling and shuttling.
Want in on these new types of freight?
When Relay carriers hand off packages safely and on time, smiles get delivered when they’re needed most. We’re looking for reliable, diligent carriers that consistently deliver with excellence, to help us open doors to new opportunities. If you have exceptionally high expectations for your teams, start your Relay sign-up on desktop. You can also download the Relay app on iOS or Android to track your application on the go.
Disclaimer: Amazon does not tender loads through any third-party load boards. Any Amazon loads posted on third-party load boards will only be tendered directly to approved and onboarded carriers via the Relay web portal or Relay mobile app. If you are interested in hauling loads for Amazon, sign up and book directly on relay.amazon.com. For more about our efforts against fraud and cargo theft, see our trustworthy transportation page.
