When carriers need work to fill their scheduling gaps, spot loads are one of the solutions. And when combined with Relay contract work, spot freight can offer flexibility and financial freedom. Your company just needs a load board with tons of booking opportunities and a rundown of the spot freight basics.
Let’s start from the top.
What is spot freight?
Spot freight is work booked “on the spot.” It’s on-demand, rather than involving a long-term service agreement. That’s why carriers tend to think of spot loads as “fast freight” and contracts as “fixed freight.” Carriers can book spot freight loads and get moving if they have the equipment and availability that matches the work.
What is spot freight vs. trucking contracts?
Contracts cover predictable volume and lanes over a period of time. But when it comes to last-minute shipments, custom orders, or routes disrupted by natural disasters, shippers rely on spot freight.
Here’s why some business owners love spot trucking.
- Ownership: Spot loads let carriers cherry pick the jobs they want and where they go.
- Flexibility: Through spot work, carriers aren’t locked in to one shipper. This independence allows them to supplement contract work, or work with different shippers to meet their business’s needs.
- Variety: With the ability to go between backhauls, one-ways, and everything in between, carriers can build more experience, whereas contracts tend to dabble in the same type and commodity of freight.
How do I find spot freight?
Amazon Relay’s load board has thousands of spot loads including drayage, reefer, box trucks, and more. Carriers can save their preferences for ideal loads based on:
- Trailer status
- Equipment type
- Load type
- Driver type
- Desired payout
- Maximum number of stops
- Trip length
Why carriers love Relay for spot freight
Your company doesn’t need to work across 10 load boards to find work. Relay has spot loads for carriers with and without trailers, all with the reliability of a reputable partner. Whether you’re looking next adventure or want to make it back in time for dinner, here’s why Amazon Relay’s spot loads might be your best bet.
- Efficiency: Relay’s tech streamlines the booking and dispatch processes. With a one-stop shop for a steady stream of freight, you can focus on operations.
- Driver safety: Peace of mind with truck-friendly navigation and weather alerts in the Relay mobile app.
- Less time waiting: Fast loading and unloading for box trucks, containers, and 53ft’ dry vans.
- Lower overhead costs: Less money spent on fuel and wear-and-tear with loads that average ~25K pounds.
- Fair compensation: Relay offers separate fuel surcharges that are updated as the market fluctuates.
- Discounts: Exclusive pricing on fuel, tires, truck rentals, and more.
- Esteem: Hauling an Amazon smile behind your trucks means your business is the real deal.
What equipment do I need to haul spot loads for Amazon Relay?
Amazon has work for the following equipment types:
- Tractor: Day cab, 26' box truck,* and sleeper cab
- Trailers: 48’ trailer, 53’ dry van, and reefer
*Box Truck: 26’ dock height box truck with tuck-under lift gate required. Interior cargo dimensions at least 26’x8’x8’ (LxWxH)
Sign up for Relay to book spot freight
There’s no shortage of spot loads on Relay’s load board. Ready to see what’s available? Sign up to get rolling. You can download the Relay app on iOS or Android to get started and track your application’s progress 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.
