Trucksmarter Blog

Featured

Getting started with AI Dispatching

Getting started with AI Dispatching

Truck driver resting against fuel tank of red semi-truck, looking out at the yard

Carriers

Truck driver resting against fuel tank of red semi-truck, looking out at the yard

Carriers

How AI Dispatching Finds You a Better Load, Faster

How AI Dispatching Finds You a Better Load, Faster

Two owner-operators reviewing load data on a laptop in a truck yard, semi-trucks parked in the background

Carriers

Two owner-operators reviewing load data on a laptop in a truck yard, semi-trucks parked in the background

Carriers

What's a Good Rate Per Mile for Owner Operators?

What's a Good Rate Per Mile for Owner Operators?

TruckSmarter Free Load Board showing an Uber Freight load with rate details, SONAR market insights, backhaul options, and buttons to bid or book the load.

Carriers

Insights

TruckSmarter Free Load Board showing an Uber Freight load with rate details, SONAR market insights, backhaul options, and buttons to bid or book the load.

Carriers

Insights

How to Find Backhauls Using a Free Load Board

How to Find Backhauls Using a Free Load Board

Semi-truck with a reefer trailer parked in an empty lot at dusk, with desert hills in the background.

Carriers

Semi-truck with a reefer trailer parked in an empty lot at dusk, with desert hills in the background.

Carriers

How to Find and Book Loads Without a Dispatcher

How to Find and Book Loads Without a Dispatcher

Aerial view of a red Peterbilt semi-truck with a white trailer parked alone at an empty warehouse loading dock, representing a truck driver about to accept a load — the moment to verify a broker before booking. More on freight fraud at trucksmarter.com

Carriers

Aerial view of a red Peterbilt semi-truck with a white trailer parked alone at an empty warehouse loading dock, representing a truck driver about to accept a load — the moment to verify a broker before booking. More on freight fraud at trucksmarter.com

Carriers

How to Spot a Fake Load Posting Before Booking

How to Spot a Fake Load Posting Before Booking

A truck driver in a bucket hat and glasses stands smiling at his phone in a truck yard, with a red and a brown semi-truck parked behind him, using the free load board app to search for loads.

Carriers

A truck driver in a bucket hat and glasses stands smiling at his phone in a truck yard, with a red and a brown semi-truck parked behind him, using the free load board app to search for loads.

Carriers

What Is AI Dispatching in Trucking? A Guide for Owner Operators

What Is AI Dispatching in Trucking? A Guide for Owner Operators

Owner-operator browsing load board listings on the TruckSmarter app, showing freight rates from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Carriers

Owner-operator browsing load board listings on the TruckSmarter app, showing freight rates from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Carriers

What Is a Free Load Board and How Does It Work?

What Is a Free Load Board and How Does It Work?

An enforcement officer wearing a high-visibility yellow safety vest directs a large black Volvo semi-truck at a roadside inspection checkpoint. A California Highway Patrol vehicle is visible on the left, and additional officers in safety vests stand in the background. Traffic cones mark the checkpoint area.

Carriers

An enforcement officer wearing a high-visibility yellow safety vest directs a large black Volvo semi-truck at a roadside inspection checkpoint. A California Highway Patrol vehicle is visible on the left, and additional officers in safety vests stand in the background. Traffic cones mark the checkpoint area.

Carriers

What Is an FMCSA Safety Rating and Why Does It Matter Now?

What Is an FMCSA Safety Rating and Why Does It Matter Now?

Owner operator reviewing trucking paperwork beside a semi truck at a truck stop as brokers increase carrier vetting and compliance standards after the Montgomery ruling.

Carriers

Insights

Owner operator reviewing trucking paperwork beside a semi truck at a truck stop as brokers increase carrier vetting and compliance standards after the Montgomery ruling.

Carriers

Insights

Montgomery v. Caribe: A Supreme Court Decision That Just Changed How Freight Moves in America

Montgomery v. Caribe: A Supreme Court Decision That Just Changed How Freight Moves in America

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Carrier Packet Essentials: A Guide for New Authorities in the Industry

Carrier Packet Essentials: A Guide for New Authorities in the Industry

A male truck driver wearing sunglasses and a black cap inspects the engine bay of a blue semi-truck at a commercial trucking yard while he prepares for DOT Week. Shot from a low angle inside the engine compartment, the photo captures fluid reservoirs, wiring, and mechanical components in the foreground, with a row of white trailer units visible in the background. Ideal for content related to truck maintenance, fleet management, pre-trip inspections, and commercial trucking operations.

Insights

Carriers

A male truck driver wearing sunglasses and a black cap inspects the engine bay of a blue semi-truck at a commercial trucking yard while he prepares for DOT Week. Shot from a low angle inside the engine compartment, the photo captures fluid reservoirs, wiring, and mechanical components in the foreground, with a row of white trailer units visible in the background. Ideal for content related to truck maintenance, fleet management, pre-trip inspections, and commercial trucking operations.

Insights

Carriers

DOT Week 2026: What Drivers Should Expect (and How to Prepare)

DOT Week 2026: What Drivers Should Expect (and How to Prepare)

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

How to Negotiate Higher Freight Rates: 5 Proven Strategies for Small Carriers

How to Negotiate Higher Freight Rates: 5 Proven Strategies for Small Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Insights

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Insights

DOT Week 2025: Everything You Need to Know

DOT Week 2025: Everything You Need to Know

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Getting Into Hot Shot Trucking: An Industry Expert's Guide

Getting Into Hot Shot Trucking: An Industry Expert's Guide

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Insights

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Insights

Hours of Service Rules: A Complete Guide for Truck Drivers

Hours of Service Rules: A Complete Guide for Truck Drivers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Finance

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Finance

Notice of Assignment, Letter of Release, and UCC 101

Notice of Assignment, Letter of Release, and UCC 101

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Detention Pay 101: What Every Truck Driver Needs to Know

Detention Pay 101: What Every Truck Driver Needs to Know

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Damaged Freight: What to Do if Your Brokered Load is Damaged

Damaged Freight: What to Do if Your Brokered Load is Damaged

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

What is Over-the-Road (OTR) Trucking? Everything You Need to Know

What is Over-the-Road (OTR) Trucking? Everything You Need to Know

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

13 Owner Operator Tax Deductions You Should Know (2026 Guide)

13 Owner Operator Tax Deductions You Should Know (2026 Guide)

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

What is a Reefer Truck? A Comprehensive Guide to Reefer Trucking

What is a Reefer Truck? A Comprehensive Guide to Reefer Trucking

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Owner-Operator Insurance: Everything You Need to Know Before You Roll

Owner-Operator Insurance: Everything You Need to Know Before You Roll

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

5 Tips to Building Broker Relationships

5 Tips to Building Broker Relationships

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

10 Crucial Steps to Kick-Start Your Trucking Company

10 Crucial Steps to Kick-Start Your Trucking Company

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Finance

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Finance

Key Financial Variables in the Trucking Industry: A Quick Guide to Trucking Costs

Key Financial Variables in the Trucking Industry: A Quick Guide to Trucking Costs

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

How to Get a DOT Number: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Get a DOT Number: A Step-by-Step Guide

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Carriers

Interstate vs. Intrastate Trucking: Your Complete Guide

Interstate vs. Intrastate Trucking: Your Complete Guide

Blurred imaged of a big rig truck in the background in a snowy environment

Carriers

Interviews

Blurred imaged of a big rig truck in the background in a snowy environment

Carriers

Interviews

How to Winterize Your Truck for Cold Weather

How to Winterize Your Truck for Cold Weather

A female truck driver standing in front of their big rig truck smiling

Interviews

Carriers

Finance

A female truck driver standing in front of their big rig truck smiling

Interviews

Carriers

Finance

9 Tips to stay profitable

9 Tips to stay profitable

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Interviews

Carriers

Front-facing truck backed into a loading dock with a headline announcing that Dispatch is now free and designed to help owner-operators make more money.

Interviews

Carriers

Driver to Driver: Money-Saving Tips for the Road

Driver to Driver: Money-Saving Tips for the Road

Illustrated truck taking flight with fire and stars

Finance

Carriers

Illustrated truck taking flight with fire and stars

Finance

Carriers

What is Freight Factoring in Trucking? Pros & Cons

What is Freight Factoring in Trucking? Pros & Cons

Questions you should ask your factoring company before you sign the contract

Finance

Carriers

Questions you should ask your factoring company before you sign the contract

Finance

Carriers

Questions to ask your factoring company before you sign a contract

Questions to ask your factoring company before you sign a contract

Get the app

Share your mobile number with us, and we'll text you a link to download the free app.

By providing my phone number above, I acknowledge TruckSmarter’s Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms of Service, including the arbitration provision linked here, consent to receive calls and SMS from TruckSmarter for feedback collection and marketing purposes (including through the use of an autodialer and prerecorded and artificial voice), and consent to the recording of such call for quality assurance purposes. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text STOP to cancel or HELP for help.

For brokers

Post loads, get bids, and book carriers directly.

No middleman and no subscription fees for drivers means more carriers see your freight.

Get the app

Share your mobile number with us, and we'll text you a link to download the free app.

By providing my phone number above, I acknowledge TruckSmarter’s Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms of Service, including the arbitration provision linked here, consent to receive calls and SMS from TruckSmarter for feedback collection and marketing purposes (including through the use of an autodialer and prerecorded and artificial voice), and consent to the recording of such call for quality assurance purposes. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text STOP to cancel or HELP for help.

For brokers

Post loads, get bids, and book carriers directly.

No middleman and no subscription fees for drivers means more carriers see your freight.

Get the app

Share your mobile number with us, and we'll text you a link to download the free app.

By providing my phone number above, I acknowledge TruckSmarter’s Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms of Service, including the arbitration provision linked here, consent to receive calls and SMS from TruckSmarter for feedback collection and marketing purposes (including through the use of an autodialer and prerecorded and artificial voice), and consent to the recording of such call for quality assurance purposes. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text STOP to cancel or HELP for help.

For brokers

Post loads, get bids, and book carriers directly.

No middleman and no subscription fees for drivers means more carriers see your freight.

Get the app

Share your mobile number with us, and we'll text you a link to download the free app.

By providing my phone number above, I acknowledge TruckSmarter’s Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms of Service, including the arbitration provision linked here, consent to receive calls and SMS from TruckSmarter for feedback collection and marketing purposes (including through the use of an autodialer and prerecorded and artificial voice), and consent to the recording of such call for quality assurance purposes. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text STOP to cancel or HELP for help.

For brokers

Post loads, get bids, and book carriers directly.

No middleman and no subscription fees for drivers means more carriers see your freight.