Brokers and shippers have had real-time freight market data for years. Most owner operators are still making rate calls based on instinct, experience, or outdated information. That gap adds friction and makes it harder to evaluate loads with confidence. Today, we’re closing it.

TruckSmarter has partnered with SONAR to bring real-time spot rate data directly into Dispatch. The same market intelligence brokers and shippers use to run their side of the negotiation is now built into the conversations you’re having in Dispatch.

Ask a question in Dispatch’s chat interface and get a real answer backed by live market data. See how it works. 

See What the Market Is Doing Before You Search

Know what a lane is paying before you even open a load. SONAR’s data gives you real-time, lane-level spot rate benchmarks so you’re not guessing what the market looks like, you’re seeing it.

Instead of committing to a run based on assumptions, you can ask Dispatch what’s actually happening in the market right now.

Try asking:

• “What’s freight paying out of Houston right now?”

• “Is the Midwest to Southeast lane strong this week?”

• “Which lanes out of Phoenix are above market?”

You wouldn’t take a fuel price without considering what’s available at nearby stations. Lane rates should work the same way.

Found a Load? See If the Rate Holds Up, Then Act on It

Stop guessing if a rate is fair. Ask Dispatch, see the benchmark, and decide, all in one conversation.

SONAR’s rate data appears alongside load results so you’re comparing against the market, not guesswork. If a broker is offering $2.80 per mile on a lane averaging $3.10, you’ll know before you pick up the phone.

Try asking:

• “Is $2.80 per mile from Omaha to Detroit good right now?”

• “What should I counter on this load from Memphis to Charlotte?”

• “Is this broker’s offer above or below market?”

This is the information that’s always been on the other side of the negotiation. Now it’s on yours too.

Figure Out Your Next Move Before You Drop

The best time to plan your next run is before you finish the current one.

SONAR’s data shows where freight is moving by region so you can spot demand before you need it. Instead of repositioning blind after a drop, you can ask Dispatch where the market is strongest and move with intent.

Try asking:

• “What’s the best paying lane home from Atlanta this week?”

• “Where should I reposition after this drop to stay in a strong market?”

• “What’s the freight outlook out of the Northwest this weekend?”

Knowing where loads are stacking up helps you position ahead of demand instead of chasing it.

What Is SONAR TRAC Data?

SONAR is the freight industry’s leading market intelligence platform. Its TRAC data tracks real-time, lane-level spot rates based on actual transactions, not posted rates or estimates.

It’s the benchmark brokers and shippers rely on to understand what the market is truly paying. Until now, that level of visibility hasn’t been accessible to most independent carriers.

“Freight markets work better when all participants have access to the same quality of information. Bringing SONAR’s TRAC spot rate data into TruckSmarter’s Dispatch platform is a step toward a more transparent and efficient spot market for carriers, brokers, and shippers alike.” —Craig Fuller, CEO, FreightWaves

Why TruckSmarter Did This

TruckSmarter was built to give owner operators access to tools traditionally reserved for large fleets—starting with a free load board. For years, the information advantage in rate negotiations sat with brokers, not because the data didn’t exist, but because it wasn’t accessible to carriers. That changes today.

“TruckSmarter was built to give independent drivers access to the tools typically reserved for large enterprises. With SONAR, we’re bringing real-time market data directly into the workflows drivers use every day. Carriers can now see how a rate stacks up, plan routes more effectively, and make better decisions, all from a single prompt.” —Dan Kao, CEO, TruckSmarter

Market Data, Now Built Into Dispatch

SONAR’s data is now built into how Dispatch works across load search, route planning, and broker outreach. Next, SONAR data will expand to include fuel price insights inside Dispatch.

In the meantime, if you’re a Dispatch subscriber, this is already live. No setup required.

Not a Dispatch subscriber? See what the market is actually paying. Click here to start your 30-day free trial now.