What Load 1 Trucking Is

Load 1 Trucking is a freight brokerage and carrier company that connects owner-operators and small trucking companies with freight shipments. Unlike a traditional trucking job where you work for a company, Load 1 operates as a network — you own or lease your truck, and Load 1 dispatches loads to you based on availability and your location. You keep a portion of what the shipper pays; Load 1 takes a cut as the broker.

The company handles the paperwork between you and the shipper, manages payment processing, and maintains the freight insurance. Your role is to pick up the load, transport it to the destination, and deliver it on time. Load 1 has been operating since 1998 and works primarily with refrigerated freight (reefer loads), though they also handle dry van and flatbed work depending on your equipment.

Key Takeaways

  • Load 1 is a freight broker that pays owner-operators a percentage of the load rate, not a salary, so your income depends on how many loads you move and what they pay.
  • You need your own truck or a lease agreement, a valid commercial driver's license, and proof of insurance before you can start receiving loads.
  • Load 1 handles dispatch through their app or phone system, and you can accept or decline loads — you are not required to take every one offered.
  • Payment typically arrives within a few days of delivery, though the exact timeline depends on the shipper and Load 1's processing schedule.
  • Owner-operators are responsible for fuel, maintenance, insurance, and other operating costs, which come out of your earnings before you see a paycheck.

How Payment Works as an Owner-Operator

Load 1 does not pay you a wage. Instead, you receive a percentage of the freight rate — the amount the shipper pays Load 1 to move the load. That percentage varies depending on the type of load, the distance, and current market rates. A typical split might be 70 to 85 percent to the driver, with Load 1 keeping the rest, but this is not fixed and changes based on demand and competition.

You see the load details — origin, destination, weight, and the rate — before you accept it. This means you can do the math yourself: calculate fuel costs, tolls, and how many hours the load will take, then decide whether the rate makes sense for your business. Some loads are profitable; others are not. The choice is yours.

Payment arrives after the load is delivered and the shipper confirms receipt. Load 1 typically processes payments within a few days, though some shippers take longer to pay Load 1 first. You will need a bank account set up for direct deposit, and Load 1 will send you a 1099 form at tax time since you are an independent contractor, not an employee.

What You Need to get your free guide

Load 1 requires several things before you can start receiving loads. You need a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) with the appropriate endorsements for the type of freight you will haul — a refrigerated endorsement for reefer loads, for example. You also need a truck that meets Load 1's standards: most carriers require equipment less than 10 to 15 years old, depending on the load type, and in good mechanical condition.

You must carry liability insurance and cargo insurance that meets Load 1's minimums. These are not optional — shippers require proof before loads are assigned. You will also need your Motor Carrier (MC) number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) if you operate as your own carrier, or you can lease on under Load 1's authority if you do not have one yet.

Finally, you need a way to receive and manage loads. Load 1 provides a mobile app and phone dispatch, so you need a smartphone or access to a phone line. Some owner-operators also use a Electronic Logging Device (ELD) to track hours of service — this is required by federal law for most commercial drivers, so confirm Load 1's requirements before you start.

How Dispatch and Load Assignment Work

Once you are set up, Load 1 sends you load offers through their app or by phone. You see the pickup location, delivery location, freight type, weight, and the rate per mile or per load. You have the option to accept or decline — Load 1 does not force you to take loads you do not want. This flexibility is one reason owner-operators choose Load 1 over traditional employment.

Loads are offered based on your location and availability. If you are sitting in Dallas and a load is picking up in Dallas, you might see it. If you are 500 miles away, you probably will not. Load 1's system tries to match drivers to loads efficiently, but the quality and frequency of loads available to you depends on where you are and how busy the freight market is at that moment.

Once you accept a load, you are responsible for picking it up on time, following the delivery window, and keeping Load 1 and the shipper informed if anything changes. If you break down, get delayed, or need to cancel, you contact Load 1 when ready. Canceling loads repeatedly can affect your standing with the company and the loads offered to you in the future.

Operating Costs and What Comes Out of Your Pay

As an owner-operator, every expense comes out of your earnings. Fuel is usually your largest cost — a full tank can run $500 to $800 depending on fuel prices and your truck's tank size. Maintenance, repairs, tires, and oil changes add up quickly. Insurance premiums for liability and cargo coverage are typically $1,200 to $2,000 per month or more, depending on your truck and driving record.

You also pay for tolls, parking, scales, permits, and registration. If you lease your truck instead of owning it, lease payments come out too. Many owner-operators also set aside money for taxes — since you are a contractor, Load 1 does not withhold anything, and you may owe quarterly estimated taxes to the IRS.

A load that pays $1,500 might sound good until you subtract $400 in fuel, $150 in tolls, and your share of insurance and maintenance. Your actual take-home is much lower. Successful owner-operators track every expense and calculate their true profit per load, not just the gross rate.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Working with Load 1

Load 1 offers flexibility — you choose which loads to take, set your own schedule within reason, and can work as much or as little as you want. The company has been around for over 20 years, which suggests stability. They handle the broker relationship with shippers, so you do not have to chase payment or negotiate rates yourself. The app makes it straightforward to see loads and manage your business from your phone.

The downside is income uncertainty. You do not have a may provide paycheck. Slow freight markets mean fewer loads and lower rates. You are responsible for all operating costs, which can be substantial. If your truck breaks down, you do not earn money that day. You also have no benefits — no health insurance, no retirement plan, no paid time off. Owner-operators must plan and save for these things themselves.

Load 1 also takes a cut of every load, which means you are always earning less than the shipper pays. In a tight market, that cut can feel large. Some owner-operators find they can negotiate better rates by working directly with shippers or other brokers, though that requires more business skills and time spent on the sales side.

How to Start the Process

To explore working with Load 1, you contact them directly through their website or by phone. They will ask about your truck, your CDL, your insurance, and your experience. If you meet their basic requirements, they will send you an process and explain their current rates and load availability in your area.

Before you commit, ask Load 1 specific questions: What is the current average rate per mile in your region? How many loads per week are typically available? What are their insurance minimums? What happens if you decline loads? Get answers in writing if possible, so you have something to reference later.

You should also talk to other owner-operators who work with Load 1 — online trucking forums and Facebook groups are good places to find them. Ask about their real earnings, how often they get loads, and whether they would recommend the company. This real-world feedback is often more useful than anything Load 1 will tell you in a sales call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my own truck to work with Load 1, or can I lease one?

You can do either. Some owner-operators own their truck outright, others finance one, and some lease from a truck leasing company. Load 1 does not care which — they just need the truck to meet their standards and be insured. If you lease, the lease payments come out of your earnings, which reduces your profit per load.

What if I do not have an MC number yet?

You can lease on under Load 1's authority while you get your own MC number from the FMCSA. This takes a few weeks and involves paperwork and a small fee. Load 1 can explain the process, and many owner-operators start this way. Once you have your own MC number, you operate as an independent carrier.

How often do owner-operators get paid?

Load 1 typically processes payments within a few days of delivery, and most owner-operators receive direct deposit twice a week or weekly. The exact timing depends on when the shipper pays Load 1 and Load 1's processing schedule. Ask Load 1 for their specific payment schedule before you start.

Can I work for Load 1 part-time while keeping another job?

Technically yes, but it is not practical. You need to be available when loads are offered, and turning down too many loads hurts your standing. Most owner-operators treat it as a full-time business. If you want part-time work, a traditional trucking job with set hours might be a better fit.

What happens if a load does not pay what Load 1 quoted?

Load 1 shows you the rate before you accept the load, so you know what you will earn. If the shipper disputes the load or there is a problem, Load 1 handles it — that is part of what they do as the broker. You should not see a surprise reduction in pay if you delivered the load as agreed.