What is the cheapest truck dispatch service?
The cheapest truck dispatch service is the one with the lowest total cost for your truck, not the lowest advertised number. Add up the percentage or weekly fee, any setup fee, minimum, contract term and extra charges for paperwork, then compare what each fee includes. A percentage of weekly gross costs nothing in a week the truck does not run; a flat weekly fee does.
Everyone wants the cheapest truck dispatch service. That is fair: the fee comes straight out of your gross. But the lowest number in an ad is often not the lowest cost once the extras are added. This guide shows how truck dispatch cost is calculated, how a dispatch fee percentage compares with a flat rate or weekly dispatch fee, and what to check before you sign.
The three ways dispatchers charge
| Model | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of weekly gross | A set % of what the truck books each week | Carriers whose weeks vary | Check what "gross" includes |
| Flat weekly fee | Same dollar amount every week | Steady, high-gross trucks | Due even when the truck sits |
| Per load | A fee on each load booked | Occasional dispatch | Can add up on short loads |
Most independent dispatchers use a percentage, commonly quoted from about 3% to 10% depending on equipment and services. Read more in dispatch percentage vs flat fee.
What 5% truck dispatch really costs
At 5% of weekly gross, the fee moves with your week:
| Weekly gross | 5% fee | 7% fee (hotshot) | 8% fee (box truck) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $4,000 | $200 | $280 | $320 |
| $6,000 | $300 | $420 | $480 |
| $8,000 | $400 | $560 | $640 |
| $10,000 | $500 | $700 | $800 |
Now compare a hypothetical flat weekly fee of $350. In a $10,000 week it is cheaper than 5%. In a $4,000 week, or a week the truck is in the shop, you still pay $350, and $350 on zero gross is the most expensive dispatch there is. Run your own numbers in the dispatch fee calculator.
Hidden costs that make "cheap" expensive
A low percentage can hide a high total. Ask about:
- Setup or onboarding fees charged before a single load.
- Weekly minimums that apply even when you do not run.
- Paperwork charges per broker packet, invoice or rate confirmation.
- Long contracts with penalties for leaving. Look for no contract truck dispatch: a signed agreement with a short notice period, not a 12-month lock-in.
- Forced dispatch. A dispatcher paid on volume may push cheap loads. No forced dispatch means you approve every load.
- Low rates. A dispatcher who books the first posted rate costs you more per load than any fee difference.
Cheapest fee vs best value
Two dispatchers, same semi, same week:
- Dispatcher A charges 4%, takes the posted rates and leaves you with 20% deadhead.
- Dispatcher B charges 5%, negotiates $150 more across the week and plans the reload so you run 100 fewer empty miles.
Dispatcher B costs about $80 more in fee on $8,000 gross but puts more money in your pocket. Use the load profitability calculator to compare offers on your own lanes.
Questions to ask about price
- Is the fee a percentage of gross, a flat weekly amount or per load?
- What counts as gross: linehaul only, or detention and fuel surcharge too?
- Is there a setup fee, minimum or contract term?
- What paperwork is included in the fee?
- Do I approve every load?
- Can I try a load first?
Texas Solutions pricing, in writing
- 5% of weekly gross for OTR semis (dry van, reefer, flatbed, step deck, power only).
- 7% for hotshots, 8% for box trucks and straight trucks.
- No flat rate, no setup fee, no monthly subscription, no long-term contract.
- Broker packets, rate confirmations and invoicing included.
- You approve every load. First load dispatched free.
Local and regional work is quoted separately. See the full truck dispatch rates page or talk to a dispatcher.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage do truck dispatchers charge?
Most independent dispatchers charge a percentage of weekly gross, commonly quoted from about 3% to 10% depending on equipment and services. Texas Solutions charges 5% for OTR semis, 7% for hotshots and 8% for box trucks and straight trucks.
Is a flat rate truck dispatch fee cheaper than a percentage?
Sometimes, in a strong week. But a flat weekly fee is due even when the truck sits, so in slow weeks it costs more. Work out both over a typical month, including your slow weeks.
Is 5% truck dispatch a good deal?
For an OTR semi, 5% of weekly gross is at the lower end of what dispatchers commonly charge. It is a good deal if it includes negotiation, broker setups and paperwork with no setup fee or long contract.
Are there hidden fees in truck dispatch?
Watch for setup or onboarding fees, weekly minimums, charges per broker packet or invoice, cancellation penalties and long contract terms. Ask for every fee in writing before you sign.
