Load boards and programs | Load board
Direct Freight for carriers: price, plans and new authority
Updated
Direct Freight is a load board with a free plan and paid carrier plans from $39 to $69 a month as of October 2026. The free plan is capped at three calls a day, and full searching needs a paid account. Carriers can use the site before they have an MC number, and the Enhanced and Professional plans add broker credit scores and days to pay.
At a glance
- Best for
- Carriers who want to start searching before they have an MC number
- Price
- $39 a month to $69 a month
- New authorities
- You do not need an MC number to use the site
- Payment
- The broker or shipper who posts the load pays you
- Equipment
- Box truck, Hotshot, Cargo van, Dry van, Reefer, Flatbed, Power only
Our take
New carriers can start learning their lanes on Direct Freight before their authority comes through. Add your MC number to the company profile once you have it. Paid plans start with an introductory 15 days for $1.
Hauling eligibility and pay are arranged with the broker or shipper who posts each load, so each one makes its own call on new authorities. Use the credit scores and days to pay on Enhanced and Professional to screen those brokers before booking.
Pros
- Free plan for load search, truck posting and alerts
- Paid plans from $39 a month, with 15 days for $1
- Usable before you have an MC number
- Broker credit scores, full reports and days to pay on Enhanced and Professional
- Optional factoring through Riviera Finance
Cons
- Three calls a day on the free plan
- Full searching needs a paid account
- Current and historical rates come only with Professional
- Direct Freight doesn't handle payment disputes
Plans and prices
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic Carrier | $39 a monthSame since 2025 |
| Enhanced Carrier | $49 a monthSame since 2025 |
| Professional Carrier | $69 a monthSame since 2025 |
| Trial | 15 days for $1 on paid plansChanged by January 2025
|
The Free plan allows three calls a day for load search, truck posting and alerts. Annual billing is $390 for Basic Carrier, $490 for Enhanced Carrier and $690 for Professional Carrier.
Can a new authority use it
| What | Direct Freight | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New authorities | You do not need an MC number to use the site Hauling eligibility and payment are arranged with the broker or shipper who posts the load. | Its own page |
| Authority you need | No MC number is needed to use the site Add your MC number to your company profile when you have it. | Its own page |
| Factoring | Optional factoring through Riviera Finance Three green lights mean you are preapproved for factoring. Factoring is not required to sign up. | Its own pageSame since 2021 |
| Other sign-up rules | Company profile and payment information for a paid account A paid account is needed for full searching. | Its own page |
Booking, rates and pay
| What | Direct Freight | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rate data | Current and historical freight rates on Professional Professional also has a high to low rate range and saved lanes. Enhanced adds heatmap and profit tools. | Its own page |
| Broker credit scores | Credit scores and full reports on Enhanced and Professional | Its own pageSame since 2022 |
| Broker days to pay | Days to pay on Enhanced and Professional | Its own pageSame since 2022 |
| Payment | The broker or shipper who posts the load pays you Direct Freight does not handle payment disputes. | Its own pageSame since 2021 |
Equipment it lists
- Box truck
- Hotshot
- Cargo van
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Power only
Based on the equipment filters in the public search form. A filter does not show current loads for that type.
How their terms changed
| When | Term | What it said | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current page | Trial | 15 days for $1 on paid plans | Its own page |
| December 2022 to February 2024 | Trial | 15 days free | Archived copy |
Direct Freight alternatives
| Name | Price | Authority age | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAT One | $59 a month, $149 a month, $169 a month, $259 a month, $339 a month | New carriers can find freight | Book Now on some loads for pre-approved MCs |
| Truckstop | $42 a month per user, up to three users, $135 a month per user, $159 a month per user, $299 a month, with up to three users shown, $35 a month for a three-user block, up to nine users, $129 a month for a three-user block, up to nine users, $42 a month for a three-user block, $159 a month for a three-user block | Basic is marketed to new owner-operators | Book It Now on Advanced and Pro plans |
| TruckLoads by Trucker Path | Unlimited load access is advertised as free | Digital bookings in the Verified Digital Carrier Network |
Frequently asked questions
Is Direct Freight free?
There's a free plan with three daily calls for load search, truck posting and alerts. Paid plans cost $39 a month for Basic Carrier, $49 for Enhanced Carrier and $69 for Professional Carrier as of October 2026, or $390, $490 and $690 billed annually.
Do I need an MC number to use Direct Freight?
No. You can use the site without one and add your MC number to your company profile when you have it. Eligibility to haul is arranged with the broker or shipper who posts the load.
Does Direct Freight have a free trial?
Paid plans offer 15 days for $1 as an introductory offer.
Which Direct Freight plans show broker credit scores?
Enhanced and Professional include credit scores, full credit reports and days to pay.
How do you get paid on Direct Freight loads?
The broker or shipper who posts the load pays you. Direct Freight doesn't handle payment disputes.
Does Direct Freight offer factoring?
Yes, optional factoring through Riviera Finance. Three green lights mean you're preapproved for factoring, and factoring isn't required to sign up.