DAT Load Board for Box Trucks: Finding Straight Truck Loads
Box truck operators can find profitable loads on DAT One, but the search approach differs from semi-truck freight. This guide covers equipment filters, realistic rate expectations, search strategies, and how to combine DAT with platforms like Amazon Relay for maximum box truck earnings.
$2.50-$4.00
Typical Rate/Mile
25-300
Typical Haul Miles
$3,000-$4,400
Weekly Earnings Range
No CDL
Under 26,001 lbs GVWR
Ahmad Qazi
Founder & CEO, O Trucking LLC
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Dispatch Team
5+ years dispatching box truck operators using DAT and other platforms
Sources:
Written by Ahmad Qazi, founder of O Trucking LLC, drawing on 9+ years dispatching for owner-operators. Learn more about us.
O TruckingDAT Load Board for Box Trucks: Finding Straight Truck Loads (2026)
Key Takeaways
- DAT One covers box trucks through the Straight Truck (ST) equipment filter, not a separate box-truck-only product.
- Box truck loads are concentrated in dense metros; widen your search radius to 75-100 miles and post your truck daily.
- Typical box truck spot rates range from $3.00-$4.00+ per mile under 50 miles down to about $2.25-$3.00 per mile on 150-300 mile hauls.
- DAT works best as one channel alongside Amazon Relay, Truckstop, and direct shipper contracts rather than your only freight source.
- Always confirm the live posted rate plus the load's weight and dimensions before accepting any box truck load.
Box Truck Loads on DAT
DAT One includes load postings for box trucks (straight trucks), typically 16-26 foot enclosed trucks. These loads are generally shorter distance, higher rate-per-mile shipments compared to semi-truck freight. Common box truck loads on DAT include LTL shipments, last-mile deliveries, e-commerce fulfillment, furniture, appliances, and medical supplies.
The volume of box truck loads on DAT is lower than semi-truck loads because many box truck shippers use dedicated platforms or direct contracts. However, DAT remains a valuable source for supplemental freight, especially in metro areas with high e-commerce density.
Setting Your Equipment Filters
When searching DAT for box truck loads, set your equipment type correctly:
Straight Truck (ST) — The standard equipment code for box trucks on DAT. Select this for 16-26ft loads.
Cargo Van (CV) — If you have a smaller vehicle, include this filter. Some loads suitable for large cargo vans also fit box trucks.
Dry Van (V) — Some smaller dry van loads can be handled by a 26ft box truck. Check weight and dimensions before accepting.
Box Truck Rate Expectations
| Distance | Rate/Mile | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 50 miles | $3.00-$4.00+ | Last-mile, white-glove, local delivery |
| 50-150 miles | $2.50-$3.50 | Regional LTL, e-commerce fulfillment |
| 150-300 miles | $2.25-$3.00 | Longer regional, inter-city freight |
White-Glove Pays Premium
These ranges are typical spot-market numbers, not fixed prices — always confirm the live posted rate and the load's weight and dimensions before you accept. When a posted rate looks low, it is usually negotiable: our load board rate negotiation guide walks through the scripts box truck operators use. For a deeper look at squeezing more out of DAT specifically, see our DAT load board tips to maximize earnings, and to benchmark your annual take-home, read the box truck owner-operator salary guide.
Search Strategies for Box Trucks
Widen your radius — Box truck loads on DAT are concentrated in metro areas. Search a 75-100 mile radius rather than a single city.
Check multiple equipment types — Search ST, CV, and small V loads simultaneously to maximize results.
Set load alerts — Box truck loads get booked fast. Set alerts for your primary metro area so you are notified instantly when new loads post.
Post your truck daily — Many box truck loads come from brokers searching for available trucks. Keep your truck posted with your location and availability.
Combining DAT with Other Box Truck Platforms
DAT should not be your only source for box truck freight. If you are weighing which board to subscribe to first, our DAT vs. Truckstop comparison breaks down the differences, and our broader guide to finding box truck loads covers every channel. Combine DAT with:
Amazon Relay — Amazon generates enormous box truck demand. Relay loads pay $2.50-$3.50/mile for 24-26ft trucks with predictable, consistent freight.
Truckstop — Truckstop carries box truck loads and Book It Now lets you book instantly without calling.
Direct shipper contracts — The highest-paying box truck freight comes from direct relationships with shippers who need regular local/regional delivery.
DAT + Amazon Relay = Strong Box Truck Strategy
Common Box Truck Mistakes on DAT
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DAT have a dedicated box truck or straight truck load board?
DAT does not run a separate box-truck-only board, but DAT One includes a Straight Truck (ST) equipment type alongside Cargo Van (CV) and Van (V). You filter for those equipment codes inside the standard load search rather than logging into a different product, so a single DAT One subscription covers box truck freight.
Why are there fewer box truck loads on DAT than semi loads?
Most straight-truck freight is local or regional and tends to move through dedicated networks like Amazon Relay, courier brokers, and direct shipper contracts instead of the open spot market. DAT still posts steady box truck volume in dense metros, but you should treat it as one channel in a multi-board strategy, not your only source.
Do I need a DAT subscription to find box truck loads?
To search and book loads yourself you need a paid DAT One plan; the higher tiers add rate data and broker credit info. If you would rather not pay for a board or learn the search workflow, a dispatch service can run DAT, Truckstop, and Relay on your behalf and only book freight that clears your rate floor.
What rate per mile should a 26ft box truck target on DAT?
Short local runs under 50 miles often clear $3.00-$4.00+ per mile, regional runs of 50-150 miles tend to land around $2.50-$3.50, and longer 150-300 mile hauls usually settle near $2.25-$3.00. These are typical spot-market ranges, not guarantees; always verify the live posted rate and confirm weight and dimensions before accepting.
How Our Team Dispatches Box Trucks
At O Trucking LLC, we dispatch box truck operators using a combination of DAT, Truckstop, Amazon Relay, and direct broker relationships. We know which metro areas have the highest box truck demand, which brokers pay the best rates for straight truck freight, and how to optimize routes for maximum daily revenue. Our box truck carriers typically earn $3,000-$4,400 per week.
Need Box Truck Dispatch?
Our team dispatches box truck operators using DAT, Truckstop, Amazon Relay, and direct broker relationships. We find the highest-paying straight truck freight in your area.