Updated May 2026 · Independent Review
Truckstop Review 2026: Honest Owner-Op Verdict
Truckstop is the #2 load board in North America, behind DAT One. Starting at $39/month, it is the most affordable major load board available. Best for budget-conscious owner-ops, regional carriers, and those supplementing DAT in Southeast and Midwest lanes.
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Truckstop is the #2 load board in North America, behind DAT One. Pricing starts at $39/month, cheaper than DAT. Credit Stop broker ratings are competitive with DAT's. Best for budget-conscious owner-ops and fleets that supplement with DAT or operate in Truckstop-heavy lanes (Southeast, Midwest).
Truckstop — score breakdown
TL;DR — Truckstop in 60 words
Truckstop is the affordable #2 load board, starting at $39/month. Employee-owned since 1995, 50,000+ carriers, strong Credit Stop broker ratings and RateMate analytics from Advanced tier. Best for regional lanes (Southeast, Midwest) and budget-conscious carriers supplementing DAT. Honest downsides: smaller total load volume than DAT, weaker mobile app, fewer integrations.
What is Truckstop?
Truckstop (formerly Truckstop.com) was founded in 1995 in Post Falls, Idaho — making it one of the oldest load boards in the industry. It operates as an employee-owned company, which shapes its culture around carrier relationships rather than shareholder returns. With over 50,000 active carriers and a network of freight brokers spanning North America, Truckstop holds the #2 position in the load board market behind DAT.
Truckstop serves carriers from solo owner-operators to mid-size fleets. Its core products are load search, Credit Stop broker payment ratings, and RateMate lane analytics. The platform also includes posting tools, load alerts, and carrier profile management. For freight brokers, Truckstop offers carrier matching and capacity tools on the opposite side of the marketplace.
Truckstop pricing tiers (2026)
Basic
$39/mo
- ✓Load search & posting
- ✓Credit Stop broker ratings (basic)
- ✓Standard lane history
- ✓Email & chat support
Owner-ops supplementing DAT or trying Truckstop for the first time
Most popular
Advanced
$109/mo
- ✓Everything in Basic
- ✓Full Credit Stop ratings
- ✓RateMate market analytics
- ✓Priority search placement
- ✓Phone support
Active owner-ops running Truckstop as primary load board
Pro
$185/mo
- ✓Everything in Advanced
- ✓Unlimited carrier users
- ✓API access & TMS integration
- ✓Dedicated account rep
- ✓Custom reporting
Small fleets needing multi-driver access and TMS connectivity
- All plans are month-to-month — no long-term contracts required on standard plans
- Credit Stop basic ratings included in Basic; full ratings from Advanced tier
- RateMate lane analytics available from Advanced tier and above
- Confirm current promotional pricing at signup — rates may vary
Truckstop pros — why carriers choose it
1Cheapest entry-level pricing among major load boards
Truckstop Basic starts at $39/month — roughly half the cost of DAT One's entry tier. For a budget-conscious owner-op who wants a secondary board without paying DAT prices twice, Truckstop is the obvious choice. The $39 plan still includes Credit Stop ratings and lane history search.
2Credit Stop broker ratings are genuinely competitive
Credit Stop is Truckstop's broker payment-history rating system. With 50,000+ carriers reporting payment data, it's one of the most reliable sources for evaluating whether a broker actually pays. Many carriers consider Credit Stop data more granular than what DAT provides at equivalent plan tiers.
3RateMate analytics tools
RateMate (included from Advanced tier) shows market rate trends, lane-specific rate history, and benchmark comparisons. Carriers use it to price loads and spot lanes trending up. It's not as deep as DAT RateView but is solid for Southeast and Midwest lane analysis where Truckstop's broker network is strongest.
4Employee-owned company culture
Truckstop has been employee-owned since its founding in 1995. This shows in how they handle carrier relationships — fewer bait-and-switch sales tactics, more responsive account management at mid-tiers. Carriers in forums frequently cite better customer service compared to DAT, especially for smaller accounts.
5Strong in Southeast and Midwest lanes
Truckstop's broker network has historically been strongest in Southeast (FL, GA, AL, TN) and Midwest (OH, IN, IL, MO) freight lanes. Carriers running these corridors regularly find loads on Truckstop not posted on DAT. Running both boards in these regions increases load access by 5–10% above DAT-only.
Truckstop cons — honest drawbacks
Smaller total broker network than DAT
DAT One has more loads posted daily than Truckstop in most national markets. If you're running OTR coast-to-coast, DAT's sheer volume advantage means more options. Truckstop is strongest as a primary board in specific regions; for pure national reach, DAT remains the category leader.
Fewer TMS and tech integrations
DAT integrates with more TMS providers, factoring companies, and back-office tools out of the box. Truckstop has made progress here with API access on Pro tier, but the integration ecosystem is smaller. Carriers running sophisticated multi-tool setups may find friction with Truckstop on certain platforms.
Mobile app weaker than DAT
The Truckstop mobile app is functional but not polished. DAT's mobile experience (especially on iOS) is smoother for on-the-go searching and load alerts. Truckstop has been improving its app, but as of 2026, carriers who rely heavily on mobile prefer DAT for day-to-day searching.
Advanced and Pro pricing jumps are steep
The gap between Basic ($39) and Advanced ($109) is significant. If you need Credit Stop ratings at full depth and RateMate, you're paying nearly 3x the entry price. Carriers who need those features should budget for Advanced from the start rather than starting Basic and upgrading.
Truckstop vs DAT — head-to-head
| Feature | Truckstop | DAT One |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level price | $39/mo (Basic) | $64/mo (DAT One Essential) |
| Daily loads posted | Smaller volume | Largest in North America |
| Broker credit ratings | Credit Stop — competitive | DAT Credit — industry standard |
| Rate analytics | RateMate (Advanced+) | RateView (included) |
| Mobile app quality | Functional but basic | Polished iOS/Android |
| TMS integrations | Limited (API on Pro) | Extensive ecosystem |
| Best regional lanes | Southeast, Midwest | All US corridors |
| Employee-owned | Yes — since 1995 | No (publicly traded parent) |
| Best for | Budget, regional, secondary board | Primary board, OTR, heavy users |
Carriers running pure-DAT may miss 5–10% of loads posted by Truckstop-exclusive brokers, particularly in Southeast and Midwest lanes. Running both boards eliminates that gap. See our full DAT vs Truckstop comparison for detailed lane-by-lane analysis.
Who Truckstop is best for
- ✓ Budget-conscious solo owner-operators
- ✓ Regional carriers running Southeast or Midwest lanes
- ✓ Carriers using DAT as primary and want a second board
- ✓ New authority carriers wanting the lowest-cost entry point
- ✓ Carriers who value employee-owned company culture
- ✓ Operators wanting Credit Stop ratings without paying DAT prices
Who should NOT use Truckstop alone
- ✗ Long-haul OTR carriers — DAT has more cross-country loads
- ✗ Flatbed, oversize, or specialty freight — use dedicated specialty boards
- ✗ Carriers needing deep TMS integration at entry-level pricing
- ✗ Mobile-first operators — DAT's app is more polished
- ✗ Large fleets needing maximum daily load volume nationally
Try Truckstop — starting at $39/month
Access 50,000+ active carriers' loads, Credit Stop broker ratings, and RateMate analytics. No long-term contract required on standard plans.
Try Truckstop →Affiliate disclosure: We earn a commission if you sign up via our link.
Truckstop FAQ
How much does Truckstop cost in 2026?
Truckstop offers three tiers: Basic at $39/month, Advanced at $109/month, and Pro at $185/month. Basic includes load search and basic Credit Stop ratings. Advanced adds full Credit Stop data and RateMate analytics. Pro adds multi-user access, API integration, and a dedicated account rep. All tiers include access to Truckstop's load board with over 50,000 active carriers.
Is Truckstop better than DAT?
DAT has a larger overall load volume and stronger OTR national network. Truckstop is cheaper at entry level ($39 vs $64/month) and is competitive or better in Southeast and Midwest lanes. Most serious owner-ops run both — DAT as primary and Truckstop as secondary — to cover Truckstop-exclusive brokers. If budget is tight and you're regional, Truckstop alone can work; for OTR or maximum coverage, use both.
Are Credit Stop broker ratings included for free?
Basic Credit Stop ratings are included in the $39 Basic plan. Full Credit Stop ratings with detailed payment history are unlocked starting with the Advanced plan at $109/month. For most carriers, the Advanced tier's full Credit Stop access is worth the upgrade over Basic, especially before taking a load from an unfamiliar broker.
Is the Truckstop mobile app good?
The Truckstop mobile app is functional for searching loads and viewing Credit Stop ratings on the go, but it is less polished than DAT's mobile app. DAT's iOS and Android apps rate higher in usability for in-cab use. Truckstop has been improving its mobile experience, but if you rely heavily on mobile searching, DAT has the edge as of 2026.
Can I cancel Truckstop anytime?
Truckstop plans are typically month-to-month with no long-term contract required. You can cancel before the next billing cycle. There are no early termination fees on standard plans. Confirm cancellation terms with their support before signing up, as promotional pricing may have commitment requirements.
Does Truckstop offer a free trial?
Truckstop occasionally offers free trial periods for new carriers — check current promotions via the affiliate link above. There is no permanent self-serve free trial, but demo access and short trials are common for new sign-ups. Contact their sales team to ask about current trial offers.
How long does Truckstop setup take?
Setup is typically same-day. After signing up, you create your carrier profile, add your MC number and DOT number, and you're searching loads within minutes. No hardware required. Credit Stop ratings are accessible immediately on Advanced and Pro plans.
Does Truckstop integrate with factoring companies?
Truckstop has factoring integrations, though the ecosystem is narrower than DAT. They partner with select factoring providers and offer quick-pay options through their platform. The Pro tier with API access enables deeper integration with external factoring and TMS tools. Check their current partner list for specific factoring integrations.
What is RateMate on Truckstop?
RateMate is Truckstop's lane rate analytics tool, included starting from the Advanced plan. It shows market rate trends, lane-specific historical rates, and helps carriers decide if a posted load is priced fairly. It's comparable to DAT RateView in concept but draws from Truckstop's carrier network data, which is strongest in Southeast and Midwest lanes.
Is Truckstop good for new authority carriers?
Yes — Truckstop's $39 Basic plan is one of the lowest-cost ways for a new authority carrier to get load board access. The barrier to entry is low, Credit Stop helps you vet brokers safely, and the Southeast/Midwest lane strength is useful for carriers building their book. Pair Truckstop with a free DAT trial for maximum coverage in your first 60–90 days.
How many loads are on Truckstop daily?
Truckstop does not publicly publish real-time load counts. Their network supports 50,000+ active carriers and a large broker community. In Southeast and Midwest markets, load density is comparable to DAT. In OTR cross-country lanes and coastal markets, DAT typically has more loads posted. Running both boards eliminates the gap.
Ready to add Truckstop to your load-finding stack?
$39/month gets you access to the #2 load board in North America. Credit Stop broker ratings. Strong Southeast and Midwest lanes. No long-term contract required.
Affiliate disclosure: We earn a commission if you sign up via our link.
Reviewed by Don Grazio · UC Bureau Compliance Lead
Don has 12+ years working with motor carriers on FMCSA compliance, including new entrant audits, MCS-150 filings, BMC-91 insurance setups, and ELD compliance. UC Bureau researches FMCSA regulations (49 CFR Parts 380–399) directly with carriers across the U.S. and Canada. Content is fact-checked against current federal regulations. UC Bureau is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Transportation or FMCSA — we provide tools and guides to help carriers stay compliant. Learn more about UC Bureau →