You just got your authority. You paid $149 for DAT One Pro. You log in excited to find your first load.

10 minutes later:

You're staring at 47,000 loads. The filters are confusing. You don't know which loads are good. You're clicking randomly, calling brokers who already booked the load 3 hours ago.

30 minutes later:

Your head hurts. You've called 12 brokers. 9 loads were already taken. 2 offered terrible rates. 1 hung up on you.

You're paying $149/month for this?

Here's the truth: DAT is the most powerful tool in trucking - but only if you know how to use it. Most new owner operators waste hours searching randomly when they could find profitable loads in 15 minutes.

This guide shows you exactly how the top 10% of owner operators use DAT to find better loads, faster.

What is DAT load board?

DAT (Dial-a-Truck) is the largest load board in North America with:

320 million loads posted annually
1.5 million loads available daily
146 million trucks posted
Used by 95,000+ carriers

Think of it as: The Amazon of freight. Brokers post loads, you search and call to book them.

Five main plans (2025-2026 pricing):

DAT One Standard: $49/month (basic search)
DAT One Enhanced: $99/month (rate tools)
DAT One Pro: $149/month (full access + RateView) ← Most popular
DAT One Select: $199/month (advanced features)
DAT One Office: $299/month (fleet management)

Prices may vary. Check DAT's website for current rates.

Which should you get? DAT One Pro minimum. RateView alone saves you thousands by showing market rates instantly.

Understanding the DAT interface

The main search screen

When you log in, you'll see:

Left sidebar (Your filters):

Equipment type
Origin/destination
Deadhead radius
Weight/length
Dates

Center (Load results):

List of matching loads
Sorted by post time (newest first by default)
Shows origin → destination, miles, rate, age

Right sidebar (Load details):

Full pickup/delivery info
Broker contact
Equipment requirements
Rate details
Broker credit score

Pro tip: Most new users only use basic filters. The real power is in the advanced options.

Setting up your basic search

Step 1: Select your equipment type

Click your equipment:

Dry Van (53' or 48')
Reefer (53')
Flatbed (48' or 53')
Power Only
Hot Shot

Important: Don't select all types hoping to see more loads. This clutters results with loads you can't haul.

Step 2: Set your origin

Current location search:

Origin: Atlanta, GA
Deadhead: 100 miles

This shows all loads within 100 miles of Atlanta.

Pro tip: Use zip codes instead of city names for precision:

Origin: 30318 (Atlanta zip)
Deadhead: 50 miles

Why? "Atlanta, GA" might center downtown, but you're in a suburb 40 miles out. Zip codes are exact.

Step 3: Set your destination (optional)

Two approaches:

Open search (find what pays best):

Leave destination blank
Filter by minimum rate per mile
See all options from your origin

Targeted search (going somewhere specific):

Destination: Chicago, IL
Deadhead: 75 miles

When to use each:

Open: When you're flexible and chasing best rates
Targeted: When you need to get home or to a specific region

Step 4: Date range

Pickup: Today to 3 days out

Why 3 days?

Today: Urgent loads (sometimes great rates, sometimes desperate brokers lowballing)
Tomorrow: Sweet spot for negotiation
2-3 days out: Most loads, best selection

Avoid: Loads more than 5 days out unless you're planning ahead. They'll be reposted 10 times with different brokers.

Advanced filters (where pros separate from amateurs)

Filter 1: minimum rate per mile

This is your most important filter.

How to set it:

Rate per mile: $2.50 minimum

What this does: Only shows loads paying at least $2.50/mile.

Your minimum rate calculation:

Your cost per mile (fuel, payments, everything): $1.80/mile
+ Desired profit: $0.50/mile
+ Negotiation cushion: $0.20/mile
= Minimum search rate: $2.50/mile

Pro tip: Set this 15-20% below your actual target. Brokers sometimes lowball the posted rate but will go higher when you negotiate.

Filter 2: age of posting

Show loads posted: Last 2 hours

Why this matters:

Loads posted 10 minutes ago: High chance still available
Loads posted 8 hours ago: Probably booked, broker hasn't removed yet
Loads posted 2 days ago: Definitely gone (or terrible load nobody wants)

The golden window: 30 minutes to 3 hours after posting.

DAT refreshes constantly. Check every 30-60 minutes during active searching.

Filter 3: full/partial loads

Load Type: Full only

Unless you're strategically building partial loads on the same route.

Why avoid partials?

Multiple pickups/deliveries = more time
More detention risk
Usually pays less per mile overall

When partials work: Two pickups in same city, both delivering to same destination region, combined rate beats a single full load.

Filter 4: exclude brokers

You can block brokers who:

Consistently lowball
Never pay detention
Are slow to pay (30+ days)
Have credit issues

How:

Settings → Blocked Brokers → Add

Pro tip: Start building this list from day one. After 6 months you'll have 50+ blocked, saving hours of wasted calls.

Filter 5: broker credit score

Minimum credit score: 3 stars (out of 4)

DAT's broker credit scoring:

4 stars: Excellent (pays on time, no issues)
3 stars: Good (reliable)
2 stars: Fair (some late payments)
1 star: Poor (avoid unless desperate)
Unrated: New broker or insufficient data

Pro tip: With DAT One Select or Office tiers, you get more detailed credit reports. Worth it if you're running high-value loads.

Using rateview (your secret weapon)

RateView shows you: What loads on that lane actually paid in the last 5-30 days.

How to access rateview

From any load:

Click the load
Look for "RateView" button
Click to see market data

What you'll see:

Atlanta, GA → Chicago, IL (53' dry van)
- Average rate: $2.85/mile
- High: $3.40/mile
- Low: $2.20/mile
- Trend: ↓ 8% (rates dropping)

How to use this information

Scenario 1: Posted rate matches market average

Posted: $2.85/mile
RateView avg: $2.85/mile

Strategy: Negotiate up. Broker expects to negotiate, they started at average. Ask for $3.10/mile.

Scenario 2: Posted rate is below market

Posted: $2.40/mile
RateView avg: $2.85/mile

Strategy: This is either a desperate broker (great opportunity) or a lowballer. Call and say: "I see market average is $2.85, I can do this for $2.90."

Scenario 3: Posted rate is above market

Posted: $3.20/mile
RateView avg: $2.85/mile

Strategy: Jump on this. Loads paying above market don't last. Call immediately, negotiate lightly, book fast.

Pro tip: RateView also shows trend arrows:

↑ Rates rising (hold out for better offers)
↓ Rates falling (book faster, it'll get worse)
→ Flat market (consistent negotiation)

Setting up alerts (work smarter, not harder)

Instead of refreshing DAT every 20 minutes, set up alerts to notify you when good loads post.

How to create an alert

Step 1: Run your ideal search

Origin: Dallas, TX (50 miles)
Destination: [Open]
Equipment: 53' Dry Van
Min rate: $2.50/mile
Posted: Last 4 hours

Step 2: Save as Alert

Click "Save Search as Alert"
Name: "Dallas $2.50+ Dry Van"
Notify: Email + Text
Frequency: Immediately

Step 3: Repeat for Key Lanes

Your alert list should include:

From your home base (open destination)
Your top 5 profitable lanes
Common delivery cities (for backhauls)

Example alert setup:

Alert 1: Dallas → Anywhere ($2.50+)
Alert 2: Dallas → Chicago ($2.80+)
Alert 3: Chicago → Dallas ($2.70+)
Alert 4: Los Angeles area pickups ($3.00+)
Alert 5: Any $3.50+ loads nationwide

Pro tip: Set a higher rate threshold for alerts than your normal search. You don't want 50 emails per hour, just the premium loads.

Alert strategy

Morning (6am-10am):

Check alerts from overnight
Search manually for today/tomorrow pickups

Midday (12pm-2pm):

Quick alert check
Search for next-day loads

Evening (6pm-8pm):

Review alerts
Book loads for 2-3 days out

You should spend 15-30 minutes per search session, not hours continuously monitoring.

Broker credit checks (avoid getting scammed)

Before calling any broker

Click on the broker name to see:

Basic info (all plans):

Credit score (1-4 stars)
Days to pay (average)
Number of loads posted

Higher tier info (DAT One Select/Office):

Full payment history
Specific complaints
Business details
Authority age

Red flags to watch for

1-star credit score - High risk of not getting paid or slow pay

"Days to pay: 45+" - They're slow, even if they do pay

New authority (less than 6 months) - Might be a scam, might be legitimate but unproven

No credit score - Could be brand new or too small to rate

"Unrated" - Proceed with extreme caution

How to verify a broker

Step 1: Check their MC number

Go to: safer.fmcsa.DOT.gov
Enter their MC number
Verify:
- Active authority
- Insurance on file
- Operating status: Active

Step 2: Google their company name

Look for scam reports
Check TruckersReport.com forum
Search Reddit r/Truckers

Step 3: Check their load history

In DAT, click broker name → View load history
Look for:
- Consistent posting (legitimate)
- Patterns (same lanes, realistic rates)
- Volume (1,000+ loads = established)

Pro tip: If you're unsure, use factoring. Factor companies vet brokers and assume the risk. Worth the 3% fee for peace of mind.

Advanced search strategies

Strategy 1: the "sweet spot" search

What top earners do:

Instead of searching origin → destination, they:

Identify 5-10 profitable lanes
Search both directions
Chain them together

Example:

Monday: Dallas → Chicago ($2.90/mile)
Wednesday: Chicago → Atlanta ($2.75/mile)
Friday: Atlanta → Dallas ($2.80/mile)

Result: Never deadhead, always profitable lanes.

How to find sweet spot lanes:

Use RateView to analyze 20-30 common lanes
Identify 10 that consistently pay $2.70+
Learn which cities always have good backhauls
Build your business around these lanes

Strategy 2: the "contrarian" search

Most truckers search:

Monday morning (for Monday pickup)
From their current location
For immediate loads

You should search:

Friday afternoon (for Tuesday-Wednesday pickup)
From your destination (booking backhaul before you deliver)
2-3 days out

Why this works: Less competition = better rates.

Strategy 3: the "regional" search

Instead of:

Origin: Los Angeles, CA
Destination: Dallas, TX

Search:

Origin: Los Angeles, CA (200 miles)
Destination: Texas (anywhere)

Why? Maybe Dallas is $2.40/mile but Houston is $2.90/mile. You'd never see Houston if you only searched Dallas.

Expand your destination by state, then use RateView to evaluate each city.

Strategy 4: the "weight" filter

Weight: 30,000 lbs or less

Why? Light loads often pay the same as heavy loads but:

Better fuel economy (saves $100-200)
Less wear on truck
Easier on equipment

When you get rate quotes, lighter loads have better margins.

Strategy 5: multi-stop consolidation

Advanced play: Stack 2-3 partial loads going the same direction.

Example:

Partial 1: Dallas → Chicago (600 miles, $1,800)
Partial 2: Fort Worth → Chicago (580 miles, $1,700)
Total: 1,180 miles combined driving, $3,500 revenue

Better than:
Full load: Dallas → Chicago (600 miles, $2,400)

Requirements:

Same delivery timeframe
Compatible freight
Extra pickup is close (within 30 miles)

Risk: More complexity, more detention risk. Only do this when both loads pay well individually.

Common DAT mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Mistake #1: Searching only your current location

The problem: You're limiting yourself to 100-mile radius while sitting in a dead zone.

The fix: Search your destination area for backhauls BEFORE you deliver your current load.

Example: You're hauling Dallas → Miami. Search Miami loads while you're still in Dallas. Book your backhaul before you even deliver.

Mistake #2: Calling loads posted hours ago

The problem: 90% of loads are booked within 2 hours of posting.

The fix: Sort by "newest first" and prioritize loads posted in the last hour.

Mistake #3: Not using RateView before calling

The problem: You accept the first offer without knowing if it's good.

The fix: Check RateView FIRST, then call. Know your number before negotiating.

Mistake #4: Searching too narrow

Bad: Dallas, TX (25 miles)

The problem: You're excluding 80% of available loads.

The fix:

Better: Dallas, TX (100 miles)
Minimum rate: $2.60/mile

Cast a wider net, filter by rate to see only good loads.

Mistake #5: Not building a blocked broker list

The problem: You waste time calling the same bad brokers repeatedly.

The fix: After every bad experience, immediately block that broker in DAT. After 3 months you'll save hours per week.

Mistake #6: Accepting posted rate without negotiating

The problem: Brokers post 15-20% below what they'll actually pay.

The fix: ALWAYS negotiate. Even if the posted rate is acceptable, ask for more. Worst case: they say no and you take the original rate.

Mistake #7: Ignoring load age

Load posted: 2 days ago

The problem: This load is either:

Already booked (broker forgot to remove)
A terrible load nobody wants
A scam

The fix: Avoid loads older than 4 hours unless it's a lane you know well and the rate is exceptional.

DAT pro tips from top earners

Tip #1: the "morning rush" strategy

Best time to find loads: 6am-9am local time

Why? Brokers post loads first thing when shippers confirm pickups.

Strategy:

Set alarm for 6am
Spend 30 minutes searching/booking
You've secured your next load before most competitors wake up

Tip #2: build broker relationships

Once you find a good broker on DAT:

Save their contact info
Call them directly (bypass DAT for future loads)
Ask: "What lanes do you run regularly?"
Become their go-to carrier for those lanes

Result: You get first call on their best loads before they hit DAT.

Tip #3: use "truck post" strategically

DAT has two sides:

Load board (you search loads)
Truck board (you post your truck)

Post your truck when:

You're in a hot market (shippers searching for trucks)
You have flexibility on destination
It's a slow day with few loads posted

How to post effectively:

Origin: Los Angeles, CA
Available: Tomorrow
Destination: Open (will go anywhere for right rate)
Minimum rate: $3.00/mile
Notes: "53' dry van, on-time, professional, references available"

Pro tip: Brokers who call YOU are sometimes more motivated = better rates.

Tip #4: save your best searches

Create saved searches for:

"Emergency loads" (high-rate, immediate pickup)
"Hometown backhauls" (getting home)
"Bread and butter lanes" (your regulars)
"Experimental lanes" (testing new routes)

Switch between them based on your situation.

Tip #5: monitor market trends

Use RateView to track:

Your top 5 lanes, check weekly:
- Are rates rising or falling?
- Is capacity tight or loose?
- Should I raise my minimums?

Adjust your filters based on market.

Example: If Dallas → Chicago was averaging $2.85 but now averages $3.10, raise your filter to $3.00 minimum.

Tip #6: the "combo search"

Search multiple equipment types if you have versatility:

Example: You have a stepdeck that can haul:

Flatbed loads
Some oversized loads
Some dry van loads (if tarped)

Run 3 searches:

Flatbed search
Stepdeck search
Dry van search (only if compatible)

More options = better rates.

What FF Dispatch does that you can't

Here's the reality: Even with this guide, you'll spend 10-15 hours per week on DAT.

That's 10-15 hours not driving.

What we do differently

1. We monitor DAT 24/7

We see loads the moment they post
We have alerts for 500+ lane combinations
We catch loads you'd miss while sleeping/driving

2. We know which loads are actually good

3+ years of data on every major lane
We know which brokers lowball
We know which lanes have hidden costs

3. We negotiate better rates

We're talking to 50+ brokers per day
We know exactly what they'll pay
We average 15-20% above posted rates

4. We do this while you drive

You're earning $200/hour driving
We're finding your next load
You're making money 24/7, not just while actively hauling

The math

Doing it yourself:

Time on DAT: 12 hours/week
Opportunity cost: $1,200/week (12 hours @ $100/hour driving)
Average rate: Market average ($2.70/mile)
Total cost: $1,200/week in lost driving time

With FF Dispatch:

We find loads while you drive
We negotiate 15% above market ($3.10/mile vs $2.70)
On $6,000/week gross = $900 better rates
Our fee (7%): $420
Net gain: $480/week + 12 hours of your life back

You make more AND work less.

Ready to stop spending hours on DAT?

DAT is powerful. But it's also a full-time job.

You became an owner operator to drive and make money, not to sit at truck stops refreshing a load board.

What if someone else did the DAT searching while you drove?

What FF Dispatch offers:

24/7 DAT monitoring - We catch loads you'd never see Expert negotiation - 15-20% above posted rates consistently Transparent pricing - 7% average, you see every rate confirmation Save 12-15 hours/week - More time driving or with family No forced loads - We present options, you decide No long-term contract - Month-to-month, cancel anytime

Our clients typically see:

$800-1,200 more per week in better rates
12-15 hours saved per week
Less stress and rejection
Consistent freight flow

The question isn't whether you can learn DAT. You can.

The question is: Is your time worth more driving or searching?

Calculate Your Potential Earnings with FF Dispatch →

See How We Monitor DAT for Clients →

Final thoughts

DAT is essential for owner operators. If you're running your own authority, you need it.

But mastering DAT takes time:

3-6 months to learn the interface
6-12 months to understand market rates
1-2 years to develop broker relationships
Ongoing work to stay on top of trends

If you want to do it yourself, this guide gives you everything you need.

But if you'd rather focus on driving while someone else handles the load searching - that's exactly what we do.

Related Posts:

Action Steps:

Sign up for DAT One Pro (minimum) at DAT.com
Set up your equipment profile and preferences
Create 5 saved searches for your key lanes
Set up alerts for premium loads
Practice negotiating using RateView data

Remember: The best load is the one that pays well AND keeps you moving. Never sacrifice profitability for utilization, or utilization for profitability. Find the balance.