A freight researcher finds and checks freight opportunities so that trucking companies and brokers can make better decisions. The researcher looks at lanes, shippers, brokers and rates, and turns what they find into practical recommendations. This guide explains what the role involves, how to learn it and how to offer the service.
What a freight researcher does
A freight researcher studies the market around a carrier's trucks or a broker's customers. Typical tasks include:
- Reviewing which lanes a carrier runs and where its trucks end up empty
- Finding shippers and brokers that move freight in those lanes
- Checking recent rates so the carrier or broker knows what a load should pay
- Vetting brokers and carriers for authority, insurance and payment history
- Matching loads to the right equipment, weight and schedule
The goal is better freight decisions: less deadhead, steadier lanes and fewer surprises.
How to research lanes, shippers and rates
Research lanes
- List the lanes each truck runs now, including where it starts and where it usually ends up empty.
- Note which delivery areas have good outbound freight and which leave trucks sitting or deadheading.
- Look for lanes that connect, so one load sets up the next.
Research shippers and brokers
- Identify shippers and receivers in the carrier's main areas that use the carrier's equipment type.
- Find brokers who regularly post freight on those lanes.
- Check each broker's authority, insurance and payment history before recommending them.
Research rates
- Use load board rate tools, such as those on DAT and Truckstop, to see recent rates for each lane.
- Compare those rates with the truck's operating cost so you can tell a load that pays from one that only fills the day.
- Watch how rates change by season and region.
Keep up with regulations
- Know the federal rules that affect freight decisions, including hours of service and size and weight limits, and check state rules for the areas your carriers run. Start with FMCSA.
Build relationships
- Talk regularly with carriers, brokers and shippers. Much of the most useful information comes from conversations, not boards.
How to learn the role
- Get trained. Freight University teaches freight research as part of its Professional Logistics Service Provider (PLSP) program, a course that runs about three months, with virtual live sessions every week.
- Earn the certification. Completing the program and passing the assessment earns the PLSP certification, which shows clients you've been trained.
- Set up a proper home office. You'll need a reliable computer, a stable internet connection and a dependable phone line. See home office equipment for a freight broker.
Working with brokers
Brokers need reliable carriers and good pricing. A freight researcher can help a broker:
- Find qualified carriers. Identify carriers with the right equipment, experience and safety record for a lane.
- Price loads. Pull recent lane rates and give the broker a reasonable range.
- Reduce office work. Help with carrier outreach and load follow-up so the broker can focus on customers.
Working with trucking companies
You can also work directly for trucking companies, under a written agreement that sets your fee and duties. For a carrier, a researcher can:
- Find suitable freight. Identify loads and lanes that fit the carrier's trucks and keep them moving.
- Find steady freight. Research shippers and brokers who move freight regularly in the carrier's lanes, so the carrier can pursue ongoing work.
If you go beyond research and start arranging loads for carriers for a fee, read are truck dispatchers legal? first. That article explains where the federal rules draw the line between a carrier's agent and a broker.
Working remotely
With a good phone system and a reliable internet connection, most freight research can be done from a home office.
How technology fits in
Load boards, rate tools and data services make research faster. They don't replace judgment. Knowing a carrier's situation, understanding why a lane works and building trust with brokers and shippers are still the core of the job.
Offering your services
Pick a focus
- Trucking companies. Focus on an equipment type, such as dry van, reefer or power only, and learn those markets well.
- Freight brokers. Work with brokers who specialize in certain lanes or commodities.
- Logistics companies. Offer carrier sourcing and lane research to companies that manage freight for shippers.
Show your value
- Track results. Keep simple records for each client, such as loaded miles versus empty miles and rates compared with the lane average, so you can show what changed.
- Offer clear packages. Lane studies, carrier sourcing or ongoing weekly research are easy for clients to understand.
- Share what you learn. Pass along market changes and rule updates that affect your clients.
Next steps
To learn freight research properly, start at Freight University. If you're a carrier looking for this service, see LFS freight research.
Logistical Forwarding Solutions. A carrier-first company.
