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Best Load Boards for Cargo and Sprinter Vans (2026)
Finding freight for a cargo van is a different problem than finding freight for a semi or even a box truck. Most national load boards are built around 53-foot trailers, so a van operator ends up scrolling past freight that does not fit. The platforms that work best for vans either specialize in expedite, post van-friendly dedicated work directly, or give you filters that cut the full-trailer loads out of the way.
By Small Fleet HQ | Updated
Side-by-Side Comparison
Company
Van Loads
Monthly Cost
Free Tier
Mobile App
Best Lane Type
#1
Sylectus
★★★★★4.3
Heavy (expedite)
Via carrier
Time-critical expedite
#2
123Loadboard
★★★★☆4.1
Strong
$35 - $80
Partials and hot freight
#3
DAT Load Board
★★★★☆4.2
Moderate (filtered)
$45 - $200+
Spot-market partials
#4
Truckstop Load Board
★★★★☆4.1
Moderate (filtered)
$40 - $150+
Vetted broker partials
#5
Amazon Relay
★★★★☆4.0
Strong (dedicated)
Free
Dedicated middle-mile
#6
Uber Freight
★★★★☆4.0
Moderate
Free
Booked-rate metro freight
#1
Sylectus
★★★★★4.3 / 5.0
Best for van operators committed to dedicated expedite freight
Sylectus is the network the expedite industry actually runs on, and a large share of cargo and sprinter van freight moves through it. It is a TMS and load-matching system used by expedite carriers, not a self-serve board you sign up for like DAT. Most van operators reach it by leasing on with or partnering with an expedite carrier that is already on the network, then taking the time-critical loads that flow through the Alliance. If your plan is to run dedicated expedite, this is the center of gravity, but understand the access model before you build a business around it.
Pros
The dominant network for cargo and sprinter van expedite freight
Time-critical loads that pay better than commodity van work
Carrier-to-carrier Alliance fills deadhead and backhaul gaps
Built around the van and straight-truck expedite world specifically
Cons
Not a self-serve board, usually accessed through an expedite carrier
Best suited to operators committed to dedicated expedite work
Setup and onboarding are more involved than a consumer board
Vans live on expedited and hot freight, time-critical partials, courier and last-mile delivery, and small LTL. Sylectus is the center of gravity for the expedite side of that, though access usually runs through an expedite carrier rather than a self-serve signup. Amazon Relay posts dedicated middle-mile work directly. The general boards earn their keep on the one-off partials you book a load at a time. If you are still setting up, our owner-operator guides cover authority, insurance, and what to line up first.
The six options below all produce real van freight, and most operators run two of them: a steady base source plus a second app to fill empty slots. Before you book anything, run the rate against your cost per mile. A full board is worthless if the loads do not clear your break-even. Compare the wider field on our load boards hub.
Common Questions
What is the best load board for cargo vans?
It depends on what you run. For dedicated expedite, Sylectus is where the freight lives, though you usually reach it by partnering with an expedite carrier already on the network rather than signing up directly. For self-serve spot freight, 123Loadboard is the most van-friendly because it filters for vans and small trucks. DAT carries the most total volume and the best rate data if you filter hard. Most van operators pair a dedicated base like Amazon Relay with a spot board to fill empty days.
Are there free load boards for cargo vans?
Yes. Amazon Relay and Uber Freight are both free and post van-friendly freight. 123Loadboard and DAT offer limited free tiers, though the useful filtering and rate tools sit behind the paid plans. Sylectus is not free in the consumer sense, since access typically runs through an expedite carrier. A workable setup for a single van is one free source like Amazon Relay or Uber Freight, paired with a paid board such as 123Loadboard when you need more lane choice.
What kind of freight do cargo and sprinter vans haul?
Vans run expedited and hot loads, time-critical partials, courier and last-mile delivery, and small LTL that does not need a full trailer. The common thread is speed and small size: a single pallet that has to be there today, a courier run, or a middle-mile route. Sylectus is built around the expedite side of that. Amazon Relay leans on dedicated middle-mile. The general boards are stronger for the one-off partial and small LTL freight you book a load at a time.
How much do cargo van load boards cost?
It ranges from free to roughly $200 a month. Amazon Relay and Uber Freight cost nothing. 123Loadboard runs about $35 to $80 a month depending on the plan. DAT and Truckstop run higher, anywhere from $40 to over $150 a month for the full toolset. Sylectus pricing comes through the expedite carrier you partner with rather than a flat consumer fee. For a single van, one paid board plus a free app usually covers it without overlapping subscriptions.
Can you make good money running cargo van loads?
You can, and expedite is where the better van money sits because shippers pay a premium for speed. Commodity van freight off a general board pays less and the margins are tighter, so the math has to be right on every load. The operators who do well treat it like a numbers game: known cost per mile, minimal deadhead, and a hard rule about not booking a load that does not clear break-even. Many pair a dedicated contract base with spot expedite to keep the van moving.
Do I need authority to run cargo van loads?
For for-hire interstate work, yes. Booking freight from brokers on DAT, Truckstop, or 123Loadboard generally requires your own MC and USDOT numbers and active insurance, because you are contracting as a motor carrier. Amazon Relay also requires a DOT number and Relay-compliant insurance. Running expedite through Sylectus under an expedite carrier may let you operate under their authority instead. If you are setting up from scratch, our owner-operator guides cover what to line up before you start booking.
Before You Start Booking Van Freight
A full board is no help if the operation is not set up. If you are still launching, our cargo van business guide covers authority, the $300,000 financial-responsibility minimum, and insurance before you book. Chasing premium expedite rates with a Sprinter? The Sprinter van business guide explains how the expedite networks pay.
Run every rate against your cost per mile before you accept it -- the load profitability tool does the math. For the wait between delivery and broker payment, factoring for expediters advances most of the invoice up front.
