Amazon Relay

Amazon Relay is a free freight marketplace where carriers can find spot loads and contracts. Its load board supports searching for and booking one-off loads, while additional options include Post A Truck matching, lane auctions, and single- or multi-week round-trip contracts. Before accepting a load, carriers can see its base rate, fuel surcharge, and toll charges. Completed loads are paid weekly: work completed by Saturday at 23:59 is paid the following Friday. The Android and iOS app lets drivers view schedules and load history, inspect assets, follow load instructions, and report issues. It also provides truck-friendly routes that account for truck and trailer type, road restrictions, and traffic conditions. Drivers can request trip support through Relay Assistant, an AI-generated chat tool. Active carriers can access discounts on services and equipment, including eligible Samsara dash cams. Carrier eligibility generally requires interstate DOT authority active for at least 180 days, a valid MC number, qualifying safety metrics, and required insurance. Amazon says completed applications are typically decided within one to three weeks.

Relay combines freight booking options with driver-facing mobile tools and shows charges before a load commitment. Its eligibility criteria and application timeline are important considerations for carriers deciding whether to apply.

Amazon Relay is for carriers seeking spot freight or contracts and drivers who need load details and trip tools on mobile. Carriers should review the stated authority, safety, and insurance requirements before applying.

Amazon Relay is a freight marketplace for carriers looking for Amazon loads, with a companion app for drivers. It is best suited to established carriers that qualify for access and want several ways to book work without a subscription. The choice turns on whether Amazon freight and Relay’s eligibility requirements fit the operation.

Overview

Relay combines one-off spot loads with Post A Truck matching, lane auctions, and single- or multi-week round-trip contracts. That gives approved carriers multiple ways to pursue freight, from individual loads to work scheduled over a defined period. The marketplace is focused on loads tendered directly through Relay’s portal or app; carriers will not find its loads on third-party boards.

Before booking, carriers can see the base rate, fuel surcharge, and toll charges. That transparency helps with evaluating the stated costs before committing, while weekly payment sets a predictable cadence: loads completed by Saturday at 23:59 are paid the following Friday.

Access requires a qualifying carrier operation. Carriers generally need interstate DOT authority active for at least 180 days, a valid MC number, qualifying safety metrics, and required insurance. Amazon says completed applications are typically approved or rejected within one to three weeks, so a new applicant should account for both the eligibility bar and application wait.

Key features

Multiple booking paths

The load board supports searching and booking spot freight, while matching, auctions, and round-trip contracts broaden the ways carriers can seek work. This range is useful for operators willing to work within Amazon’s marketplace, though it does not make Relay a source of freight across other broker networks.

Driver tools and routing

The mobile app lets drivers check schedules and load history, complete asset inspections, follow load instructions, and report issues. Truck-friendly routing takes truck and trailer type, road restrictions, and changing traffic conditions into account, which makes the app relevant during the trip as well as at booking time. Drivers can also request trip support through Relay Assistant, an AI-generated chat tool.

Security and carrier benefits

Amazon says it screens carrier credentials, verifies driver identity, tracks loads through trailer telematics, and uses trailer cameras and sensors for cargo security. Carriers and drivers can report suspicious activity at any time through the operations center or the security email address. Active Relay carriers can also access discounts on services and equipment, including eligible Samsara dash cams.

Pricing

Amazon Relay: free. The free plan has no subscription fees or costs to join, but carrier requirements apply. There is no free trial because access is free, and Relay has no paid tier described here. Its value depends on qualifying and finding work through Amazon’s own channel; a free account does not remove the operating requirements.

Platforms

Relay is available on web, Android, and iOS. The web portal and mobile app support load access, while drivers can use the app for schedules, inspections, instructions, routing, and issue reporting.

Who it's for

Relay is a strong fit for established carriers that meet the authority, safety, and insurance requirements and want spot loads alongside matching, auctions, and round-trip contracts. Driver tools and upfront charges add practical value once a carrier is approved. It is a poor fit for carriers that cannot yet qualify, or those looking for loads distributed through third-party load boards.

Pros and cons

• Several ways to book freight: spot loads, Post A Truck matching, auctions, and round-trip contracts suit different booking needs.
• Charges shown before commitment: the base rate, fuel surcharge, and tolls help carriers assess listed costs before booking.
• Useful driver app: scheduling, inspections, load instructions, truck-aware routing, and issue reporting support work on the road.
• Eligibility creates a real hurdle: carriers generally need at least 180 days of active interstate DOT authority, a valid MC number, qualifying safety metrics, and required insurance.
• Amazon-only channel: loads are tendered through Relay rather than third-party boards, limiting its role for carriers seeking freight from a broader set of sources.

Alternatives

Choose Direct Freight if a limited free search allowance is sufficient: its free plan includes three load searches per day, truck postings, matching alerts, and mileage and maps, with a free trial also offered. BulkLoads is another free load-board option, with its Load Board plan listing forum access, washout search, multiple users, app access, and load search.

Carrier 360 by J.B. Hunt is worth considering for approved carriers seeking another free marketplace; some loads are not eligible for instant booking. Carrier First Management is a better match for brokers who need free load postings, quote and bid management, carrier communication, invoicing, and document tools. Doft Load Board offers carriers an unlimited free load search and is aimed at owner-operators and small fleets.

FlatLoads provides a free board with load and truck browsing, forum access, and the ability to post a truck or classified. FreightLink is free for approved members and also supports an API. LaneRunner offers shippers a free plan with unlimited load posting, private networks, and up to five picks and drops per load.

For a broader comparison, see Load Board Software.

Verdict

Amazon Relay is a compelling free option for qualified carriers that want Amazon freight, several booking formats, clear charges before commitment, and capable driver tools. Its central limitation is also clear: access depends on meeting Amazon’s carrier standards, and the marketplace serves Relay’s own freight channel. Apply if those conditions fit; look elsewhere if eligibility or a broader load-board network matters more.