There are two basic ways to buy truckload capacity: lock it in ahead of time at a contract rate, or buy it on the open market one load at a time. Dedicated and spot truckload each have a place, and most shippers end up using both. The right mix depends on how predictable your freight is and how much rate risk you can absorb.
This guide explains both, compares them side by side, and gives you a simple way to decide. For how truckload pricing is built in the first place, see our guide to full truckload rates.
Dedicated truckload locks in guaranteed capacity at a fixed contract rate, best for consistent, high volume lanes. Spot truckload buys capacity at the live market rate, best for overflow, seasonal, or one off loads. Most shippers use dedicated for their core lanes and spot for everything else.
What Is Dedicated Truckload?
Dedicated truckload means a carrier commits specific equipment and capacity to your freight on agreed lanes, usually under a contract. You get predictable pricing, guaranteed trucks, and consistent service in exchange for committing steady volume. It is the right model when you ship the same lanes regularly and need to budget freight cost with confidence.
What Is Spot Truckload?
Spot truckload is capacity bought on the open market for a single load at the current rate. Prices move with supply and demand, so spot can be cheaper than contract when capacity is loose and more expensive when it is tight. Spot is ideal for overflow beyond your contracted volume, seasonal surges, new lanes, and one off shipments.
Dedicated vs Spot, Side by Side
The trade off comes down to price stability versus flexibility.
Dedicated buys predictability and guaranteed trucks. Spot buys flexibility and can win on price in a soft market, at the cost of rate volatility and no capacity guarantee when the market tightens.
How to Choose, or Blend Both
Use dedicated for your consistent, high volume core lanes where a capacity failure would hurt, and use spot for everything that is variable. Many shippers run a blended program: contracted dedicated capacity for the base, spot for overflow and seasonal peaks. A freight broker can manage both sides and shift between them as the market moves. Our guide to truckload cost per mile shows how the underlying rate is built either way.
Building a truckload program?
Tell us your lanes and volume. We will help you mix dedicated and spot capacity for the best balance of price and reliability.
Request an FTL QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Is spot or dedicated truckload cheaper?
It depends on the market. Spot can be cheaper when capacity is loose, but it costs more when capacity tightens. Dedicated trades the chance of a low spot rate for a stable, predictable price and guaranteed trucks.
When should I use dedicated capacity?
Use dedicated when you ship consistent volume on the same lanes and need predictable pricing and guaranteed equipment. The steadier your freight, the more a dedicated commitment pays off.
Can I use both dedicated and spot?
Yes, and most shippers do. A common approach is dedicated capacity for core high volume lanes and spot for overflow, seasonal surges, and one off shipments.
Does a broker help with dedicated and spot?
Yes. A broker can secure contracted dedicated capacity, cover spot loads from a vetted carrier network, and move volume between the two as rates and demand shift.
Get the Right Capacity Mix With MFW
The best truckload program balances the predictability of dedicated with the flexibility of spot. MyFreightWorld helps shippers structure both. Visit the truckload freight hub or request a quote to get started.
Want predictable truckload capacity?
Send your lanes and volume and we will recommend the right dedicated and spot mix with competitive pricing.
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