September 19, 2025 • 4 mins
Discover what makes the best freight dispatchers stand out in the trucking industry in this engaging podcast episode. Learn how great dispatchers balance revenue per mile, reduce deadhead, and build strong relationships with drivers and brokers. Host Daniel shares real-world stories, including how a single smart decision turned a driver’s week from break-even to profitable. Whether you’re a fleet owner, independent dispatcher, or truck driver, this episode gives you actionable tips to improve efficiency, boost profits, and keep trucks moving. Perfect for anyone looking to understand the vital role dispatchers play in logistics and how to become the best.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Best Freight Dispatchers, the show that dives into
the heart of logistics and explores what it really takes
to keep freight moving drivers happy and trucking businesses profitable.
I'm your host, Daniel, and to day we're answering a
big question. What makes a freight dispatcher truly the best? Now?
(00:20):
A lot of people think dispatching is just sitting in
front of a load board all day and clicking book now,
but if you've been in this business for more than
five minutes, you know it's not that simple. Dispatching is strategy, negotiation,
relationship building, and problem solving all rolled into one. Let
(00:41):
me take you back to a real moment from my
dispatching career. It was a Thursday morning and one of
my drivers, Mike, called me from Oklahoma City. He was empty,
he dee been sitting for hours, and he was frustrated.
On my screen. I had three options. Book a cheap
(01:02):
load to Houston that barely covered his fuel dead, had
him one hundred and twenty miles north into Kansas City,
where rates were higher, waited out in hope something better
popped up in Oklahoma, which meant risking another half day
of sitting, I crunched the numbers, factored in fuel costs,
dead head miles, and checked weather conditions because a storm
(01:25):
was brewing in the Midwest. After a few minutes, I
told Mike we were dead heading north. He wasn't he happy.
No driver likes running empty, but I assured him it
would pay off, and it did. Two hours later, we
landed a load that paid thirty percent more than the
first option and delivered him into a market where I
(01:46):
already had a return load lined up. That single decision
turned his entire week profitable, and here as the key.
It kept him trusting me as his dispatcher. That is
what separates good despatcher from great ones. The best freight
dispatchers are decision makers. They think two loads ahead. They
(02:08):
understand not just today s rate, but tomorrow s market.
They balance driver's satisfaction with profit margins. So what qualities
make someone the best freight dispatcher? Let s break it down.
One market knowledge. The best dispatchers know their lanes. They
(02:29):
follow load to truck ratios, seasonal trends, and even fuel
price changes. They don't just react, they plan ahead. Two
communication skills They keep drivers informed. A great dispatcher tells
a driver why they're taking a particular load, not just
where to pick it up. This builds trust and keeps
(02:52):
drivers motivated. Three problem solving ability. In trucking, things go wrong,
loads cancel, trucks break down, weather delays happen. The best
dispatchers stay, come and find solutions fast. Four focus on numbers.
They track revenue per mile, dead head percentage, and weekly earnings.
(03:16):
They know exactly how small changes, even a five percent
higher average rate, can mean thousands of extra dollars a month.
Five driver centric mindset. Finally, they understand that drivers are
the backbone of the business. Happy drivers stay longer, work harder,
and keep trucks rolling. If you're a trucking company owner,
(03:39):
here as the take away, A skilled dispatcher is an investment,
not an expense. Putting the right person in charge of
your trucks can raise your revenue per truck per week
by thirty to forty percent. I've seen it happen. And
if you're a driver listening to this, remember, a great
dispatcher is your business partner. They're not just booking loads,
(04:02):
they're helping you run a profitable trucking business. That asset
for today s episode of Best Freight Dispatchers. If you've
found this helpful, share it with another driver, fleet owner,
or dispatcher who could benefit. And don't forget to subscribe
so you don't miss the next episode, where we'll dive
(04:22):
deeper into how to build long term relationships with brokers
and shippers. Until next time, keep your wheels turning and
your freight moving
Welcome to Best Freight Dispatchers, the show that dives into
the heart of logistics and explores what it really takes
to keep freight moving drivers happy and trucking businesses profitable.
I'm your host, Daniel, and to day we're answering a
big question. What makes a freight dispatcher truly the best? Now?
(00:20):
A lot of people think dispatching is just sitting in
front of a load board all day and clicking book now,
but if you've been in this business for more than
five minutes, you know it's not that simple. Dispatching is strategy, negotiation,
relationship building, and problem solving all rolled into one. Let
(00:41):
me take you back to a real moment from my
dispatching career. It was a Thursday morning and one of
my drivers, Mike, called me from Oklahoma City. He was empty,
he dee been sitting for hours, and he was frustrated.
On my screen. I had three options. Book a cheap
(01:02):
load to Houston that barely covered his fuel dead, had
him one hundred and twenty miles north into Kansas City,
where rates were higher, waited out in hope something better
popped up in Oklahoma, which meant risking another half day
of sitting, I crunched the numbers, factored in fuel costs,
dead head miles, and checked weather conditions because a storm
(01:25):
was brewing in the Midwest. After a few minutes, I
told Mike we were dead heading north. He wasn't he happy.
No driver likes running empty, but I assured him it
would pay off, and it did. Two hours later, we
landed a load that paid thirty percent more than the
first option and delivered him into a market where I
(01:46):
already had a return load lined up. That single decision
turned his entire week profitable, and here as the key.
It kept him trusting me as his dispatcher. That is
what separates good despatcher from great ones. The best freight
dispatchers are decision makers. They think two loads ahead. They
(02:08):
understand not just today s rate, but tomorrow s market.
They balance driver's satisfaction with profit margins. So what qualities
make someone the best freight dispatcher? Let s break it down.
One market knowledge. The best dispatchers know their lanes. They
(02:29):
follow load to truck ratios, seasonal trends, and even fuel
price changes. They don't just react, they plan ahead. Two
communication skills They keep drivers informed. A great dispatcher tells
a driver why they're taking a particular load, not just
where to pick it up. This builds trust and keeps
(02:52):
drivers motivated. Three problem solving ability. In trucking, things go wrong,
loads cancel, trucks break down, weather delays happen. The best
dispatchers stay, come and find solutions fast. Four focus on numbers.
They track revenue per mile, dead head percentage, and weekly earnings.
(03:16):
They know exactly how small changes, even a five percent
higher average rate, can mean thousands of extra dollars a month.
Five driver centric mindset. Finally, they understand that drivers are
the backbone of the business. Happy drivers stay longer, work harder,
and keep trucks rolling. If you're a trucking company owner,
(03:39):
here as the take away, A skilled dispatcher is an investment,
not an expense. Putting the right person in charge of
your trucks can raise your revenue per truck per week
by thirty to forty percent. I've seen it happen. And
if you're a driver listening to this, remember, a great
dispatcher is your business partner. They're not just booking loads,
(04:02):
they're helping you run a profitable trucking business. That asset
for today s episode of Best Freight Dispatchers. If you've
found this helpful, share it with another driver, fleet owner,
or dispatcher who could benefit. And don't forget to subscribe
so you don't miss the next episode, where we'll dive
(04:22):
deeper into how to build long term relationships with brokers
and shippers. Until next time, keep your wheels turning and
your freight moving
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