Amazon Relay

Amazon Relay is a freight marketplace for carriers seeking Amazon spot loads and contract work. It is best for established carriers that qualify for Amazon’s network and want several ways to book freight without a subscription. The booking range and driver tools are useful, but access depends on approval and all loads flow through Relay’s own channel.

Overview

Relay combines a load board for one-off spot freight with Post A Truck matching, lane auctions, and single- or multi-week round-trip contracts. That range lets approved carriers pursue individual loads or work organized around a lane and a defined period. Relay shows the base rate, fuel surcharge, and toll charges before a carrier commits, making those costs easier to weigh in advance.

Completed loads are paid weekly: work completed by Saturday at 23:59 is paid the following Friday. Loads are tendered directly to approved carriers through Relay’s web portal or app, not through third-party load boards. That direct channel is central to the service, but carriers looking to source freight across multiple boards will need another option as well.

Key features

Load options and payment

Spot loads, matching, auctions, and round-trip contracts give carriers more than one way to find work. The upfront breakdown of base rate, fuel surcharge, and tolls helps operators assess a load before booking. Weekly payment has a predictable cadence, though it is not immediate: work completed by Saturday night is paid the following Friday.

Driver tools and security

Drivers can check schedules and load history, complete asset inspections, follow load instructions, and report issues in the Relay app. Truck-friendly routing accounts for truck and trailer type, road restrictions, and changing traffic, which is more relevant to commercial trips than a route built for a car. Relay Assistant provides AI-generated chat for trip support.

Amazon says it screens carrier credentials, verifies driver identity, tracks loads with 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 listed security email address. Active 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, and there is no free trial because access is already free. Its value is straightforward for carriers that qualify: load search, booking options, and mobile tools without a recurring platform charge. The trade-off is that free access does not remove the operating requirements or guarantee approval.

Platforms

Relay is available on web, Android, and iOS. Drivers can use the mobile app for schedules, inspections, load instructions, routing, and issue reporting while carriers use the portal or app to access loads.

Who it's for

Relay is a fit for carriers with 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 it is not an immediate option for a carrier that needs freight access before approval or has not met the eligibility bar.

It is less suitable as a standalone choice for operators who need a multi-source load board: Amazon tenders its loads directly through Relay rather than through third-party boards. Carriers that want Amazon-specific opportunities and can meet its requirements are better positioned to benefit.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Multiple ways to pursue work, including spot loads, matching, lane auctions, and round-trip contracts, suit different booking horizons.
• Base rate, fuel surcharge, and tolls are shown before commitment, helping carriers judge listed costs before accepting a load.
• No subscription fee, plus driver-focused routing and operational tools in the mobile app.
• Weekly payments follow a clear schedule, with Saturday 23:59 as the cutoff for payment the following Friday.

Cons

• Carriers must satisfy authority, MC number, safety, and insurance requirements, and approval can take one to three weeks.
• Loads are available through Relay’s own portal and app rather than third-party load boards, limiting its role for carriers seeking broader freight sourcing.
• Payment is weekly rather than immediate, so carriers must account for the stated payment cycle.

Alternatives

Load Board Software is a useful starting point for comparing load-board options. Consider Direct Freight instead if a free tier with three load searches per day, truck posting, matching alerts, and mileage and maps better suits a small-scale search workflow. BulkLoads is another free load-board option, with forum access, washout search, multiple users, and app access alongside load search.

Carrier 360 by J.B. Hunt may suit approved carriers who want another free platform, though some loads are not eligible for instant booking. Carrier First Management is oriented toward broker operations, with a free Broker Plan for postings, quote and bid management, carrier communications, invoicing, and documents. For owner-operators and small fleets seeking unlimited load search on a free carrier tier, Doft Load Board is worth considering.

FlatLoads offers a free board with load and truck browsing, forum access, news and industry content, and truck or classified postings. FreightLink is free for approved members and may suit those who want an all-free member platform. LaneRunner is a different fit for shippers seeking free access to load posting and private or open networks.

Verdict

Amazon Relay is a strong choice for established carriers that meet its eligibility rules and want Amazon freight, flexible booking routes, and useful driver tools without subscription costs. Its upfront load charges and range of spot and contract options are meaningful advantages. Look elsewhere if you need freight from multiple boards, cannot qualify for approval, or require a different payment cadence.