Dispatch ROI calculator
By Fernandez · Updated October 2026
See whether a dispatcher is worth it on your own numbers, including the time you get back.
Our fee for you
5%
Money change per week
$273
Net per week incl. your hours
$723
Freed-up empty miles become loaded miles at the same rate. With a 0% rate change and the same empty miles, dispatch only pays through your hours, and the sheet shows it.
On your numbers, dispatch is worth about $723 a week. Try it month-to-month.
Our dispatchers find and negotiate the loads; you approve each one and sign the rate con. 5% of gross for one truck with an MC 6 months or older, no setup fee.
Start dispatchHow it is calculated
- Week now = rate per mile x loaded miles - load board cost per week.
- Loaded miles with a dispatcher = loaded miles now, plus the empty miles saved turned into loaded miles.
- Week with a dispatcher = rate x (1 + rate change) x loaded miles with a dispatcher x (1 - our fee).
- Net per week = week with - week now + hours saved x value of an hour.
Worked example
| Item | EXAMPLE |
|---|---|
| Hours a week on boards and calls | 15 at $30 |
| Rate and loaded miles | $2.10, 2,400 a week |
| Rate change assumed | 5% |
| Empty miles now and with a dispatcher | 18% and 13% |
| Fee | 5% (one truck, MC 12 months) |
| Money change per week | about +$273 |
| Net per week incl. hours | about +$723 |
EXAMPLE assumptions. With a 0% rate change and no change in empty miles, the money change is negative and dispatch pays only through your hours.
Reading the result
If the money change is positive on its own, the fee pays for itself before counting your time. If it is negative but the net including hours is positive, you are buying time, which is a fine reason as long as you know it. If both are negative, keep the load board, or talk to us about what your lanes really pay before deciding.
Check the fee on a single load or a week with the dispatcher fee calculator, and compare loads with the load profitability calculator. For the bigger picture, see is buying a semi truck a good investment and the federal excise tax guide.
Mistakes when judging a dispatcher
- Judging on the fee alone. A low fee with no rate improvement can cost more than a higher fee that raises rates and cuts empty miles.
- Assuming a big rate jump. Try the calculator at 0% and 2% as well; if dispatch only works at 10%, be skeptical.
- Valuing your time at zero. The hours you spend on boards come out of driving, rest or home time.
- Deciding after one week. Freight swings week to week; judge on a month of weekly reports.
Try a dispatcher on your own numbers
Month-to-month, no setup fee. Leave with 30 days notice if it does not pay.