Freight brokers have become a core pillar of the U.S. transportation ecosystem. Once viewed as simple intermediaries, they now deliver expertise, technology, and cost efficiency that many shippers cannot replicate in-house. Their growing importance is reflected in industry trends: brokers handle over 20% of all U.S. trucking freight today, up from just 6% in 2000. This dramatic rise was fueled by deregulation, increasing market complexity, and the rapid evolution of logistics technology.

As freight networks become more volatile and supply chains more demanding, shippers rely on brokers not just for capacity, but for strategic support, operational efficiency, and measurable financial performance.

1. Access to a Broad, Flexible Carrier Network

Shippers tend to work with a small, curated group of carriers. Brokers, by contrast, maintain vast networks of vetted carriers across truckload, LTL, final mile, specialized, and niche markets. This network flexibility gives shippers:

• Reliable capacity in tight or disrupted markets 
• Rapid lane expansion without onboarding new carriers 
• Coverage for irregular, urgent, or seasonal freight 
• Access to small and mid-sized carriers that shippers would never reach on their own 

As brokers now move a significant share of national freight, their networks have become critical for scalability and continuity.

2. Expertise, Market Knowledge & Risk Mitigation

Brokers bring deep logistics expertise that many shippers do not have in-house:

• Carrier intelligence: Performance trends, safety scores, insurance status, specialties 
• Market monitoring: Rates, seasonal patterns, regulatory shifts, capacity changes 
• Lane strategy: Understanding where rates are rising, falling, or stabilizing 
• Risk mitigation: Carrier vetting, fraud prevention, insurance compliance, claims support 

This real-time market intelligence helps shippers secure fair pricing, avoid risk, and optimize routing—with minimal overhead.

3. Convenience and Major Time Savings

Managing freight internally is administrative, time-consuming, and often inefficient. Brokers free shippers from these burdens.

Shippers gain:

• A single point of contact, rather than managing multiple carriers 
• Administrative relief from scheduling, dispatching, paperwork, and documentation 
• Exception management, including delays, accessorial disputes, and transit issues 
• Faster resolution thanks to brokers’ continuous communication with carriers and drivers 

This allows internal teams to focus on higher-value work instead of day-to-day logistics coordination.

4. Cost Savings and Scalability (Including ROI of 10–25%)

Cost reduction is one of the strongest reasons shippers partner with brokers. Depending on freight profile and market conditions, shippers typically see:

• 10–15% average ROI when using a freight broker 
• 5–25% reduction in overall logistics costs when partnering with a broker or 3PL 

How Brokers Generate Savings

1. Extensive Carrier Networks

More carrier options mean more competitive rates and better capacity

2. Market Expertise

Brokers understand rate cycles, spot vs. contract strategies, and when to adjust modes or lanes