Top Freight Matching Tools to Reduce Empty Miles

Contents

• The Cost of Empty Miles
• How Freight Matching Tools Work
• Key Capabilities That Drive Impact
• Leading Freight Matching Tools
• Role of ELD Devices & Dash Cams in Cutting Empty Miles
  • Ezlogz ELD Devices
  • Ezlogz SmartCam Dash Cam
  • Comparison with Other Market Options
• ROI and Impact on Reducing Empty Miles
• Case Results
• Challenges to Adoption
• The Future of Freight Matching
• FAQ

Empty miles drain profit – waste fuel – weaken sustainability targets. Trucks running empty still consume fuel, pay drivers, and wear parts without earning. Freight matching platforms attack that loss by linking capacity and demand faster – smarter – more reliably. Fleets using those tools raise load factors, cut idle time, and sharpen their edge in logistics.

The Cost of Empty Miles

Up to 30% of trucking miles are run without cargo. That’s revenue left on the table, fuel burned for nothing, wear and tear, and needless emissions. For a single truck, this can equal tens of thousands in wasted costs each year. For a fleet, the drain multiplies. Eliminating — or even substantially reducing — empty miles is not just operational hygiene but a competitive necessity.

How Freight Matching Tools Work

Carriers and shippers plug into digital marketplaces: loads are posted, trucks declare availability, and algorithms match both sides in real time. These tools bypass slow broker calls and guesswork. Drivers accept or reject loads via mobile apps. Dispatchers track everything via integrated dashboards. The result – fewer empty runs, faster backhauls, and better use of fleet assets.

Key Capabilities That Drive Impact

• Real-time visibility – live load-posting keeps trucks rolling instead of waiting.
• AI recommendations – predictive models suggest profitable backhauls and optimized routing.
• Mobile-first interface – drivers make decisions en route, reducing latency.
• TMS/ERP integration – no duplicate data entry, fewer errors, seamless workflows.
• Sustainability metrics – tracking CO₂ savings supports ESG commitments.

Leading Freight Matching Tools

Role of ELD Devices & Dash Cams in Cutting Empty Miles

Freight matching becomes even more effective when paired with accurate telematics and video systems. Ezlogz offers two solutions – ELD devices and the SmartCam dash cam – that complement freight matching by providing compliance, visibility, and safety.

Ezlogz ELD Devices

Core specifications

• FMCSA certified and mandate-compliant.
• Built-in SIM card – real-time cloud sync without relying on driver’s smartphone.
• GPS tracking with geofencing options for dispatch visibility.
• Offline logging – data is stored and synced once back online.
• Supports multiple diagnostic ports (standard 9-pin and 16-pin for Volvo/Mack).
• Automated reports – Hours of Service (HOS), fuel use, driver behavior.
• DVIR support – pre/post-trip inspection logs within the app.
• Plug-and-play installation – quick connection to diagnostic port.
• API and system integration with TMS platforms.
• AI assistant “EzChatAI” for faster insights and reporting.

Why it matters for empty miles
Freight matching platforms rely on knowing where a truck is and how many hours the driver can still legally drive. Live ELD data ensures suggested backhauls are safe and compliant. That precision lets carriers accept more loads without risking violations – reducing waste and boosting utilization.

Ezlogz SmartCam Dash Cam

Ezlogz also offers “Best Dash Cam for Truckers.”

Technical features

• Full HD / 1080p recording, optimized for day and night.
• GPS-embedded video for accurate location tagging.
• AI & motion detection – detects harsh braking, sharp turns, or collisions.
• Real-time streaming with 24/7 cloud backup.
• Rugged design – weatherproof and secure against tampering.
• Protected SIM/SD slots with anti-tamper screws.
• Dual-camera support (road + cabin).
• Quick installation and modular scaling for different fleet needs.

Why it matters for empty miles
Video data builds trust and accountability. Shippers see proof of delivery, carriers reduce disputes, and matching systems can push less conventional loads with less risk. Fewer disputes mean smoother partnerships and more consistent freight flows. Safety alerts reduce accidents and downtime, keeping trucks available for more paying miles.

Comparison with Other Market Options

ROI and Impact on Reducing Empty Miles

• More accurate matching – With real-time HOS and GPS data, backhauls are recommended with minimal risk. Carriers capture more loads instead of rejecting them for compliance reasons.
• Fewer accidents and delays – Safety alerts from SmartCam cut downtime, keeping trucks active.
• Lower dispute costs – Video evidence reduces false claims, saving money and avoiding unprofitable diversions.
• Better backhaul planning – Dispatchers use HOS data to prioritize shorter loads when drivers are near their limit instead of sending trucks back empty.
• Higher revenue per mile – Fewer empty trips and less downtime drive utilization and profitability.
• Reputation and trust – Shippers prefer fleets with strong compliance and safety systems, improving contract opportunities.

Case Results

Convoy reports up to 45% fewer empty miles with digital reloads. Loadsmart helped a fleet raise utilization by 18% in one quarter. With Ezlogz ELDs feeding real-time HOS and SmartCam ensuring safe operations, fleets push utilization even higher. One fleet combining freight matching with ELD + dash cam reduced empty miles by 30% and cut dispute costs by double digits in less than a year.

Challenges to Adoption

Upfront hardware costs, staff training, and integration work are typical hurdles. Smaller fleets may hesitate over subscriptions, while larger ones must align ELD and camera data with TMS systems. Privacy and video data security also matter. But the ROI – higher utilization, fewer wasted miles, reduced disputes – usually offsets those barriers.

The Future of Freight Matching

AI will sharpen predictive load matching. IoT and telematics will deliver live truck status with no lag. Blockchain may secure contracts and automate payments instantly. Regulators will push for reduced emissions – making freight matching tools combined with ELDs and dash cams not just cost-saving but compliance-critical. Fleets that adopt now position themselves ahead of the curve.

FAQ

Q: How do freight matching tools reduce empty miles?
A: They connect trucks with available loads in real time, using AI to recommend backhauls and consolidate partial shipments. This keeps trucks moving with cargo instead of running empty.

Q: What role do ELD devices play in reducing empty miles?
A: ELDs provide real-time Hours of Service and GPS data. Matching platforms use this information to suggest compliant loads, ensuring drivers can legally complete trips without running empty.

Q: Why add a dash cam to freight operations?
A: Dash cams like Ezlogz SmartCam reduce disputes, prove deliveries, and monitor risky driving. Fewer accidents and claims mean less downtime, which increases loaded mileage.

Q: Is Ezlogz only for compliance, or does it improve efficiency?
A: Beyond compliance, Ezlogz ELDs and SmartCams integrate with fleet systems to optimize routing, improve safety, and raise asset utilization. They directly support empty mile reduction strategies.

Q: What are the main barriers to adopting these tools?
A: Hardware costs, staff training, and integration work are common hurdles. Yet fleets typically recover these costs quickly through higher revenue per mile, reduced fuel waste, and fewer claims.

Q: Which fleets benefit most from freight matching and ELD integration?
A: Both small carriers seeking backhaul opportunities and large fleets needing scale gain value. For shippers, it ensures predictable coverage and lower costs.

Q: How do Ezlogz solutions compare with competitors?
A: Ezlogz stands out with built-in SIM connectivity, offline logging, AI safety alerts, and tamper-proof video storage. Many competitors require add-ons or lack seamless integration.