Short answer
Relay rates move with demand, season and region, and the posted price is all-in (base, fuel, tolls), so it can look low next to a base rate elsewhere. Deadhead and your grade matter too: higher grades see new loads first.
Why do Amazon Relay rates look so low?
Mostly because they move, and Amazon says so. From its rates guide:
- Demand. "Rates fluctuate. Demand shifts."
- Season and region. "Seasonal demand fluctuations and regional market conditions will still impact the rates."
- Your search. "being specific with your load search filters can influence the price you see."
Amazon adds: "Live rates are provided at the time of booking." So the price you see now can differ from the same lane an hour later.
Are you comparing the right number?
Often not. The posted price on Relay is all-in: base rate, fuel surcharge and tolls together.
Compare it with your own all-in cost per mile. Don't compare it with a base rate on another board, and don't add fuel back on top. Our fuel surcharge guide explains the breakdown.
How does deadhead make a rate worse?
Amazon's rates guide lists "Distance (including length of deadhead, roundtrip, one-way)" as a price factor.
The empty miles to the pickup and back home cost you fuel and time, but the load pays only what's posted. A rate that looks fine per loaded mile can fall below your cost once deadhead is counted. Run the numbers in our free Relay load calculator.
Does your grade change what you see?
It changes access. Amazon's grades guide says A+, A and B+ carriers "get first pick of new spot loads and contracts."
Post A Truck also matches some loads before they reach the board, and higher grades are matched first. So a lower grade can mean a thinner, later board, with the better loads already gone. Amazon doesn't say a grade changes what a load pays. See our scorecard guide.
What do carriers say about Relay rates?
This part is what carriers say, not Amazon policy:
- Rates feel "take it or leave it."
- Some carriers treat Relay as backhaul filler.
- Some carriers say it pays better in peak: around Prime Day and from October to December.
Our peak season guide covers those weeks.
What can you do about low Relay rates?
Amazon gives you several ways to set your own number. Its rates guide names Post A Truck, auctions and Relay Assistant. Contracts come from its grades guide and name your price from its load board guide:
| Lever | What you control |
|---|---|
| Post A Truck | "You specify your rate per mile, and loads come to you." |
| Auctions | "You offer the rate that works for your business, and if you win, that rate is locked in for the entire contract." |
| Contracts | Weekly work at set pay, grade B or higher |
| Relay Assistant | "Top-performing carriers can negotiate rates on urgent spot loads through AI-powered chat." |
| Name your price | Offered on select spot loads |
Two more things you control: know what a lane paid before, and skip loads that don't cover your cost. Our Amazon Relay rates page shows how posted prices moved while loads sat on the board. More on each lever in our guides to Post A Truck and auctions.
Where does NudoIQ fit?
NudoIQ can't raise a rate. It helps you judge one. It's a Chrome extension for the Relay load board, independent and not affiliated with Amazon.
- Price History. Button 1 under each load opens Lane Intelligence, so you can see what that lane paid before.
- Net profit. Each load shows its net from costs you enter once.
- AutoBook. Books loads only at or above your minimum net profit, up to a Max books number you set. Only auto-book loads you can run; cancels hurt your score.
Start your free week: 7 days free, no card needed to start, then $49.99 a month. Cancel anytime.