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If you own a truck or run a small carrier business, you've probably heard about Amazon Relay. But is it actually worth your time? What does it pay? And how do you even get started? This guide covers everything you need to know about Amazon Relay in 2025 — real numbers, real driver experiences, and honest pros and cons.
What Is Amazon Relay?
Amazon Relay is a free logistics platform built by Amazon that connects trucking companies directly with Amazon's freight network. Instead of going through brokers or middlemen, carriers can book loads going in and out of Amazon fulfillment centers directly through the Relay app or website.
It's available for box trucks, dry vans, containers, and reefers. There's no fleet size restriction — a single truck owner-operator and a company with 500 trucks can both sign up and use the same platform. Amazon has facilities in every US state, which means loads are available almost everywhere.
The platform is completely free to join. There are no subscription fees, no percentage cuts taken from your earnings, and no hidden charges. You sign up, get approved, and start booking loads.
How Does Amazon Relay Work?
The basic process is straightforward once you understand it:
Step 1 — Sign Up Online
Go to relay.amazon.com and create a carrier account. You'll need your DOT number, MC number, and insurance details ready. The application is done entirely online and takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.
Step 2 — Wait for Approval
Amazon reviews every application carefully. Approval typically takes 1 to 3 weeks. The most common reason for delays is insurance verification — make sure your certificate of insurance is current and meets Amazon's requirements before applying.
Step 3 — Browse and Book Loads
Once approved you get full access to the load board. Every load shows the origin, destination, distance, pay rate, and pickup time upfront before you commit. You choose what works for your schedule and your routes.
Step 4 — Check In Through the App
When you arrive at an Amazon facility, you check in through the Relay app. The app tells you exactly which gate and dock door to go to. This alone saves significant time compared to the traditional guard shack check-in process at most facilities.
Step 5 — Complete the Load and Get Paid
Deliver the load, confirm through the app, and get paid. Amazon pays weekly — everything completed before Saturday midnight gets paid the following Friday, with no fees deducted to receive your payment on time.
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Three Ways to Get Loads on Amazon Relay
Amazon Relay gives carriers three different options for finding and booking freight, which sets it apart from traditional load boards:
Post A Truck
You set your minimum rate per mile and your preferred lanes, and Amazon automatically matches you with loads that meet your criteria. Loads come to you instead of you hunting for them. This is popular with carriers who want consistency and don't want to spend time browsing the load board manually.
Lane Auctions
You bid on multi-week contracts. If you win, the rate is locked in for the entire contract period — giving you payment stability and the ability to plan your schedule weeks in advance. To participate in auctions you need a C+ performance grade or higher. Reefer auctions require at least a B grade.
Relay Assistant
Top-performing carriers can negotiate rates on urgent spot loads through an AI-powered chat system. You request a rate, and if approved, you book the load immediately. This option is only available to carriers who maintain high performance scores.
What Does Amazon Relay Actually Pay?
This is the question every carrier wants answered before signing up. Here are the real numbers:
During regular freight conditions, rates on Amazon Relay average between $1.39 and $1.68 per mile. During peak season — which runs from October through January covering Prime Days, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas — rates can exceed $3.00 per mile.
In terms of weekly earnings, owner-operators on Amazon Relay report average weekly pay of around $4,395, with a range of $2,400 to $6,500 per week depending on how many miles they run and how efficiently they operate. Cargo van owner-operators generally earn between $70,000 and $80,000 per year, with top earners making over $100,000 annually on full schedules.
One important thing to factor in: the average cost to operate a truck is around $2.26 per mile when you account for fuel, insurance, and maintenance. At $1.60 per mile on a slow week, your take-home after expenses can be tight. At $3.00+ during peak season, the math looks much better.
Peak season is genuinely significant. Amazon's load board normally has around 15,000 loads available daily. During the Christmas rush that number can jump to over 25,000 loads per day — meaning more work and better rates at the same time.
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Requirements to Join Amazon Relay
Amazon has specific requirements that every carrier must meet before getting approved:
- Active DOT authority for a minimum of 180 days
- Valid MC number authorized for property and for hire
- FMCSA safety rating of Satisfactory, None, or Not Rated
- Performance score of 60% or higher across key metrics
- Commercial General Liability insurance — minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate
- Auto Liability insurance — minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence with $50,000 trailer replacement coverage
If your DOT authority hasn't been active for 180 days yet you can still apply — Amazon will keep you updated on program news while you wait to become eligible.
Perks Beyond the Pay
Amazon Relay comes with some additional benefits that don't show up in the per-mile rate:
Free dash cams. Approved carriers can receive free dash cams through the program, which is a real cost saving since quality dash cams run $200-400.
Per-mile safety rewards. Carriers who maintain good safety scores earn additional per-mile bonuses on top of their load pay.
Fuel and tire discounts. Amazon has partnerships that give Relay carriers discounts on fuel and tires — two of the biggest ongoing expenses in trucking.
Round-trip loads. Most Relay contracts are already structured as round-trips, starting and ending at the same location. This eliminates deadhead miles and unpaid driving.
What Real Drivers Say About Amazon Relay
The reviews from actual carriers and drivers are mixed, which is worth knowing before you sign up:
What drivers like: The app-based check-in at facilities is consistently praised. Drivers report it's significantly faster than traditional guard shack processes. Weekly payment with no fees is also popular. Carriers who maintain high grades say the load availability is consistent and the schedule flexibility is genuine.
What drivers don't like: Outside of peak season, rates can feel low compared to the spot market. Some drivers report that Amazon occasionally cancels loads with little notice. Customer support through the app gets criticized — issues and disputes are handled via email and tickets rather than phone calls, which frustrates carriers when problems arise.
The general consensus from experienced truckers is that Amazon Relay works best as part of a broader freight strategy rather than your only source of loads. Use it to fill gaps, lock in consistent contract lanes, and maximize earnings during peak season — but don't rely on it exclusively year-round.
Tips to Maximize Your Earnings on Amazon Relay
Protect your performance score. Your grade affects which loads you can access and whether you can bid on auctions. Missing appointments and cancelling loads hurts your score fast. Keep it high and more opportunities open up.
Use contracts over spot loads when possible. Spot loads give flexibility but rates fluctuate. Contracts lock in your rate for weeks at a time, which makes business planning much easier.
Plan around peak season. October through January is when the real money is made on Relay. Many experienced carriers use this period to stack earnings and supplement slower months.
Use the reloads feature. The Relay app suggests reload loads from your current destination, helping you find your next load before you've even finished delivering. This reduces deadhead and keeps your truck moving.
Don't rely on Relay alone. Use other load boards alongside Relay. Having multiple options protects you when Amazon load availability drops in your area.
How to Get Started with Amazon Relay
- Go to relay.amazon.com on desktop or download the app on iOS or Android
- Click "Sign up as a carrier" and create your account
- Enter your DOT number, MC number, and company details
- Upload your current insurance certificate
- Complete the short online courses in Relay's Learning Center after approval
- Start browsing the load board and booking your first loads
Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Relay
Is Amazon Relay free to join?
Yes. There is no cost to sign up or use the platform. Amazon does not charge carriers any fees or take a percentage of their earnings.
How long does Amazon Relay approval take?
Typically 1 to 3 weeks. The most common delay is insurance verification. Having your insurance certificate ready and current speeds up the process significantly.
What vehicles are eligible for Amazon Relay?
Box trucks, dry vans, containers, and reefers are all eligible. Both power-only and trailer-provided loads are available depending on what equipment you run.
Does Amazon Relay work for small carriers?
Yes. There is no minimum fleet size. Single truck owner-operators use the platform alongside companies with hundreds of trucks. Amazon welcomes carriers of all sizes.
When does Amazon Relay pay carriers?
Amazon pays weekly. Loads completed before Saturday midnight are paid the following Friday. There are no fees to receive your payment within the standard weekly cycle.
Can I use Amazon Relay alongside other load boards?
Absolutely — and most experienced carriers recommend it. Using Relay alongside other platforms gives you flexibility and protects your income when Amazon load availability in your area drops.
Final Thoughts
Amazon Relay is a legitimate and useful tool for carriers who want consistent access to freight, faster facility check-ins, and reliable weekly payment. The rates outside of peak season are not always spectacular, and customer support could be better — but the platform itself is well-built and the load volume is real.
For owner-operators and small carriers building their business, it's absolutely worth signing up. The application is free, the process is straightforward, and at minimum it gives you one more solid option for finding freight.
If you're running near Amazon facilities and haven't signed up yet, there's no good reason to wait. Get your paperwork in order and submit your application at relay.amazon.com today.
Have questions about Amazon Relay or want to share your experience as a carrier? Drop a comment below — we'd love to hear how it's working for you.