Uber Freight Expands Powerloop with Dedicated Freight Tours

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Volatility has become a constant in freight. From fluctuating spot rates to labor shortages and unpredictable diesel prices, carriers, especially small and mid-size fleets, are navigating increasing uncertainty. Meanwhile, shippers are demanding faster service, greater flexibility, and guaranteed capacity.

Drop-and-hook freight models have become a key strategy for addressing these demands, but they’ve historically been limited to large carriers with trailer pools and long-term contracts. Smaller fleets often lack the infrastructure or access to participate in these efficiency-driven models.

Uber Freight’s Powerloop sits at the intersection of two critical trends: trailer reuse and digital freight platforms. By expanding its trailer pooling program to include dedicated freight tours, Uber Freight is enabling smaller carriers to tap into network efficiencies that have typically favored larger players.

Powerloop’s trailer reuse for dedicated network

Launched in 2018, Powerloop began as a way to support drop-and-hook operations for carriers without requiring them to invest in or maintain trailers. It allowed small fleets to access preloaded trailers, cut wait times, and increase asset productivity.

Now, Powerloop is evolving with a new feature: dedicated tours. These structured, repeatable routes offer consistent lanes that carriers can opt into, replacing one-off load matching with a more predictable workflow.

This update reflects a move from flexible trailer availability to structured freight planning. Drivers benefit from faster turns and reduced wait times, while carriers improve equipment utilization and gain visibility into future earnings. In addition, the ability to plan routes and schedules more precisely allows for better operational control and reduced administrative overhead.

Breaking the access barrier

Access to consistent, high-quality freight has long been one of the biggest obstacles for small carriers. Without volume guarantees or shipper relationships, most rely on the spot market, which offers inconsistent pricing and often leads to inefficient routes.

Powerloop’s dedicated tours are designed to shift that balance. By creating predictable routes connected to Uber Freight’s trailer pool, small carriers can now access recurring freight opportunities that were previously unattainable.

Carriers reduce dwell time by exchanging trailers rather than waiting for live loads. As a result, they complete more turns per day and maximize equipment use. This drives higher productivity and lowers operating costs without requiring fleet expansion.

Additionally, carriers can choose tours that match their preferred operating style. Whether focused on short regional loops or longer hauls, the flexibility of tour options lets carriers select what works best for their business.

Building resilience through network density and operational consistency

Powerloop’s dedicated tours contribute to that resilience by building network density and improving route reliability. Instead of chasing loads across fragmented lanes, carriers enter preplanned loops with aligned pickup and delivery points.

Operational consistency also improves. Known schedules and familiar facilities reduce surprises, administrative friction, and costly delays. Drivers benefit from predictable days, and fleets can optimize their planning processes to avoid downtime and unexpected expenses.

Shippers also gain value from the model. A consistent carrier base reduces variability and enhances on-time performance. For sectors that rely on just-in-time inventory or rapid replenishment, such as retail, food, and automotive, this level of service reliability is a competitive advantage.

As the logistics sector moves further into digital, integrated systems, the idea of freight as a platform is quickly gaining ground. Powerloop’s dedicated tours illustrate what that future could look like: a system where consistent freight, shared trailer assets, and digital scheduling converge into a scalable, data-driven network.

For Uber Freight, the move strengthens its position as a full-service logistics platform, with dedicated capacity on top of its load-matching and trailer pool services, it offers a more holistic solution to both sides of the freight transaction.

Sources:

• Uber Freight