Amazon Relay vs Roadie vs GoShare: Which Pays a Box Truck More?
The Short Answer
Amazon Relay pays highest weekly gross ($3,800–$5,200) via volume + 7-day pay, but requires MC + $1M liability. Roadie pays best per-stop ($75–$180) for retail returns, no MC needed. GoShare pays best per-hour ($65–$110) on commercial moves in metros. Run all three simultaneously — Relay as base, Roadie/GoShare as gap fillers.
None of the three is 'best' in a vacuum. Here's what each actually pays a 26' non-CDL box truck in 2026, what it takes to get on, and how top operators combine them.
For total weekly revenue, Amazon Relay wins ($3,800–$5,200/wk) because of consistent volume. For pay per stop or per hour, Roadie and GoShare beat Relay on individual jobs — but volume is inconsistent. Top box-truck operators use Relay as the base and Roadie/GoShare to fill gaps.
Side-by-Side 2026 Comparison
| Metric | Amazon Relay | Roadie | GoShare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay per mile / stop / hour | $1.65–$2.10/mi | $75–$180/stop | $65–$110/hr |
| Typical weekly gross | $3,800–$5,200 | $1,200–$2,800 | $1,500–$3,500 |
| Payment speed | 7 days ACH | Weekly ACH | 1–3 days ACH |
| MC required? | Yes | No | No |
| Cargo insurance | $100K | $10K | $10K |
| Liability minimum | $1M | $300K | $1M commercial |
| Approval time | 5–14 days | 3–5 days | 1–3 days |
| Commission / take | 0% (rate is the rate) | 15–20% | 25% |
| Load type | Palletized/floor-loaded | Retail returns, appliances | Moves, commercial cargo |
| Geography | Nationwide | Nationwide | 70+ metros |
| Best for | Consistent OTR/regional | Suburban retail routes | Urban same-day |
Amazon Relay — The Volume Base
Relay's advantage isn't the per-mile rate — it's the utilization. A box-truck operator on Relay typically runs 2,200–2,800 miles/week vs 1,400–1,800 miles on load boards. That volume advantage more than makes up for the $0.20–$0.35/mi rate gap.
- **Best used for**: 200–500 mile regional runs, 3–5 days on the road
- **Watch out for**: OTP (on-time percentage) below 97% triggers 30-day suspension. Set alarms.
- **Upgrade path**: after 90 days at 97%+ OTP, apply for Relay Contracted lanes — dedicated freight at 8–15% rate premium
Roadie — The Local Retail Filler
Roadie is UPS-owned and mostly handles retail overflow — Home Depot deliveries, appliance drops, Walmart returns, medical devices. Best used to fill days when Amazon Relay has no attractive loads in your lane.
- **Best used for**: single-item deliveries under 50 miles, appliance drops, retail returns
- **Typical day**: 4–7 jobs, $300–$650 gross
- **Watch out for**: 'gigs' rated by star system — under 4.7 stars locks you out of higher-paying jobs
GoShare — The Metro Commercial Moves
GoShare's freight is 60% commercial (small business relocations, office moves, IKEA/Costco commercial pickups) and 40% consumer moves. Highest per-hour rate of the three, but you need to be in one of 70+ supported metros.
- **Best used for**: urban commercial moves 2–6 hours, weekend consumer moves
- **Typical day**: 2–3 jobs, $250–$550 gross
- **Watch out for**: 25% commission is the highest of the three; factor into rate comparison
The Winning Combination
Highest weekly gross I've seen from a solo box-truck operator (documented, not marketed): $6,100/week averaging Amazon Relay Monday–Thursday (regional), Roadie Friday (local retail routes), GoShare Saturday (urban moves). Total miles: 2,100/wk. Total hours worked: ~55/wk. Weekly net after fuel, maintenance, insurance, factoring: $3,400–$3,900.
The one thing that breaks the combo
All three platforms rate you on responsiveness. If you're on a 400-mile Relay run, you can't accept a Roadie same-day. Some operators solve this by running Relay only Monday–Thursday and reserving Friday–Saturday for local platforms — protects your rating on all three.
Which to Start With
- **No MC yet**: Roadie + GoShare (both accept non-MC carriers with commercial insurance)
- **Just got MC**: Add Amazon Relay immediately — application takes 5–14 days
- **Rural / small metro**: Amazon Relay only. Roadie has thin volume outside metros; GoShare not available.
- **Major metro (top 30)**: All three. Metro operators are the segment hitting $5K+/wk consistently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a CDL for Amazon Relay, Roadie, or GoShare?+
No — all three accept non-CDL 26' box trucks under 26,000 lb GVWR. You do need commercial auto insurance ($300K–$1M depending on platform) and cargo insurance ($10K–$100K).
Can I run all three at once?+
Yes, and top-earning operators do. Just don't accept overlapping time windows — a failed pickup on any platform hurts your rating everywhere.
Which platform pays fastest?+
GoShare pays in 1–3 days, Roadie weekly, Amazon Relay every 7 days. If cash flow is tight in month 1, GoShare is the bridge.
Do these platforms take taxes out?+
No — you're a 1099 independent contractor on all three. Reserve 25–30% of gross for federal + state + self-employment tax.