Dispatch Support for Amazon Relay Local Drayage

Every day, freight must move from rail yards or Amazon terminals to nearby fulfillment centers (FCs), sortation hubs, or cross-dock facilities.

These local trips may span just 15 to 60 miles, but they carry tight appointment windows, and Amazon’s scorecard system penalizes even the slightest delay.

For small fleets and independent owner-operators, this creates a serious challenge. Without a dedicated dispatcher monitoring loads or coordinating across terminals, missed check-ins, delay penalties, and lost reload opportunities become all too common.

What Are Local Drayage Loads in Amazon Relay?

Amazon Relay’s local load ecosystem is built around short-range freight movements, often between major rail ramps (like BNSF, UP, or CSX) and Amazon-operated facilities.

These loads are typically:

• Picked up from rail yards, terminals, or drop lots

• Delivered to Amazon Fulfillment Centers, sortation facilities, or staging areas

• Tightly scheduled with appointment windows, often in the early morning, late night, or within same-day reload loops

  
  

Unlike long-haul lanes that offer buffer zones and flexible drive time, local drayage relies on speed, precision, and responsive dispatching.

With hundreds of loads flowing through Relay’s board daily, the key to success isn’t just booking; it’s executing with discipline.

Common Challenges in Amazon Drayage

When it comes to local Amazon freight, even minor delays can have significant consequences. 

From missed appointment windows to wasted driver hours and lost reload opportunities, the system leaves little room for error.

Here’s how our Amazon Relay Dispatch tackles the most common drayage challenges:

Challenge	How We Solve It
Delays at terminal gates	We provide real-time GPS tracking and maintain early check-in protocols to reduce dwell time and avoid missed time slots.
Overnight loads missed	Our 24/7 dispatch team ensures night and weekend loads are actively monitored. We also keep backup driver rosters ready for recovery.
Deadhead miles	We route based on HOS-aware logic, buffer scheduling, and ELD-integrated planning to prevent costly violations or missed reloads.
Deadhead miles	Our dispatchers stack loads within 25-mile zones, reducing deadhead and boosting your revenue-per-hour.
Detention	We proactively log arrival/departure timestamps, track delays, and negotiate detention pay with brokers or Amazon to ensure you're paid fairly.

We’re building systems to prevent them before they happen.

Our Amazon Relay Dispatch Process (Step-by-Step)

Our process is designed to match the speed and discipline of Amazon’s logistics network.

Whether you're a single truck operator or managing a 10-truck fleet,  our Amazon Relay Local Movements Dispatching model treats every local move like a time-sensitive mission.

1. Load Sourcing

   • We monitor the Amazon Relay Load Board (DNR) and maintain direct broker/terminal contacts to secure the best-paying short-haul loads.

     
     

2. Driver Matchmaking

   • Each load is matched with a driver based on proximity, equipment type (53’ dry van, chassis, etc.), and current HOS availability.

     
     

3. Rate Confirmation & App Setup

   • We finalize the rate instantly and ensure drivers are prepped with the Amazon Relay app, geofencing toggled, and load info synced.

     
     

4. Pre-Check Protocol

   • We confirm:

     • TWIC card (if needed)

     • Chassis availability or compatibility

     • Accessorial requirements

     • Paperwork readiness

       
       

5. Live Tracking & Communication

   • Our dispatchers provide real-time updates, driver alerts, and inbound appointment monitoring.

     
     

6. POD Collection & Invoice Submission

Once the load is delivered, we collect and verify proof of delivery, and then upload the documents directly into your system or the Amazon Relay portal.

This structured flow ensures every load is tracked, documented, and optimized from the terminal gate to the Amazon dock door.

The Amazon Relay Dispatch Advantage

We help you build a winning operation inside Amazon Relay’s ecosystem. Our dispatch model is tailored for high-volume, time-sensitive, short-haul loads, ensuring you stay compliant, profitable, and always ready for the next opportunity.

Here’s what sets us apart:

Amazon Intermodal Mastery – 53’ Prime Rails (Chicago IL)

We specialize in Amazon Prime 53 ft intermodal containers moving through Chicago’s busiest terminals

Live Dispatch Coverage

We operate when your loads move, overnight, weekends, and holidays included. You’ll never miss a load or lose a reload window because your dispatcher “logged off.”

Amazon Relay Expertise

We live and breathe Amazon’s system, from scorecard optimization and Relay board filtering to appointment management and reload strategies. We know the rules and how to play to win.

Load Recovery & Reassignment

Missed check-in? Unexpected chassis issue? Our team handles rapid rerouting and recovery, tapping into backup driver networks and terminal contacts to get your load back on track.

Driver Coaching & HOS Compliance

We coach drivers on Relay procedures, HOS strategy, and paperwork perfection, so your operation runs smooth, and your rating stays high.

Drayage-Specific Routing Logic

We dispatch with local density in mind, stacking loads near terminals to minimize deadhead and maximize your CPM, even on short hauls.

Ready to Run Local Drayage the Right Way?

At Amazon Relay Dispatch, we help Amazon Relay carriers stay sharp, score high, and earn more, load after load.

Need a reliable Amazon Relay local dispatch?

Book Your Free Dispatch Consultation

FAQs

What’s the difference between Amazon local and Amazon long haul?

Local Amazon loads are short-haul movements—typically under 100 miles—between terminals, rail yards, and Amazon facilities. Long haul covers longer inter-state lanes with more flexible appointment windows.

Do you handle rail yard pickups overnight?

Our dispatch team operates 24/7 and specializes in terminal-to-facility loads—including late-night pickups at BNSF, CSX, UP, and Amazon drop lots.

Can you recover a missed local load?

Absolutely. We maintain standby drivers, rerouting protocols, and close contact with brokers to recover or reassign missed loads fast—often within 30–60 minutes.

How do you help prevent HOS violations?

We dispatch based on real-time ELD visibility, buffer windows, and route timing that accounts for delays. We’ll never push a load that risks compliance—and we’ll coach your drivers through Amazon’s check-in and Relay app rules.

What if my driver doesn’t have a TWIC card or chassis access?

We pre-screen every load and match it to drivers who meet the specific credential, equipment, or yard access requirements. No guesswork. No risk.