Hotshot Trucking: The Complete Guide for 2026
What it actually costs, what you actually need, and what nobody tells you about running a hotshot operation. Written by an agency that insures hundreds of hotshot truckers.
What Is Hotshot Trucking?
Hotshot trucking is hauling time-sensitive or smaller loads using a heavy-duty pickup truck (typically a Class 3-5 vehicle, like a Ram 3500, Ford F-350, or Chevy 3500) pulling a flatbed trailer — usually a 40-foot gooseneck.
The name comes from the speed: hotshot loads are typically urgent shipments that don't fill a full semi trailer. Oil field equipment, construction materials, farm machinery, industrial parts — loads that need to get somewhere fast.
Hotshot vs. Traditional Trucking — Key Differences
Hotshot
- Pickup truck + flatbed trailer
- GVWR typically 16,001-26,000 lbs
- May not need CDL (under 26,001 GVWR)
- Lower startup cost ($30K-$80K)
- Better fuel economy (8-14 mpg)
- Faster, more flexible routing
- Smaller loads, more frequent trips
Traditional (Semi)
- Class 8 tractor + 53-foot trailer
- GVWR 26,001+ lbs
- CDL always required
- Higher startup cost ($80K-$200K+)
- Lower fuel economy (5-8 mpg)
- More capacity per trip
- Larger loads, fewer trips needed
Do You Need a CDL for Hotshot Trucking?
Maybe. It depends on your combined GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).
| Combined GVWR | CDL Required? | Typical Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10,001 lbs | No (but still need USDOT if interstate) | Light-duty truck + small trailer |
| 10,001-26,000 lbs | No CDL, but need USDOT + MC number | Most non-CDL hotshot setups |
| 26,001+ lbs | Yes — CDL Class A required | Heavy-duty truck + loaded gooseneck |
The CDL Trap
Many new hotshot operators buy a 1-ton truck (GVWR ~14,000 lbs) and a 40-foot gooseneck trailer (GVWR ~14,000 lbs), thinking they're under 26,001. But 14,000 + 14,000 = 28,000 — that's over the CDL threshold. Check the GVWR sticker on your truck AND trailer before you assume you don't need a CDL. Getting caught operating without the required CDL is a serious FMCSA violation.
Equipment: What You Actually Need
The Truck
Most hotshot operators run one of three trucks:
Ford F-350 / F-450
The most popular hotshot truck. Diesel Powerstroke engines are durable and fuel-efficient for the class. F-450 gives more towing capacity without entering medium-duty truck territory.
Ram 3500 / 4500
Cummins diesel is legendary for longevity. Ram 3500 is probably the second most common hotshot truck. Some operators prefer the Aisin transmission for towing stability.
Chevy/GMC 3500
Duramax diesel is solid. Less common in hotshot than Ford and Ram, but a capable platform. Some operators like the Allison transmission for smooth towing.
The Trailer
The standard hotshot trailer is a 40-foot gooseneck flatbed. Here's what to know:
What Does It Cost to Start a Hotshot Business?
Here's the realistic breakdown. We're not going to pretend you can start for $5,000.
| Item | Low End | High End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck (used, diesel, 1-ton) | $25,000 | $55,000 | Lower if you already own one |
| Trailer (40ft gooseneck) | $5,000 | $18,000 | Used vs. new |
| Insurance (annual) | $6,000 | $15,000 | New authority = higher end |
| USDOT + MC Number | $0 | $300 | Free to apply; MC authority fee is $300 |
| LLC Formation | $50 | $500 | Varies by state |
| BOC-3 Filing | $30 | $50 | One-time |
| UCR Registration | $176 | $176 | Annual, 0-2 vehicles |
| IFTA License | $10 | $25 | If interstate |
| Drug Testing Consortium | $100 | $200 | Annual |
| CDL (if needed) | $0 | $7,000 | $0 if already have it; school is $3K-$7K |
| Securement Equipment | $500 | $2,000 | Chains, binders, straps, tarps, edge protection |
| ELD Device | $200 | $500 | Required if CDL or over 10,001 lbs GVWR |
| Operating Capital (3 months) | $5,000 | $15,000 | Fuel, maintenance, living expenses |
| Total | $37,066 | $113,751 |
Already own the truck? If you're converting your personal truck to a hotshot rig, your startup drops to $12K-$40K. That's the most common entry path — operators who already have a heavy-duty diesel truck and add a trailer and authority.
Hotshot Insurance: What You Need & What It Costs
Insurance is typically the second-largest expense after the truck itself. Here's what hotshot operators need:
Auto Liability
Federal minimum is $750,000 for carriers under 10,001 lbs. $1,000,000 is the practical minimum — most brokers and shippers won't work with you unless you carry at least $1M in auto liability. Many require $2M.
Cargo Insurance
$100,000 is the common minimum. Covers the freight you're hauling if it's damaged or stolen. Almost every load board and broker requires this. Cost depends on what you haul — general freight is cheap, specialized equipment is more.
Physical Damage
Covers damage to YOUR truck and trailer (collision, comprehensive). If you're financing either, your lender requires this. Even if you own outright, can you afford to replace a $40K truck out of pocket?
General Liability
Covers bodily injury or property damage at customer locations — not from driving, but from loading/unloading, walking on a job site, etc. Some shippers and oil field sites require this as a separate policy.
Typical Total: $6,000-$15,000/year
New authorities with clean driving records typically land at $8,000-$12,000 per year for a complete hotshot insurance package. After 1-2 years of clean operation, rates drop significantly.
Why Hotshot Insurance Costs Less Than Semi Insurance
Hotshot rigs are lighter, cause less damage in accidents, and haul smaller loads. Your truck is worth $30K-$50K, not $150K+. All of this means lower liability exposure and lower premiums. New hotshot authorities typically pay 30-50% less than new semi authorities for comparable coverage.
Finding Loads: Where Hotshot Freight Comes From
Load Boards
DAT, Truckstop.com (now Truckstop), and uShip are the main boards for hotshot freight. Most operators start here. Expect to pay $40-$150/month for a load board subscription. uShip is free but competitive on price. DAT has the most hotshot-specific loads.
Direct Shipper Relationships
This is where the real money is. Oil field service companies, construction suppliers, agricultural equipment dealers, industrial parts distributors — if you can get direct contracts with shippers, you'll earn 20-40% more per load and have more consistent freight.
Freight Brokers
Brokers act as middlemen between shippers and carriers. They take 10-30% of the freight rate. Not ideal long-term, but they provide steady volume while you build direct relationships. Popular brokers for hotshot: Coyote, Echo, TQL, CH Robinson.
Specialized Niches
Oil field hauling is the classic hotshot niche — pipes, wellhead equipment, pumps. Auto transport (with the right trailer). Construction site delivery of materials and equipment. Agricultural equipment moves between farms and dealers. The more specialized you get, the less competition and the higher the rates.
How Much Do Hotshot Truckers Actually Make?
The honest answer. Not the YouTube fantasy.
- Gross revenue: $120,000-$160,000
- Running 4-5 days/week, 48 weeks/year
- Has 2-3 direct shipper relationships
- Average rate: $2.00-$2.50/loaded mile
- Keeps truck maintained, avoids tickets
- After fuel, insurance, maintenance, taxes
- Gross revenue: $90,000-$120,000
- Running 4-5 days/week with deadhead
- Mostly load board freight
- Average rate: $1.50-$2.00/loaded mile
- Some downtime for maintenance
- After fuel, insurance, maintenance, taxes
- Gross revenue: $60,000-$80,000
- Inconsistent loads, lots of deadhead
- Taking cheap loads to stay busy
- Average rate: $1.00-$1.50/loaded mile
- Older truck with frequent repairs
- After fuel, insurance, maintenance, taxes
The Per-Mile Math
A good hotshot rate is $2.00+ per loaded mile. But that's gross. After costs:
That's $1.00 net on a $2.00 gross rate — a 50% margin. And that's on LOADED miles. Deadhead (empty) miles earn nothing but still cost fuel and wear. Your real per-mile earnings depend on your loaded-to-deadhead ratio.
7 Mistakes New Hotshot Operators Make
Ignoring the CDL threshold
They add up truck + trailer GVWR and discover they're over 26,001 lbs AFTER they've been running loads. Operating without the required CDL is a federal violation — it can shut you down, and your insurance won't cover an accident if you weren't legally licensed to drive.
Underinsuring to save money
Carrying only the federal minimum ($750K for small carriers) means most brokers won't hire you. And if you cause a serious accident, $750K disappears in minutes. Carry $1M minimum — it doesn't cost much more and it opens up 10x the available freight.
Taking every load regardless of rate
Running a load for $1.00/mile because "at least I'm moving" is a sure path to going broke. After costs, you're making $0.10/mile or losing money. Know your break-even rate and don't haul below it. An empty truck costs you money, but a cheap load costs you more when you factor in wear, fuel, and opportunity cost.
Buying too much truck
A brand-new $70K truck with a $1,200/month payment eats your profit. Most successful hotshot operators start with a used truck in the $25K-$40K range. Lower payments mean lower break-even, which means more flexibility to turn down bad loads.
No operating capital reserve
Brokers pay in 15-30 days. Fuel, insurance, and truck payments are due NOW. If you start with zero cash reserves, you're forced to factor invoices (giving up 3-5% of revenue) or take cheap loads out of desperation. Keep 3 months of operating expenses in the bank.
Ignoring securement rules
Improperly secured loads are one of the top violations at roadside inspections. Know 49 CFR Part 393 (cargo securement rules). Chain binders, straps, tarps, edge protectors — use them properly. One failed inspection tanks your CSA score and raises your insurance rates for years.
Treating it like a side gig
Hotshot trucking is a business. Track every mile, every expense, every load. File your IFTA quarterly. Maintain your DQ file. Keep your insurance current. The operators who treat it like a hobby lose money and quit. The operators who treat it like a business build something real.
Is Hotshot Trucking Right for You?
Hotshot might be right if...
- You already own a heavy-duty diesel truck
- You want lower startup costs than a semi
- You're comfortable with flatbed work (tarping, chaining, strapping)
- You want more flexibility in routing (smaller vehicle = more access)
- You're in an area with strong hotshot demand (oil fields, construction, agriculture)
- You want to test the trucking business before investing in a semi
Hotshot might NOT be right if...
- You want consistent, high-volume freight (semis are better for this)
- You hate flatbed work (loading, securing, tarping)
- You need $100K+ income from day one
- You're not willing to learn compliance and paperwork
- Your area has no hotshot freight demand
- You're looking for a "passive income" business (it isn't)
Ready to Start? Here's the Path
Check Your Equipment
Do you have (or can you buy) a 3/4-ton or 1-ton diesel truck? Can you get a 40-foot gooseneck trailer? Add up the combined GVWR to know if you need a CDL.
Get Your Authority
Apply for USDOT and MC numbers. Form your LLC. Get your BOC-3 filed. Use our New Authority Checklist to track every step.
Get Insured
Get a quote for the full package: auto liability ($1M), cargo ($100K), and physical damage. Your authority won't activate until your BMC-91 is filed. Get a free quote here.
Handle Compliance
UCR registration, IFTA license (if interstate), drug testing consortium, ELD (if required), DOT truck lettering, driver qualification file. Use our Compliance Calendar to know what's due when.
Find Your First Loads
Sign up for DAT or Truckstop.com. Start taking loads in your area. Focus on learning, building relationships, and getting reviews. The first 90 days are about survival — rates improve as you prove yourself.
Need Hotshot Insurance?
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