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How Do Hotshot Truckers Find Loads?

The most common question from new hotshot operators: where do the loads come from? Your truck doesn’t make money sitting in the driveway. Here’s every method for finding freight, ranked from easiest to most profitable.

1. Load Boards (Easiest to Start)

Load boards are online marketplaces where brokers and shippers post available freight. You search by location, destination, and equipment type.

Top Load Boards for Hotshot

• DAT Load Board — The biggest and most used. $45-150/month depending on plan. Most loads available here
• Truckstop.com — Second largest. Good rate negotiation tools. $35-150/month
• Direct Freight — Budget option at $20-35/month. Fewer loads but decent for starting out
• 123Loadboard — Another budget option. Good mobile app

Start with DAT or Truckstop. The extra cost pays for itself with better load selection.

2. Dispatchers (Easiest but Most Expensive)

A dispatcher finds loads for you, negotiates rates, and handles paperwork. You just drive.

• Cost: 10-25% of each load’s gross pay
• Pros: Zero effort finding loads, good for beginners, they know the market
• Cons: Expensive long-term, you’re dependent on them, some are terrible

Warning: Vet your dispatcher carefully. Bad dispatchers book cheap loads and pocket their percentage while you lose money. Ask other drivers for recommendations.

3. Freight Brokers (Middle Ground)

Brokers are middlemen between shippers and carriers. They post on load boards but you can also build direct relationships with them.

• Build relationships with 5-10 good brokers
• Be reliable — deliver on time, communicate well
• They’ll start calling YOU with loads once you prove yourself
• Better rates than load board spot market over time

4. Direct Shippers (Most Profitable)

This is the endgame. Shipping directly with the company that needs freight moved eliminates the broker’s cut entirely.

• How to find them: Visit industrial parks, construction sites, manufacturing plants. Talk to shipping managers
• Benefits: Best rates, consistent freight, no middleman fees
• Challenge: Takes time to build relationships and prove reliability

Even 2-3 direct shipper relationships can keep your truck loaded consistently and profitably.

Tips for Getting Better Loads

1. Build your reputation — On-time delivery and good communication get you repeat business
2. Know your lanes — Specialize in specific routes. You’ll learn where the freight is
3. Avoid deadhead — Always look for a return load before you deliver. Don’t drive home empty
4. Negotiate rates — Load board rates are starting points, not final offers
5. Check fuel surcharges — Make sure high-mile loads include fuel surcharges
6. Seasonal awareness — Construction season, harvest season, and Q4 shipping rushes mean higher rates

Red Flags to Avoid

• Loads paying under $1.50/mile (not worth it after expenses)
• Brokers who won’t negotiate at all
• Extremely long detention times with no pay
• Double-brokered loads (broker hired another broker — your payment is at risk)
• Any load that requires you to pay upfront for anything

The Progression

Most successful hotshot operators follow this path:

1. Start with a dispatcher to learn the business
2. Move to load boards once you understand pricing and lanes
3. Build broker relationships for consistent freight
4. Land direct shipper contracts for maximum profit

The goal is to eventually have enough direct relationships that you never need a load board again. That’s when the real money starts.

What Does It Really Cost to Run a Hotshot Truck?

The difference between a profitable hotshot business and a money pit comes down to one number: your cost per mile. If you don’t know this number, you’re guessing — and guessing kills businesses.

Breaking Down Cost Per Mile

Here’s a realistic breakdown for a typical non-CDL hotshot operation running a diesel pickup and 40-foot flatbed:

Fuel — $0.45-0.65 per mile

This is your biggest variable cost. At 8 MPG towing and diesel at $3.60-5.00/gallon, you’re looking at roughly $0.45-0.65 per loaded mile. Empty miles (deadhead) cost the same but earn nothing — minimize them.

Insurance — $0.15-0.25 per mile

At $1,000-1,500/month and running 6,000-10,000 miles monthly, insurance works out to about $0.15-0.25 per mile. This drops as you build claims-free history.

Truck Payment — $0.10-0.20 per mile

A $600-1,200 monthly truck payment spread across your miles. If your truck is paid off, this goes to zero — a huge advantage.

Maintenance and Tires — $0.08-0.15 per mile

Oil changes, brakes, tires, bearings, unexpected repairs. Budget for it or it’ll budget for you. Trailer tires alone run $200-400 each.

Permits, Registrations, and Fees — $0.02-0.05 per mile

IFTA fuel tax, IRP registration, UCR, annual DOT updates. Small per-mile but adds up annually.

Dispatcher Fees — $0.00-0.50 per mile

If you use a dispatcher, they take 10-25% of your gross. On a $2.00/mile load, that’s $0.20-0.50 gone. Finding your own loads eliminates this entirely.

Total Cost Per Mile

Adding it all up:

• With dispatcher: $0.80-1.80 per mile
• Without dispatcher: $0.60-1.30 per mile

What Rate Per Mile Do You Need?

To be profitable, your rate needs to exceed your cost per mile by at least $0.50-1.00. Here’s the math:

• Cost per mile: $1.00 (average)
• Target rate: $2.00+ per mile
• Profit per mile: $1.00
• Weekly miles: 2,500
• Weekly profit: $2,500
• Monthly profit: $10,000

That’s the dream scenario. Reality varies — but knowing your numbers makes the difference.

How to Lower Your Cost Per Mile

1. Pay off your truck — Eliminates $0.10-0.20/mile instantly
2. Find your own loads — Cut the dispatcher and keep 100% of the rate
3. Minimize deadhead miles — Plan return loads before you deliver
4. Maintain your equipment — Preventive maintenance is cheaper than breakdowns
5. Track fuel economy — Drive smarter, fuel up at cheaper stations

The Bottom Line

Every successful hotshot operator knows their cost per mile down to the penny. Calculate yours before you accept a single load. If a load doesn’t cover your costs plus profit margin, pass on it. There’s always another load — there’s not always another chance to stay in business.

What is Hotshot Trucking?

Hotshot trucking is a non-CDL freight hauling business using pickup trucks and flatbed trailers. It’s one of the fastest ways to become an independent owner-operator without the massive investment of a full semi-truck setup.

If you’ve got a diesel pickup and the drive to work for yourself, hotshot trucking might be your ticket to financial independence. This guide covers everything you need to know to get started in 2026.

What Equipment Do You Need?

The Truck

Most hotshot operators run a 3/4-ton or 1-ton diesel pickup. The most popular choices are:

• Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty – The most common hotshot truck on the road
• Ram 2500/3500 – Known for the Cummins diesel reliability
• Chevy/GMC 2500HD/3500HD – Duramax diesel with solid towing capacity

Diesel is non-negotiable. You need the torque for heavy loads and the fuel range for long hauls. Expect 8-10 MPG while towing.

The Trailer

A 30-40 foot heavy-duty flatbed trailer is the industry standard. Most operators start with a 40-foot gooseneck trailer. Key specs to look for:

• GVWR rated for your load capacity
• Typically 12,000-16,000 lbs capacity for non-CDL operations
• Ratchet straps, chains, and tie-down points included

Legal Requirements

USDOT Number

Every commercial motor vehicle operating in interstate commerce needs a USDOT number. The good news: it’s free to obtain through the FMCSA website.

MC Number (Motor Carrier Authority)

Your MC number is your operating authority. It costs approximately and takes 3-4 weeks to become active after filing. You cannot legally haul freight for hire without it.

BOC-3 Filing

A BOC-3 (Blanket of Coverage) designates process agents in every state you operate in. This is required by the FMCSA. Cost: -50 through a filing service.

Insurance

You’ll need at minimum:

• Auto liability: ,000,000 minimum for interstate operations
• Cargo insurance: ,000 is standard
• Physical damage: Optional but recommended for your truck and trailer

Budget -1,500 per month for insurance as a new operator. Rates decrease as you build history.

How Much Money Can You Make?

Hotshot loads typically pay .50-3.00 per mile depending on:

• Lane (route) demand
• Freight type and weight
• Urgency of delivery
• Season and market conditions

A solid operator running 2,000-3,000 miles per week can gross ,000-9,000 weekly before expenses.

Key Expenses to Track

Successful hotshot operators track every dollar. Here are your main costs:

• Fuel: Your biggest expense. Budget for 8-10 MPG towing
• Insurance: -1,500/month
• Truck payment: Varies by vehicle
• Trailer maintenance: Tires, brakes, bearings
• Permits and registrations: Annual renewals
• Dispatcher fees: 10-25% if using a dispatcher

Finding Loads

There are several ways to find freight:

• Load boards: DAT, Truckstop.com, and Direct Freight are the big three
• Direct shippers: Build relationships with companies that need regular hauling
• Dispatchers: They find loads for you but take 10-25% of the load pay
• Brokers: Freight brokers connect carriers with shippers

Pro tip: Start with a dispatcher or load board, then transition to direct shipper relationships for better rates and consistent work.

CDL vs Non-CDL Hotshot

The key weight threshold: if your combined GVWR (truck + trailer + load) stays under 26,001 lbs, you do NOT need a CDL. Most hotshot operators specifically set up their equipment to stay under this limit.

Benefits of staying non-CDL:

• No CDL medical card requirements
• Less regulatory burden
• Lower insurance costs
• Faster startup time

Bottom Line

Hotshot trucking is a real business with real money — but only if you run your numbers. Track every mile, every gallon, every load. The operators who succeed treat it like a business, not just a driving job.

Ready to get started? Your next step is getting your USDOT number and MC authority. The process takes about a month, so start now.

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