Hot Shot Trucking Profit Calculator
Built for hot shot drivers running 3/4-ton, 1-ton, and class 3-5 rigs with gooseneck or bumper-pull trailers. Real net profit on every load — under your own authority or leased on.
- Tuned for hot shot MPG (9-13)
- Gooseneck + bumper-pull friendly
- Authority, factoring, dispatch built in
- Compare loads before you accept
Hot shot trucking gets sold as the easy way into freight — lower truck cost, no CDL required under 26,001 lbs GVWR, faster pickups. What gets left out: thinner margins, smaller loads, higher deadhead percentages, and insurance that punches above the truck's weight class.
Our hot shot calculator is built for the way hot shot drivers actually work. Enter your real MPG (most 3/4-ton and 1-ton diesels run 9–13 MPG empty, 7–10 MPG loaded with a gooseneck), your truck and trailer payment, your insurance, and how many loads per week you typically run. It splits your fixed costs across loads so a single load doesn't have to carry the whole week.
Whether you're running your own MC authority, leased on with a hot shot carrier, or testing the waters with expedited LTL freight — knowing your real cost per mile and break-even rate is the difference between this being a business and being a hobby.
Works for: Ram 3500/5500, Ford F-350/F-450/F-550, Chevy/GMC 3500HD, Freightliner M2, Hino, Isuzu NPR, and any other rig running under hot shot freight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hot shot trucking profitable?
It can be — but margins are thinner than big-rig trucking. Successful hot shot drivers run loads at $1.75–$2.50/mi loaded, keep deadhead under 15%, and use a fuel-efficient diesel (9–13 MPG). Without those, the lower equipment cost gets eaten by lower revenue miles.
What's a good rate per mile for hot shot loads?
$2.00/mi loaded is a solid floor for a single-axle gooseneck setup. $2.25–$2.75/mi is what experienced hot shot drivers aim for. Anything under $1.50/mi loaded usually loses money once deadhead and fuel are factored in.
How do I calculate hot shot trucking profit?
Same as any other trucking math: total pay minus fuel, truck and trailer payment portion, insurance, maintenance escrow, dispatch and factoring fees, tolls, and other deductions. Our calculator handles all of it in one screen — including the higher MPG and lower per-mile fuel cost typical of hot shot rigs.
Does this calculator work for 3/4-ton, 1-ton, and class 3-5 hot shot trucks?
Yes. Enter your real MPG (most hot shot diesels run 9–13 MPG empty, 7–10 loaded), your truck and trailer payment, your insurance, and your typical loads per week. The math works the same whether you're running a Ram 3500 with a gooseneck or a class 5 Freightliner M2 with a hotshot trailer.
Do I need my own authority to hot shot?
Not always — you can lease on with a hot shot carrier and skip the authority and insurance overhead, but you'll give up 15–25% of gross. Running your own MC authority means higher take-home but ~$15K–$20K in startup costs and ongoing insurance. The calculator works either way; just enter your real expense structure.
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