Hotshot (3/4–1 ton + gooseneck) freight rate per mile
$1.50 - $2.60/mile
National-average reference range (DAT 2026 basis, all-in including fuel surcharge). Reference ranges only, your lane, season, and fuel will move these. Always price your own load. Price your load with the calculator below.
Low end
$1.50/mi
High end
$2.60/mi
Typical fuel economy
11 mpg
What drives the Hotshot rate
- Urgency premium: time-critical and last-minute loads pay the largest spread over standard rates.
- Weight near the 26,000 lb GVW CDL threshold affects both the rate and legal exposure.
- Fuel variance at 10-12 mpg means diesel price swings hit hotshot margins harder than semis.
- Oil field and infrastructure demand heavily influences hotshot spot load availability.
How to price your Hotshot load
Price by urgency, weight, and distance rather than a per-mile average. Use the load profit calculator below to model break-even at both 10 mpg and 12 mpg, since fuel economy variance matters on longer runs.
Open load profit calculatorFrequently asked questions
Hotshot (3/4–1 ton + gooseneck) is $1.50-$2.60/mile all-in (DAT 2026 national average). Your specific lane, season, and fuel costs will move these numbers significantly in either direction, so always price from your actual lane data before accepting a load.
