Hotshot Cost Per Mile Calculator

Under 26,001 lbs GVWR combined (truck + trailer + cargo), no — hotshot hauling is built around that exemption. But plenty of viable hotshot setups run a bigger dually and a longer gooseneck than people assume, and a heavy load can push combined weight over that line without anyone noticing. Check your actual GVWR ratings and your real loaded combined weight before you assume the exemption applies to you.

Two things stack against a new hotshot authority: no safety history yet, and open-deck cargo, which insurers price higher than an enclosed dry van because it's exposed to weather, road debris, and theft. Rates typically ease as you build a record — but budget for a heavy insurance line in year one, since it's usually the single biggest cost on this calculator.

8-12 MPG is the typical range for a dually pulling a gooseneck, and where you land depends on load weight, wind, and how heavy your foot is. Run your own fuel receipts through the numbers above instead of assuming a figure — a loaded run and an empty deadhead can differ by 2-3 MPG on the same truck.