Hotshot Rate Calculator
Hotshot runs lean (CPM roughly $0.85-$1.30) but small trucks feel every empty mile. This computes the minimum rate per mile that covers cost plus your target margin, so you stop quoting from gut feel.
Formula: minimum rate = ((loaded + deadhead) × CPM ÷ loaded miles) × (1 + target margin). Total quote = minimum rate × loaded miles; per-cwt equivalent shown for weight-rated freight. 2026 benchmarks (Bobtail): hotshot CPM $0.85-$1.30/mi; market rates $1.50-$2.50/mi. Use: treat the output as your walk-away floor — quote higher for urgency, oversize, or hard-to-cover lanes, and never below it.
FAQ
What should hotshot rates be in 2026?
Market rates run roughly $1.50-$2.50 per mile depending on lane and urgency, against a cost per mile of $0.85-$1.30. Your own minimum is the number that matters — compute it from your real CPM.
How much does hotshot cost to run?
A 1-ton hotshot rig runs roughly $0.85-$1.30 per mile all-in (2026): lower fuel than a semi but proportionally higher payment-per-mile and shorter hauls. Track your own monthly numbers.
Why price per hundredweight?
Some hotshot and expedite freight is priced per cwt instead of per mile. The per-cwt view translates your minimum quote into that market's language so you can compare offers directly.
Figures are editable example defaults for planning, not rate quotes. Trucking costs and freight rates vary by region, lane, season, equipment, and negotiation — verify with current load boards, your insurance agent, and fuel receipts before committing to a rate.