Hotshot and cargo van freight is the high-mileage end of gig driving. Instead of meals or small parcels, you haul time-sensitive business loads — machine parts, construction materials, oilfield equipment, urgent manufacturing shipments — in a pickup with a trailer, a cargo or Sprinter van, or a small box truck. Loads often run hundreds of miles, and pay is usually per mile or per load.
There are two main ways in: find loads yourself on load boards and freight apps, or lease onto an expedite carrier that dispatches loads to you under its authority. This guide covers both, plus the CDL, authority and insurance rules, and what all those miles mean at tax time.
Load boards and freight apps for hotshot and cargo vans
Load boards list freight from brokers and shippers, and you book or negotiate each load yourself. Most require your own USDOT number and MC authority. DAT and Truckstop carry the most hotshot freight, and most experienced operators run at least two boards at once.
| Platform | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| DAT One | Most load volume and rate data; strongest for gooseneck and flatbed hotshot | Paid; roughly $40 to $150+ a month for full tools |
| Truckstop | Broker payment history and credit scores | Paid |
| 123Loadboard | New operators on a budget; common with cargo van and box truck owners | Free tier |
| uShip | Setting your own rate; shippers post and carriers bid | Fees per load |
| Uber Freight | Upfront-priced loads with no negotiation | No subscription |
| Loadsmart | Instant booking at set broker rates | No subscription |
| C.H. Robinson Navisphere | A steady relationship with one large broker | Free to carriers; insurance minimums apply |
| Direct Freight | Custom load alerts | Paid |
| Comfreight | Built-in invoicing and factoring for cash flow | Not published |
| Amazon Relay | Amazon's own freight; check equipment eligibility first | Free |
| Trucker Path and TruckSmarter | Low-cost secondary boards for small fleets | Free or low cost |
No authority yet?
Freight-style apps let you start without your own MC number. GoShare, Curri, FRAYT, Dispatch, Bungii and Roadie's large-item jobs give pickup and van owners freight work under the app's own setup. Our guide to package delivery gigs beyond Amazon Flex covers them in detail.
Expedite carriers that lease owner-operators
Leasing on means you bring the van or truck, and the carrier supplies freight, dispatch and operating authority, often with insurance through its policy. Owner-operators typically keep about 65 to 75 percent of the load revenue. For newer cargo van operators, leasing on often nets more in the first year than running independently, because steady dispatch makes up for the smaller share.
| Carrier | Equipment accepted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Panther Premium Logistics (ArcBest) | Cargo van, straight truck, tractor-trailer | Runs under Panther's authority with weekly settlements; lease-purchase program |
| FedEx Custom Critical | Vans, straight trucks, tractors | Ohio-based; part of FedEx Freight since its June 2026 spin-off |
| RXO (formerly XPO Expedite) | Cargo and Sprinter vans to tractor-trailers | Solo and team options |
| Load One | Vans, straight trucks, tractors | Major expedite carrier |
| Landstar Express | Vans and trucks | Part of Landstar's owner-operator network |
| TForce | Vans and trucks | Expedite division |
| Forward Air and Ascent Global Logistics | Sprinter vans to tractor-trailers | National expedite networks |
| Bolt Express | Sprinter and cargo vans; CDL-B straight trucks | Solo and team owner-operators |
| V3 Transportation | Sprinter vans (no CDL), straight trucks, tractors | Drivers 23+; ground expedite in 48 states |
| Jung Express | Cargo vans | Started as a Milwaukee–Chicago courier; now nationwide |
| A Plus Expediting | Sprinter vans | Runs under FedEx Custom Critical; a listing showed $0.85–$0.88 per loaded mile |
| Filic Express | Cargo and Sprinter vans (2014 or newer) | Nationwide; requires your own commercial cargo insurance |
Industry guides put cargo van and straight truck expedite rates at roughly $2.50 to $5.00 or more per mile in 2026, and van owner-operators commonly gross $2,000 to $4,000 or more a week before expenses. Pay is per loaded mile, so empty miles to your next load come out of your pocket.
Hotshot and cargo van requirements
Running freight on your own authority is a real trucking business, not a sign-up-and-go app. Leasing onto a carrier covers much of this paperwork for you.
| Requirement | What it means | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| CDL | Not needed under 26,001 lbs combined rating (GCWR); Class A required at 26,001 lbs or more. Cargo vans need no CDL. | $0, or $3,000–$7,000 for CDL school |
| USDOT number | Federal registration for interstate for-hire carriers | Free |
| MC authority | Operating authority to haul for hire; plus a BOC-3 process agent filing and UCR registration | $300 filing fee |
| Liability insurance | FMCSA minimum is $750,000 for non-hazmat freight; most brokers want $1,000,000 plus about $100,000 cargo coverage | $7,000–$12,000 a year for non-CDL hotshot; more for new authorities |
| ELD | Electronic logging device, unless you qualify for an exemption | $200–$500 |
The CDL trap
The CDL threshold uses ratings, not actual weight. A one-ton pickup rated at 14,000 lbs plus a gooseneck trailer rated at 14,000 lbs adds up to 28,000 lbs, which requires a Class A CDL even when the trailer is empty. Check the door-jamb and trailer plates before you buy.
Most new hotshot operators spend $50,000 to $100,000 on a truck, trailer, insurance and authority. A used cargo van with a lease-on carrier is the cheapest way to start.
How much hotshot and cargo van drivers can deduct
At these mileages, the tax side of the business matters as much as the rate per mile. If you use the IRS standard mileage rate for an eligible van or pickup, 2026 is split: 72.5 cents per mile through June 30 and 76 cents from July 1, about 74 cents on average for miles spread across the year.
| Business miles in 2026 | Approximate deduction (standard rate) | Approximate tax saved |
|---|---|---|
| 60,000 | $44,550 | $10,700–$13,200 |
| 80,000 | $59,400 | $14,250–$17,600 |
| 100,000 | $74,250 | $17,800–$22,000 |
Tax saved depends on your bracket. Many high-mileage operators deduct actual expenses instead — fuel, insurance, repairs, depreciation on the truck and trailer — which can come out ahead when equipment costs are high. Either method requires a complete mileage log to prove business use, so track every mile from day one and choose the method with a tax professional. Our 2026 mileage rate guide explains the standard rate in detail.
Heavier setups may also need state-by-state mileage for fuel tax (IFTA) reporting. That is separate from your income tax deduction, so keep a record of which state your miles were driven in.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a CDL for hotshot trucking?
Not if your truck and trailer are rated under 26,001 pounds combined (GCWR). At 26,001 pounds or more, federal rules require a Class A CDL, even when you are hauling empty. Cargo vans and Sprinter vans do not need a CDL.
What is the best load board for cargo vans and hotshot?
DAT and Truckstop carry the most hotshot freight, and most experienced operators run at least two boards. 123Loadboard has a free tier for new operators, and apps such as Uber Freight and Loadsmart offer upfront-priced loads with no negotiation.
Can you do hotshot or cargo van freight without your own authority?
Yes. You can lease onto an expedite carrier such as Panther, Bolt Express or V3 Transportation and run under its authority, or take freight-style jobs on apps such as GoShare, Curri and FRAYT. Booking broker loads on your own generally requires a USDOT number and MC authority.
Should hotshot drivers use the standard mileage rate or actual expenses?
It depends on your vehicle and costs. The standard rate is simpler, while high-mileage operators with expensive trucks and trailers often deduct actual expenses instead. Either way, you need a complete mileage log to prove business use, so track every mile and choose the method with a tax professional.
The bottom line
Hotshot and cargo van work pays more per mile than almost any other driving gig, but it asks more of you: equipment, insurance and often your own authority. The lowest-risk path is to start with a cargo van, lease onto an expedite carrier or use freight apps, learn your lanes, and only then invest in your own authority. Price every load on all-in miles, check broker payment history before you haul, and keep a complete log of every mile you drive.
Rates, requirements and costs change often. This guide was compiled from carrier websites, industry guides and job listings and is reviewed periodically. Check FMCSA rules and each carrier's terms before you commit, and verify tax specifics with a qualified CPA or enrolled agent.