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The Bakken's dedicated hot shot hiring marketplace.
The Bakken oil formation drives premium hot shot and flatbed rates that are among
the highest in the country. The boom towns of Williston, Watford City, Tioga, and Dickinson serve as
staging hubs, with supply yards shipping critical equipment to rig sites 30–100 miles out on county roads.
North Dakota is a year-round market — but winter separates the prepared drivers from the rest.
From October through March, temperatures drop to -20°F and lower. Rig sites need equipment delivered
regardless of weather. Drivers with heated trailers, engine block heaters, and cold-weather experience
command the top rates. If you're set up for winter, the Bakken will pay for it.
Typical Bakken hot shot loads:
- Drill pipe and casing for horizontal Bakken wells
- Frac water handling equipment and tanks
- Pumping unit parts and artificial lift components
- BOP components and wellhead equipment
- Roustabout supplies and production chemicals
HotRig surfaces only quality Bakken loads — $2.29+/mile, pre-vetted operators,
24-hour payment. North Dakota weekly gross for active operators averages ~$3,500/week.
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Hot shot trucking in North Dakota — answers
What's the typical Bakken hot shot run pay and distance?
Bakken spot loads average
$2.29/mile, contract freight runs
$2.80/mile, and time-critical deliveries to remote rig sites can hit
$4–$7/mile. Most Bakken runs are 50–200 miles, moving equipment from staging
yards in Williston, Watford City, or Dickinson out to active rig sites in McKenzie, Williams,
Mountrail, and Dunn counties. Active drivers gross around $3,500/week. The premium rate reflects
the remote access, weather conditions, and urgency — operators don't wait when a rig is down.
Browse current North Dakota rates →
Do I need oilfield certifications for North Dakota hot shot work?
Most Bakken operators require or strongly prefer: a Class A CDL (with Hazmat/H
and Tanker/N endorsements), H2S safety certification (3.5–8 hour course through
ND Safety Council or Basin Safety), and a SafeLandUSA or SafeGulf card covering
confined space, lockout/tagout, and fall protection. A TWIC card is preferred but not universally
required for onshore Bakken work. Your hiring company will often cover training costs — get H2S
and First Aid first, then let the operator direct the rest.
What equipment do I need for winter North Dakota hot shot runs?
The Bakken runs year-round, including at -20°F and below. To work winter Bakken loads, you need:
a heated trailer (electric or diesel-powered; prevents fluid freeze and keeps
equipment stable), engine block heater on your truck,
winter-rated tires (all-season is insufficient below -10°F),
cold-weather PPE (insulated coveralls, gloves, face protection, insulated boots),
and extra fuel capacity (county roads can leave you 30+ miles from the nearest
station). Drivers set up for winter command the top $4–$7/mile time-critical rates when conditions
are worst.
Where are the main hot shot hubs in North Dakota?
The four primary Bakken staging hubs are: Williston (Williams County —
largest staging area, closest to the core Bakken formation),
Watford City (McKenzie County — fastest-growing rig concentration),
Dickinson (Stark County — southern Bakken access, major supply yard), and
Tioga/Minot (northern Bakken and Mountrail County access). Most rig sites are
30–100 miles off the main highways on county gravel roads — four-wheel drive is standard.
How does HotRig work for North Dakota drivers?
Sign up, set your location (Williston, Dickinson, Watford City, or
anywhere in western ND) and equipment type. HotRig pushes Bakken loads directly to your phone —
no hunting load boards at 2am before a winter run. Every load shown is $2.29+/mile from
pre-vetted operators. Payment hits within 24 hours. No 30–60 day broker float.
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The Bakken pays big.
HotRig gets you winter-ready loads.
Free to post. Free to sign up. No recruiter cut.
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