The Lone Star State's dedicated hot shot hiring marketplace.
Texas is the single largest hot shot trucking market in the country.
The Permian Basin alone generates millions of time-sensitive loads per year — pipe,
equipment, chemicals, and critical parts that can't wait three days on a load board.
The problem: companies burn through drivers because they hire from generic job boards
that don't filter for hot shot. Drivers waste hours scrolling CDL postings that have
nothing to do with flatbeds and goosenecks.
HotRig fixes that. Every company on this page is actively hiring in Texas right now.
Pay floors start at $2.50/mile on oilfield routes and go higher for
specialized equipment runs. Instant payouts are standard on most oilfield
contracts — no net-30 broker invoices eating your cash flow. And every listing is from
a real operator, not a recruiter taking a cut.
Whether you run out of Midland/Odessa, Corpus Christi, Houston, or Dallas-Fort Worth,
HotRig matches you to the companies that need your specific rig, routes, and availability.
Sign up free. Get discovered. Stop scrolling Indeed.
Hot shot trucking in Texas — answers
What pays best for hot shot in Texas?
Oilfield runs out of the Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa) and Eagle Ford (Corpus/San Antonio) consistently
pay the highest rates — typically
$2.50–$3.50/mile for time-critical equipment and
chemical deliveries. Construction and industrial routes in Houston and DFW pay $1.80–$2.50/mile.
Specialty loads (oversized, hazmat, or time-sensitive parts) command a premium over standard flatbed rates.
Browse current pay rates →
What equipment do I need to run hot shot in Texas?
The most in-demand setup in Texas is a Class 3–5 pickup (F-350/F-450 or equivalent dually)
pulling a 40-foot gooseneck trailer. Oilfield work often requires a
GVWR of 26,001 lbs+ which triggers CDL requirements in most configurations —
verify before you bid. Bumper-pull setups still move loads under 26,000 lbs without a CDL.
Lowboys and step-decks are sought after for heavy equipment and infrastructure work.
Expect to carry a valid DOT number and current insurance with at least $1M liability.
How fast can I get hired as a hot shot driver in Texas?
Companies with urgent oilfield needs hire fast — often same week, sometimes same day for vetted
drivers. The bottleneck is usually document verification (DOT number, insurance, MC authority if
you're a carrier).
Create your profile on HotRig today and companies
can contact you directly — no recruiter middleman, no application black hole. Most drivers on
HotRig report first contact within 48 hours of going live.
Do I need a CDL to run hot shot in Texas?
It depends on your GVWR. Under 26,001 lbs combined: no CDL required in Texas,
but you still need a DOT number and liability insurance. Over 26,001 lbs or hauling hazmat:
CDL Class A required. Many oilfield operators specifically seek CDL holders because it opens
access to heavier loads and better-paying runs. Check the job listing — it will specify.
What are the best hot shot markets in Texas?
Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa) — highest volume oilfield work in North America.
Eagle Ford Shale (Laredo/Corpus Christi corridor) — steady upstream oil & gas
demand. Houston — petrochemical and industrial complex, construction surges.
DFW Metroplex — construction, manufacturing, intermodal.
Lubbock/Amarillo — agricultural and regional industrial.
All five markets have active HotRig listings.
Texas has the loads.
HotRig has the drivers and companies.
Free to post. Free to sign up. No recruiter cut.