Trustpilot - 1,500+ Reviews

Call (800) 604-2511

Get in touch now and our expeditors will answer any questions you have.

20,000+ freight emergencies. One promise each time.

GET A QUOTE CALL (800) 713-1000

What you get

One Person, Start to Finish

“There will only be one person I call from now on.” — Neil

The Right Mode, Every Time

“Picked up in two hours… faster than FEDEX.” — Ashlee

Honest With You, Always

“True to word. They did exactly what they said they would do.” — Dan

4.9 Trustpilot

Air Charter

A Private Jet for One Urgent Shipment

When the next airline flight is too late, we charter the right aircraft and fly your freight direct, with no stops for anyone else's cargo.

4.9 1,500+ reviews on Call dispatch, live 24/7(800) 713-1000

20,000+ freight emergencies. One promise each time.

GET A QUOTE CALL (800) 713-1000

What you get

One Person, Start to Finish

“There will only be one person I call from now on.” — Neil

The Right Mode, Every Time

“Picked up in two hours… faster than FEDEX.” — Ashlee

Honest With You, Always

“True to word. They did exactly what they said they would do.” — Dan

4.9 Trustpilot

factory-worker-weld — Why shippers call us

24/7

Dispatch, every day of the year

4.9

Trustpilot rating from 1,500+ reviews

Hot Shot Trucking Dedicated trucks · 24/7 dispatch

Hot shot trucking for time-critical freight

When a part is down or a shipment can't miss its window, a hot shot truck is often the fastest way to move it. A dedicated truck and driver pick up your freight and drive it straight to the delivery dock, with no stops for anyone else's cargo.

One coordinator handles the move from the first call to proof of delivery, and you get updates along the way:

Pickup scheduled around your dock hours
Flatbed, step-deck and box options for loads that won't fit a van
Dispatch around the clock, every day of the year

workers-factory-floor — Why shippers call us

24/7

Dispatch, every day of the year

4.9

Trustpilot rating from 1,500+ reviews

Hot Shot Trucking Dedicated trucks · 24/7 dispatch

Hot shot trucking for time-critical freight

One coordinator handles the move from the first call to proof of delivery, and you get updates along the way:

Pickup scheduled around your dock hours
Flatbed, step-deck and box options for loads that won't fit a van
Dispatch around the clock, every day of the year

URGENT TRUCKING

SAME DAY FREIGHT

A wide variety of industries rely on HotShotTrucking.com to keep their business running. When a business faces a crisis and needs a part, equipment, etc. on a moment's notice, we're there to meet their needs.

Urgent freight options

6 ways to ship freight that can't wait, ranked

Ranked for a 1,000 lb crate going about 1,000 miles. Re-sort the list if speed, cost or size matters most to you.

Sort by

Fastest for small freight
Next flight out

We book your crate on the next commercial flight, with a driver at each end. It's often the quickest way to move anything that fits in a passenger plane's hold.

GoodSame day across the country WatchSize and weight limits per piece

Same day

door to door

$$$$$

relative cost

~1,500 lbs

max load
Best value for heavy, urgent loads
Hot shot truck

A dedicated pickup and flatbed drives your load straight there with no terminals. Good for machinery and parts that won't fit a van.

GoodNo transfers, open-deck loading WatchSlower than air past ~600 miles

Next day

door to door

$$$$$

relative cost

~16,000 lbs

max load
Best for same-day regional
Sprinter van

A cargo van leaves within the hour and drives straight through. Two drivers can run it overnight.

GoodCheapest dedicated option WatchAbout 3,000 lbs and 3-4 pallets

Next day

door to door

$$$$$

relative cost

~3,000 lbs

max load
When nothing else is fast enough
Air charter

A whole aircraft on your schedule, from a turboprop to a 747. You pay for the plane, so it's for loads where hours cost more than the flight.

GoodAny size, any time WatchHighest cost on this list

Same day

door to door

$$$$$

relative cost

Aircraft-dependent

max load
Best for full trailers
Team truckload

Two drivers swap shifts so the truck barely stops. Coast to coast in about two days with a full 53 ft trailer.

GoodLowest cost per pound for big loads WatchNeeds a dock at each end

1-2 days

door to door

$$$$$

relative cost

~45,000 lbs

max load
Cheapest when you have a day
Guaranteed LTL

Your pallets share a truck with others, with a guaranteed delivery date. It moves through terminals, so it's slower.

GoodCheapest on this list WatchTerminal handling adds risk

2-4 days

door to door

$$$$$

relative cost

~12,000 lbs

max load

Who does what in a shipment

Broker, carrier, forwarder or customs broker?

Four kinds of company can touch your freight. They differ in who physically moves it, who licenses them, and who pays if something is damaged.

	Freight broker Arranges the move	Motor carrier Owns the trucks	Freight forwarder Arranges and consolidates	Customs broker Clears imports
What it does	Finds and books a carrier for your load, then manages the move	Picks up and delivers your freight with its own trucks and drivers	Arranges door-to-door moves, often international, under its own bill of lading	Files your import entry and pays duties with U.S. Customs
Handles your freight	No: Hires a carrier to move it	Yes: Its drivers have it	Sometimes: At its warehouse, when consolidating	No: Paperwork only
Books the truck for you	Yes	Sometimes: Only its own trucks	Yes	No
Licensed by	FMCSA broker authority, plus a $75,000 bond	FMCSA operating authority (USDOT and MC numbers)	FMCSA for domestic; FMC or IATA for ocean and air	U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Liable for loss or damage	Sometimes: Usually not; good brokers carry contingent cargo cover	Yes: Under the Carmack Amendment	Yes: As the carrier on its own bill of lading	No: Only for filing errors
Use one when	You need a truck fast, or cover many lanes	You ship the same lane every week	You ship internationally or have small loads to combine	You import goods into the U.S.

Freight broker

Arranges the move

What it does: Finds and books a carrier for your load, then manages the move
Handles your freight: No: Hires a carrier to move it
Books the truck for you: Yes
Licensed by: FMCSA broker authority, plus a $75,000 bond
Liable for loss or damage: Sometimes: Usually not; good brokers carry contingent cargo cover
Use one when: You need a truck fast, or cover many lanes

Motor carrier

Owns the trucks

What it does: Picks up and delivers your freight with its own trucks and drivers
Handles your freight: Yes: Its drivers have it
Books the truck for you: Sometimes: Only its own trucks
Licensed by: FMCSA operating authority (USDOT and MC numbers)
Liable for loss or damage: Yes: Under the Carmack Amendment
Use one when: You ship the same lane every week

Freight forwarder

Arranges and consolidates

What it does: Arranges door-to-door moves, often international, under its own bill of lading
Handles your freight: Sometimes: At its warehouse, when consolidating
Books the truck for you: Yes
Licensed by: FMCSA for domestic; FMC or IATA for ocean and air
Liable for loss or damage: Yes: As the carrier on its own bill of lading
Use one when: You ship internationally or have small loads to combine

Customs broker

Clears imports

What it does: Files your import entry and pays duties with U.S. Customs
Handles your freight: No: Paperwork only
Books the truck for you: No
Licensed by: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Liable for loss or damage: No: Only for filing errors
Use one when: You import goods into the U.S.

Expedited freight by the numbers

What the data says about moving freight fast

35%

of world trade by value moves by air, while air carries under 1% of the weight.¹

What it means for you

Air is built for freight that is small, valuable and late. If a missed delivery costs more than the flight, air usually pays for itself.

72%

of US freight tonnage moves by truck²

Most expedited loads start and finish on a truck, even when the middle leg flies.

11 hrs

daily driving limit for a solo truck driver³

A coast-to-coast solo run takes four to five days. Team drivers or a flight close that gap.

60k

estimated shortage of US truck drivers⁴

Capacity tightens at peak season, so booking early matters most then.

Sources

IATA, value of air cargo in world trade
American Trucking Associations, Freight Transportation Forecast
FMCSA, hours of service rules for property carriers
American Trucking Associations, driver shortage estimate

Market check · week of Oct 12, 2026

Los Angeles to Chicago, in numbers

Updated weekly from public data and our own dispatch times, so you can see what drives your quote.

Door-to-door transit

1day by air

Next flight out 1 day

Team truck 2 days

Solo truck 4 days

AirFreight.com dispatch times for this lane

US diesel, $ per gallon

$3.71this week

+$0.12 vs 12 weeks ago

US EIA weekly diesel retail price

Watch on YouTube

Episode 1 Jun 8, 2026 24 min

The Easy Button for Expedited Freight

Most companies overlook the hidden logistics hero in their supply chain—and miss millions in savings and risk along the way. Kevin Carpenter, a seasoned expedited freight expert with 20 years of experience, reveals how critical, high-touch shipping solutions can be the secret weapon for your business’s success. Imagine saving a manufacturing line from hundreds of thousands in potential losses with just one call. Or discovering how a simple custom air charter can solve the most unthinkable, high-stakes logistics nightmares—like rushing a crucial piece of machinery across the country in hours. Kevin shares jaw-dropping stories, from thwarting a misloaded private jet to tackling the return of a long-eradicated flesh-eating worm creeping into Texas. These are the real-life, high-pressure moments that prove transportation isn’t just about moving goods—it's about saving businesses, jobs, and even lives.

More episodes

Keep listening to ON AIR

All episodes

About the show

For anyone who's ever had a shipment that couldn't be late.

ON AIR is a short-form interview podcast from AirFreight.com. Each episode, we talk to people inside the emergency freight and expedited shipping world, including carriers, forwarders and ops teams, about how time-critical freight actually moves, what goes wrong, and how the pros solve it under pressure.

Episode 11

The $90,000 Trailer Sitting Idle: Todd Waldron on Trailer Sharing

Oct 19, 2026 · with Todd Waldron

Play episode Opens in Spotify · 22:33

Spotify Apple YouTube

Case Study Sports · Dedicated box truck

Moving the Brooklyn Nets into the 2020 NBA bubble

With the season restarting inside a quarantined bubble in Florida, the Nets' equipment manager had days to move uniforms, training gear, players' belongings and furniture more than 1,000 miles, without exact weights or dimensions.

Expeditor Kevin quoted it anyway and booked an exclusive-use 26-foot box truck, which loaded in Brooklyn and delivered everything the team needed.

Client: Brooklyn Nets
Route: Brooklyn → Florida
Equipment: 26-ft box truck

Read the case study Watch video

Repeat client
After the bubble, the Nets brought us back to move their gear to NBA Summer League in 2021 and 2022.

4.9 from 1,500+ reviews on

Need it there today? Start with a free quote.

Tell us where it's going and when it has to arrive. A coordinator matches the right vehicle and gets back to you with a price, fast.

Called at 9:30am for a hotshot from Dallas to Waller TX. It was offloaded at 4:30pm. Great job!
Kollin
Last minute pick up from Houston to Austin. Delivery done in less than 5hrs.
Alex

Request a Quote

Step 1 of 3Origin and Destination Info

Become a hot shot driver

From pickup truck to your first load

Hot shot trucking runs time-critical loads on a heavy-duty pickup and flatbed trailer. Here's what it takes to get on the road legally and start hauling.

01

Pick your rig

Most hot shot drivers run a heavy-duty pickup pulling a gooseneck flatbed. Once your truck and trailer are rated over 10,000 lbs combined, federal commercial-vehicle rules apply.
02

Get licensed

You'll need a Class A CDL if your combination is rated at 26,001 lbs or more and the trailer is over 10,000 lbs. Interstate drivers also need a DOT medical card.
03

Register your authority

Apply through FMCSA for a USDOT number and MC operating authority, then file a BOC-3 to name process agents in the states you'll run through.
04

Get insured

FMCSA requires at least $750,000 in liability coverage for general freight. Most brokers and shippers will also ask for cargo insurance before they tender a load.
05

Set up compliance

Register for UCR and IFTA, get IRP apportioned plates for interstate travel, and install an FMCSA-registered ELD to log your hours of service.
06

Find your first load

Line up freight through brokers and load boards, then build direct relationships with shippers who need time-critical deliveries.

Freight News

Air cargo demand is outrunning capacity heading into peak season

Volumes are growing three times faster than the space to carry them, and shippers are trading long-term contracts for short-term deals. Here's what that means if your freight can't wait.

At a glance · September 2026

+6%
Global air cargo volumes, year over year

+2%
Cargo capacity over the same period

What's happening

Global air cargo volumes rose 6% year over year in September while capacity grew just 2%, according to Xeneta data reported by Air Cargo News. Spot rates averaged 27% above last September, pushed up by seasonal demand and jet fuel prices that have roughly doubled.

Why shippers are going short-term

Sixty percent of new contracts that started in Q3 run three months or less, up from 25% a year ago. Twelve-month deals fell from 40% of new contracts to 25%, as shippers look for rates that move with the market.

What it means for your freight

Tighter space on scheduled flights leaves less room for error when something breaks. If a part, a production run or an event shipment can't wait for the next open slot, a dedicated air charter or an expedited truck takes the waiting out of the equation.

Wherever You Need Us, You'll Find Us

We're proud to serve customers across the United States with custom shipping solutions designed to meet urgent needs. Browse by state to view services in your area.

AREAS WE SERVICE

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How quickly can you dispatch a vehicle for same day freight?

In most US markets, we have vehicles rolling within two hours of booking confirmation. Our nationwide carrier network means capacity is pre-positioned in major metros and industrial corridors, so dispatch is fast even on short notice. Call for a quote and we'll confirm your pickup window immediately.

What size loads can you handle for same day freight shipping?

We move everything from a single small package via sprinter van up to 44,000+ lbs on a dedicated tractor-trailer. Hot shot flatbeds handle loads up to 26,000 lbs, straight trucks cover the mid-range, and full FTL capacity is available for same day moves. Tell us your dimensions and weight — we'll match the right equipment.

Do you offer same day freight service across all 50 states?

Yes. HotShotTrucking.com provides same day freight delivery anywhere in the continental United States, with service to Alaska and Hawaii available via air charter coordination. Whether it's a 100-mile regional run or a cross-country expedite, we cover it.

How much does same day freight cost?

Same day freight rates depend on distance, load size, vehicle type, and pickup urgency. Because every shipment is dedicated (not consolidated), pricing reflects the exclusive use of the vehicle and driver. We provide transparent, all-inclusive quotes with no hidden surcharges — request a quote to get exact same day freight cost for your lane.

Can you ship freight same day on weekends and holidays?

Absolutely. Urgent freight doesn't take weekends off, and neither do we. Our dispatch team operates 24/7/365, including holidays. Same day freight pickup and delivery is available any day, any time.

What's the difference between same day freight and hot shot trucking?

Hot shot trucking is a type of same day freight that typically uses medium-duty flatbed trucks for loads under 26,000 lbs. Same day freight is the broader service category that includes hot shot trucks, sprinter vans, straight trucks, and full tractor-trailers. At HotShotTrucking.com, we deploy whichever vehicle class best fits your shipment's size, weight, and timeline.

Do you provide real-time tracking on same day freight shipments?

Every same day freight shipment includes GPS tracking with real-time visibility. Your dedicated expediter provides proactive updates throughout transit, and you can check your shipment's status at any time. Full delivery confirmation with proof of delivery is provided upon completion.

How does same day freight compare to next day freight?

Same day freight uses dedicated, direct-drive vehicles that pick up and deliver within the same calendar day — no overnight stops, no terminal processing. Next day freight may involve hub transfers and shared capacity. When your deadline is today, same day freight vs next day freight isn't a close call.

What if ground transit can't make my same day freight deadline?

When distance makes ground delivery impractical within your window, we pivot to air freight same day options — including next flight out on commercial carriers or dedicated air charter. Our team handles the full logistics chain: ground pickup, air transport, and last-mile delivery, all under one coordination point. You get the fastest possible door-to-door solution regardless of distance.

Reviews & customers

AirFreight was very prompt, accommodating, professional, and timely with zero issues.

Mark

Jul 2026

AirFreight came through and got us out…

AirFreight came through and got us out of a bind. Steve Jannsen was amazing. He went above and beyond to assist me with a quote, booking and tracking. This was our first time using AirFreight to get a Same Day delivery and it was handled effortlessly and delivery got there earlier than expected. I will be keeping Steve's info on hand for any future needs.

Tina

HowWe Work

One Person, Start to Finish

When you call AirFreight.com, you don't get a robot, and you don't get bounced around a call center. You get a real person on the line, right away, and that same person owns your shipment from the first call to final delivery.

No hand-offs, no re-explaining your situation to someone new halfway through.

A direct cell number for your expeditor
Updates at pickup, wheels-up, wheels-down and delivery
The same person on your next shipment

chris-noe2 — “I called up at 7:30 pm... one that was secured cancelled at the end of the day. Todd quoted three shipments on the spot... The last shipment was picked up at Midnight.”
Susan · Trustpilot

WhatWe Provide

The Right Mode, Every Time

Every shipment is different, and the right solution isn't always the biggest truck or the fastest plane, it's the one that actually fits. We have access to a full network of options, from sprinter vans to hot shot trucks to chartered aircraft, and we match your project to the exact mode it needs. Not more, not less. That means you're never paying for capacity you don't need, and you're never stuck without the option you do need.

Every viable mode priced against your deadline
Hand carry for parts that can't leave someone's hands
Trucking when the airport is the slower option

steve2 — “True to word. They did exactly what they said they would do.”
Dan · Trustpilot

WhoWe Are

Honest With You, Always

Freight emergencies are stressful enough without wondering if you're getting the full story. We lead with transparency, the pricing before you commit to it, the timeline as it actually stands, and if something goes wrong, you hear it from us first, not after the fact. That's integrity.

All-in quotes with no surprise surcharges
Real-time updates, including the bad news
We'll tell you when a truck beats a charter

Shippers trust us with the loads that can't be late

Get a quote in about a minute. We'll find the fastest way to move it, by van, truck or plane.

4.9 from 1,500+ reviews on Call dispatch, live 24/7(800) 713-1000

Request a Quote

Step 1 of 3Origin and Destination Info

Called at 9:30am for a hotshot from Dallas to Waller TX. It was offloaded at 4:30pm. Great job!

Kollin · Verified review on Trustpilot

From critical shipments to ongoing support, see why businesses continue to choose HotShotTrucking.com

PERSONALIZED SUPPORT

Andy Ernst was able to assist our organization (Procurement Operations, Amazon.com) fully. He was polite and helpful in all ways and worked with our team to ensure our load was delivered safely and without issue.

Procurement Operations

Amazon.com

SPEEDY DELIVERIES

Frank's quickness to reply and quote. Management gave me a very tight window, which I thought may be impossible. Though other options quoted were a little lower, they did not get me their quote in the time I needed. Thank you, Frank!

Charter Industrial Supply

NEXT-DAY SERVICES

Great service and quick responses. I called to see if I could get next-day service and was promptly helped by Frank. He answered all my questions and got the ball rolling quickly. The order arrived on time.

Kelly Industrial Coatings

NATIONAL REACH

Great Service. Fast, efficient, informative and got the job done ahead of time! Moved my shipment from Pennsylvania to Miami in a little over 24 hours with less than 12 hours notice.

VP Finance

Agile Courts

STREAMLINED ENGAGEMENT

Extremely easy process. Customer service was very responsive and happy to help. I made one call and sent one email; they took care of everything else.

Dirk Baugher

Pella Corporation

EXPLORE CASE STUDIES

20,000+ freight emergencies. One promise each time.

A Private Jet for One Urgent Shipment

20,000+ freight emergencies. One promise each time.

Hot shot trucking for time-critical freight

Hot shot trucking for time-critical freight

SAME DAY FREIGHT

Next flight out

Hot shot truck

Sprinter van

Air charter

Team truckload

Guaranteed LTL

What the data says about moving freight fast

of US freight tonnage moves by truck2

daily driving limit for a solo truck driver3

estimated shortage of US truck drivers4

Los Angeles to Chicago, in numbers

The Easy Button for Expedited Freight

Keep listening to ON AIR

The $90,000 Trailer Sitting Idle: Todd Waldron on Trailer Sharing

A Freight Insurance Underwriter on What the Supreme Court Ruling Actually Changed

When a Shipment Goes Sideways: Todd Anderson on Trust in Expedited Freight

The Real Difference Between a Broker and a Logistics Partner

Why Cheap Freight Costs More: Mike Pettrey on Trust & Expedited Trucking

How Supreme Court Ruling Is Reshaping Final Mile Risk Management

The Hidden Power of Personal Touch in High-Stakes Freight Shipments

Inside the Mind of a Freight Leader: John Elliott (Founder of Load One)

How Fast Freight Keeps a Drum Plant Running

For anyone who's ever had a shipment that couldn't be late.

Moving the Brooklyn Nets into the 2020 NBA bubble

Need it there today? Start with a free quote.

Request a Quote

From pickup truck to your first load

Pick your rig

Get licensed

Register your authority

Get insured

Set up compliance

Find your first load

Air cargo demand is outrunning capacity heading into peak season

What's happening

Why shippers are going short-term

What it means for your freight

Wherever You Need Us, You'll Find Us

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

of US freight tonnage moves by truck²

daily driving limit for a solo truck driver³

estimated shortage of US truck drivers⁴