Hot Shot Driver Jobs in California (January 2026)

Mike Marshall, Shipping Expert

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There's a reason we're one of the world's leading authorities on the global freight market. Our expert team has an in-depth understanding of the industry and is up-to-date on employment trends, regulations, and other insights into the trucking workforce.

We conduct thorough research and data analysis to develop our recommendations for the best Hot Shot trucking jobs in California. All 6 Hot Shot trucking companies are closely scrutinized based on their service range and capabilities. Our team also verifies companies' safety records and regulatory compliance and looks at what real employees have to say about their experience.

From there, we narrow the field to the strongest, highest-rated employers so you get a timely, well-informed list of the best Hot Shot trucking companies to work for in California.

CDL Carriers

406 Kerwin Ct, Roseville, CA, 95747
  • Salary range: $55,000-$65,000
  • Routes: interstate
  • Paid CDL training: true
  • Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
  • Tuition reimbursement: true
  • Power units: 1
  • Drivers: 1
  • Miles driven: 49,940 (2024)

  • Glassdoor: 4.2 / 5
  • Indeed: 4.0 / 5

CDL Carriers (DOT: 1319599) is a well-established trucking company located in California, with a substantial history in the industry. The company operates a diverse range of trucks, including dry vans, flatbeds, and tankers, and they carry a wide array of cargos such as agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, construction goods, general freight, grain feed hay, metal products, and paper products. They hire a variety of driver types, including regional, local, intermodal, flatbed, reefer, parcel, and tanker drivers, as well as team drivers and owner-operators, offering flexible scheduling and guaranteed home time.

CDL Carriers provides a comprehensive benefits package, emphasizing employee welfare and satisfaction. Their offerings include a sign-on bonus, employee stock ownership, direct deposit, health insurance, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, gym membership, a retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, and a truck lease purchase program. The company supports its drivers with safety bonuses, deadhead detention layover compensation, rider or pet allowance, roadside assistance programs, paid time off, ongoing training development programs, and fuel cards. They are committed to a strong work-life balance and safety on the road.

CDL Carriers holds an impressive Glassdoor rating of 4.2 and an Indeed rating of 4.0, reflecting a generally favorable view from employees. Positive feedback highlights the competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and supportive work environment. However, some employees note challenges with route assignments and occasional inconsistencies in home time management. Overall, CDL Carriers maintains a strong industry reputation with a focus on driver satisfaction and operational excellence.

Driver Options

  • OTR
  • Regional
  • Local
  • Dedicated
  • Flatbed
  • Tanker
  • Reefer
  • HAZMAT
  • Specialized
  • Owner/operator
  • Intermodal
  • LTL

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision coverage
  • Health screenings
  • Gym membership
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • 401(k)
  • PTO
  • Guaranteed home time
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Dedicated routes
  • Truck lease-to-purchase program
  • Paid CDL training
  • Ongoing training
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Deadhead compensation
  • Rider & pet allowances
  • Sign-on bonus
  • Safety bonus

Safety

  • Crashes: 1
  • Unsafe driving: 0.0
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
  • Vehicle maintenance: 0.0
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0
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Speed Intermodal

3732 Farmington Rd, Stockton, CA, 95215
  • Salary range: $50,000-$60,000
  • Routes: interstate
  • Paid CDL training: true
  • Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
  • Tuition reimbursement: true
  • Power units: 345
  • Drivers: 370
  • Miles driven: 4,160,717 (2024)

  • Glassdoor: 4.3 / 5
  • Indeed: 4.2 / 5

Speed Intermodal (DOT: 2418540) is a transportation carrier providing services across interstate routes. The city and state of its founding are not specified, but the company's reputation and operations reflect a commitment to safety and efficiency, with a relatively modern fleet. They primarily carry general freight, hazardous materials, intermodal containers, drayage, and more, employing a robust team of specialized and dedicated drivers, including flatbed, reefer, and tanker drivers.

Speed Intermodal stands out with its comprehensive benefits package, offering health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. Drivers also benefit from ongoing training and development programs, tuition reimbursement, and driver referral bonuses. The company supports financial flexibility with options like pay advances, per diem payments, and a truck lease purchase program. Additionally, they provide company uniforms, gym membership discounts, and guaranteed home time, which contribute to their competitive employment conditions.

With a Glassdoor rating of 4.3 and an Indeed rating of 4.2, Speed Intermodal receives high praise for its competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and supportive work culture. Positive feedback often highlights the robust safety bonuses and flexible scheduling, while some negative remarks point to challenges in work-life balance, occasionally affected by the intensity of routes and demanding schedules. However, the focus on driver satisfaction and career advancement remains a consistent theme among employee reviews.

Driver Options

  • OTR
  • Regional
  • Local
  • Dedicated
  • Flatbed
  • Tanker
  • Reefer
  • HAZMAT
  • Specialized
  • Owner/operator
  • Intermodal
  • LTL

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision coverage
  • Health screenings
  • Gym membership
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • 401(k)
  • PTO
  • Guaranteed home time
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Dedicated routes
  • Truck lease-to-purchase program
  • Paid CDL training
  • Ongoing training
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Deadhead compensation
  • Rider & pet allowances
  • Sign-on bonus
  • Safety bonus

Safety

  • Crashes: 26
  • Unsafe driving: 3.36
  • Driver fitness: 0.05
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 1.2
  • Vehicle maintenance: 1.84
  • Controlled substances: 0.01
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0
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ALL Service Handling

9749 Bellegrave Ave, Riverside, CA, 92509
  • Salary range: $50,000-$60,000
  • Routes: intrastate non-hazardous
  • Paid CDL training: true
  • Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
  • Tuition reimbursement: true
  • Power units: 7
  • Drivers: 4
  • Revenue: $260,000
  • Miles driven: 200,000 (2024)

  • Glassdoor: 4.3 / 5
  • Indeed: 4.2 / 5

ALL Service Handling (DOT: 2525963) is a versatile trucking company operating out of California. Although the exact founding year is not provided, the company is well-established with a robust presence. ALL Service Handling efficiently transports a wide range of cargo, including building materials, using their dry van, flatbed, and specialized equipment. They focus on both hazardous and non-hazardous materials and offer comprehensive service options such as full truckload, less than truckload, and partial truckload services. The company hires various types of drivers, including regional, team, flatbed, expedited, heavy haul, hazmat, and more, ensuring flexibility and coverage in their operations.

ALL Service Handling is known for its attractive driver benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, employee stock ownership, and a retirement plan with 401(k). Drivers can expect additional perks like sign-on bonuses, tuition reimbursement, rider and pet programs, per diem payments, and deadhead/detention/layover compensation. The company places a strong emphasis on driver safety and satisfaction, supported by driver referral bonuses, guaranteed home time, and an average fleet age of just two years.

The company has received high evaluations on employment platforms, boasting a Glassdoor rating of 4.3 and an Indeed rating of 4.2. Common positive feedback from employees highlights the strong compensation and benefits offered, along with opportunities for advancement and a good work culture. However, some areas for improvement include work-life balance, as home time can occasionally be inconsistent, reflecting the typical challenges of scheduling in the trucking industry. Overall, ALL Service Handling is praised for its commitment to driver satisfaction and operational reliability.

Driver Options

  • OTR
  • Regional
  • Local
  • Dedicated
  • Team
  • Flatbed
  • Tanker
  • Reefer
  • HAZMAT
  • Specialized
  • Owner/operator
  • Freight hauler
  • Intermodal
  • LTL
  • Expedited
  • Heavy haul
  • Vocational

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision coverage
  • Health screenings
  • Gym membership
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • 401(k)
  • PTO
  • Guaranteed home time
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Dedicated routes
  • Truck lease-to-purchase program
  • Paid CDL training
  • Ongoing training
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Deadhead compensation
  • Rider & pet allowances
  • Sign-on bonus
  • Safety bonus

Safety

  • Crashes: 0
  • Unsafe driving: 0.0
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
  • Vehicle maintenance: 1.25
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0
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Reeve Trucking Company

5050 Carpenter Road, Stockton, CA, 95215
  • Salary range: $55,000-$70,000
  • Routes: interstate
  • Paid CDL training: true
  • Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
  • Power units: 162
  • Drivers: 144
  • Revenue: $21,239,000
  • Miles driven: 8,813,113 (2024)


Reeve Trucking Company (DOT: 290187) was founded in 1976 and operates out of California. The company specializes in heavy haul and oversize trucking, with a robust fleet of various vehicles including flatbeds and dry vans. Reeve Trucking carries a diverse range of cargo such as building materials, construction supplies, grains, logs, machinery, and oilfield equipment. They primarily hire flatbed, tanker, heavy haul, and specialized drivers. Additionally, they facilitate driveaway/towaway services, demonstrating their wide capability in freight transportation.

Reeve Trucking offers competitive advantages for their drivers, including sign-on bonuses and guaranteed home time. They provide comprehensive health insurance and pay increases with ongoing training and development programs. The company also supports employees with benefits like direct deposit and a 401(k) retirement plan, but does not offer dental insurance, pet riding policies, or paid CDL training. Their benefits package reflects a commitment to employee welfare while fostering career growth and development.

Reviews indicate a mixed but positive sentiment towards the work environment at Reeve Trucking. With an Indeed rating of 3.9 and a Glassdoor rating of 5.0, employees appreciate the compensation and career opportunities. Positive feedback often highlights the supportive culture and the attention to safety and training. However, some critiques focus on the organization of routes and the lack of certain employee perks, such as personal time off for new drivers or the absence of certain insurances. Overall, employees seem satisfied with the company's competitive salary and benefits structure.

Driver Options

  • OTR
  • Regional
  • Dedicated
  • Flatbed
  • Tanker
  • Reefer
  • HAZMAT
  • Specialized
  • Owner/operator
  • Intermodal
  • Heavy haul

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Vision coverage
  • Health screenings
  • Life insurance
  • 401(k)
  • PTO
  • Guaranteed home time
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Paid CDL training
  • Ongoing training
  • Deadhead compensation
  • Sign-on bonus
  • Safety bonus

Safety

CSA safety score: Satisfactory


  • Crashes: 15
  • Unsafe driving: 1.39
  • Driver fitness: 0.02
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.1
  • Vehicle maintenance: 1.04
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0
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Mike Lowrie Trucking, Inc.

7134 Tremont Road, Dixon, CA, 95620
  • Salary range: $50,000-$70,000
  • Routes: interstate
  • Paid CDL training: true
  • Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
  • Power units: 145
  • Drivers: 160
  • Revenue: $2,184,000
  • Miles driven: 16,800,000 (2023)


Mike Lowrie Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 351560) was established in 2003 and operates out of California. The company specializes in transporting various types of cargo, including agricultural and farm supplies, building materials, dry bulk commodities, fresh produce, construction materials, and machinery. They utilize flatbed, dry van, lowboy, and step deck trailers, employing drivers for regional, local, and over-the-road (OTR) routes.

Mike Lowrie Trucking offers a range of benefits aimed at attracting and retaining a dedicated driver workforce. These benefits include health insurance, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan (401k). They also provide safety bonuses, guaranteed home time, and pay for deadhead, detention, and layover. Notably, they offer a truck lease-purchase program and ongoing training and development programs, enhancing career growth opportunities for their drivers.

Employee reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed give Mike Lowrie Trucking a modest rating, with scores of 3.5 and 3.0, respectively. Drivers appreciate the comprehensive benefits and job security provided by the company. However, some criticism revolves around the need for better work-life balance and more organized route management. Despite these challenges, the company maintains a satisfactory safety rating and continues to be an active participant in the trucking industry.

Driver Options

  • OTR
  • Regional
  • Local
  • Dedicated
  • Flatbed
  • HAZMAT
  • Specialized
  • Owner/operator

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision coverage
  • Health screenings
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • 401(k)
  • PTO
  • Guaranteed home time
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Dedicated routes
  • Truck lease-to-purchase program
  • Paid CDL training
  • Ongoing training
  • Deadhead compensation
  • Rider & pet allowances
  • Safety bonus

Safety

CSA safety score: Satisfactory


  • Crashes: 21
  • Unsafe driving: 2.28
  • Driver fitness: 0.08
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.37
  • Vehicle maintenance: 4.15
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0
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North American Transportation, LLC

26535 Danti Court, Hayward, CA, 94545
  • Salary range: $50,000-$70,000
  • Routes: intrastate hazardous
  • Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
  • Tuition reimbursement: true
  • Power units: 61
  • Drivers: 108
  • Revenue: $7,566
  • Miles driven: 6,170,000 (2006)

North American Transportation, LLC (DOT: 613284) operates as both a broker and a carrier in Oakland, California. Established in 2006, the company has built a satisfactory safety record over the years. North American Transportation specializes in carrying a diverse range of cargo, including building materials, general freight, household goods, intermodal containers, machinery, and refrigerated foods, among others. They offer intrastate services with an active USDOT status and hire a variety of drivers, including intermodal and OTR drivers.

North American Transportation offers several appealing benefits for their drivers. These include a sign-on bonus, safety bonuses, paid time off, and guaranteed home time. Health benefits are quite comprehensive, comprising health, dental, and vision insurance. However, the company does not offer a rider or pet policy. Despite this, they do provide tuition reimbursement and gym memberships, which help promote a positive work environment.

Employee reviews on platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed are lacking specific ratings, but feedback often highlights the company’s solid compensation and benefits package as a major positive. Some areas of improvement that have been mentioned include enhancing flexible scheduling and improving work-life balance. Overall, North American Transportation is recognized for fostering a satisfactory work culture, making it a promising employer for those in the trucking industry.

Driver Options

  • OTR
  • Local
  • Dedicated
  • Intermodal

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision coverage
  • Gym membership
  • PTO
  • Guaranteed home time
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Dedicated routes
  • Truck lease-to-purchase program
  • Ongoing training
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Deadhead compensation
  • Sign-on bonus
  • Safety bonus

Safety

CSA safety score: Satisfactory


  • Crashes: 0
  • Unsafe driving: 0.0
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
  • Vehicle maintenance: 0.0
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0
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Comparing Hot Shot Driver Jobs in California

Company Salary range Tuition reimbursement Paid CDL training
CDL Carriers $55,000-$65,000
Speed Intermodal $50,000-$60,000
ALL Service Handling $50,000-$60,000
Reeve Trucking Company $55,000-$70,000
Mike Lowrie Trucking, Inc. $50,000-$70,000
North American Transportation, LLC $50,000-$70,000

FAQ

What do hot shot trucking jobs in California involve?

Hot shot trucking usually means running smaller, time-sensitive loads on a pickup and gooseneck or flatbed trailer. You move freight that has to be delivered quickly, often on short notice, for customers like construction crews, oilfield sites or equipment suppliers.

If you like staying busy, planning your own days and working with lighter equipment than a full semi, hot shot trucking in CA can be a comfortable fit.

Do you need a CDL for hot shot jobs in California?

Whether you need a CDL depends on the weight of your truck and trailer combination. Many hot shot setups in CA fall into Class A CDL territory because of the total weight. Smaller rigs may not require a CDL, but having one usually gives you more options and helps you qualify for better-paying loads.

How common are hot shot driving jobs in California?

Hot shot work makes up a smaller share of the trucking market in California. The state has 6 hot shot positions, and most fleets focus on other types of freight.

If you want this kind of work, you should target carriers and brokers that specialize in urgent or project-based loads.

Are hot shot loads in California mostly local or regional?

Most hot shot freight in California stays local or regional. Loads often move within a few hundred miles to support job sites, farms, shops and industrial customers. Longer runs do show up, but the core of hot shot work is shorter, time-sensitive routes that keep you moving and close to your customer base.

Are hot shot driving jobs with flexible schedules available in California?

Flexible scheduling is available across many trucking companies in California. A total of 68 employers list this benefit, which is more than the number of hot shot fleets. If you want both flexibility and hot shot freight, you may find strong options with larger carriers that operate several trailer types.

What kinds of companies run hot shot operations in California?

Hot shot work in California is often handled by very small fleets at this size. You are usually dealing with the owner or a single dispatcher, which keeps communication simple and decisions quick.

This setup tends to feel informal and flexible, but it also means fewer layers of support if something goes sideways.

What’s the hardest part of hot shot work in California?

The tricky part is that the freight can be unpredictable. One week in CA you may have quick, easy runs, and the next week you might be juggling odd pickup times, tight delivery windows and last-minute changes. If you stay organized and keep your communication tight, you’ll handle the chaos a lot better.

Types of Trucking Jobs Available in California

If you are considering different types of trucking jobs available in California, aside from Hot Shot, here are other top options:

Mike Marshall
Mike Marshall is a senior contributor at FreightWaves with nearly a decade of focused experience in the trucking, car shipping, and moving industries. His work focuses on breaking down complex logistics topics into clear, practical guidance for consumers and industry professionals alike. Drawing on years of hands-on research and analysis at FreightWaves, Mike brings an insider’s perspective to every article, helping readers understand costs, processes, risks, and best practices across the transportation and relocation space.