Hot Shot Driver Jobs in New Jersey (January 2026)
Best Hot Shot Driver Jobs in New Jersey
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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 New Jersey. All 4 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 New Jersey.
Advanced Cargo Transportation, Inc.
19 Hyatt Ave, Newark, NJ, 7105- Salary range: $58,000 - $73,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 46
- Drivers: 46
- Revenue: $630
- Miles driven: 2,141,137 (2024)
Advanced Cargo Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 689077) is strategically located in New Jersey and has been actively operating for several years. The company specializes in transporting a broad range of cargo types, including beverages, chemicals, fresh produce, general freight, intermodal containers, machinery, and oversized objects such as metal sheets and rolls. Advanced Cargo Transportation primarily seeks experienced drivers skilled in handling reefer, dry van, flatbed, and tanker operations, along with those capable of managing hazardous materials. They welcome both regional and OTR drivers and offer opportunities for owner-operators as well.
Advanced Cargo Transportation distinguishes itself by offering a robust benefits package to attract and retain top-tier driving talent. Notable perks include a sign-on bonus, safety bonuses, and paid CDL training. The company also provides health insurance options encompassing medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as life insurance. Employees can take advantage of paid time off, per diem payments, and a retirement plan with a 401k option. Additionally, drivers benefit from deadhead, detention, and layover compensation, alongside ongoing training and development programs. The company supports flexible scheduling, guaranteeing drivers home time and an opportunity to lease-purchase a truck.
Employee feedback on platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed highlights commendable compensation and benefits, job security, and opportunities for advancement. Positive reviews often focus on the comprehensive benefits package and professional growth prospects. Conversely, some negative remarks stem from issues related to work-life balance, particularly concerning scheduling and route assignments. Despite these challenges, Advanced Cargo Transportation remains committed to maintaining a supportive and rewarding work environment for its drivers.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- LTL
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
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 1.07
- Driver fitness: 0.28
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.19
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.51
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Harbor Freight Transport Corp
301 Craneway St, Newark, NJ, 7114- Salary range: $60,000-$70,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Power units: 69
- Drivers: 69
- Revenue: $25,583
- Miles driven: 1,708,451 (2023)
Harbor Freight Transport Corp (DOT: 515980) is a seasoned trucking company established in 1947, based in Newark, New Jersey. The company specializes in transporting a variety of cargo, including chemicals, general freight, machinery, large objects, and metal sheets, coils, and rolls. Harbor Freight Transport hires a diverse range of drivers, offering opportunities for flatbed, hazmat, intermodal, and OTR (over-the-road) drivers, with a primary operation in interstate trucking.
Harbor Freight Transport is known for providing a range of benefits to its drivers. These include health insurance with dental and vision coverage, paid time off, guaranteed home time, and pay advances. They also support new drivers by offering paid CDL training. The company takes pride in offering flexible scheduling, making it appealing to those seeking a balanced work-life environment. While they do not offer a truck lease purchase program or employee stock ownership, they do have safety precautions, including health screenings and hazardous materials training.
On Glassdoor, Harbor Freight Transport Corp maintains a rating of 3.9, with employees appreciating the competitive salary range of $60,000-$70,000, and job security. Their Indeed rating stands at 3.3, with positive reviews highlighting the reliability of pay and advancement opportunities within the company. However, some negative feedback points to occasional organizational issues and the need for more comprehensive safety bonuses. These insights reflect the company's commitment to growth and employee satisfaction, albeit with areas for improvement.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Flatbed
- HAZMAT
- Intermodal
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Paid CDL training
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.3
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.48
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.55
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Elite Express
9201 River Road, Pennsauken, NJ, 8110- Salary range: $60,000- $90,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 203
- Drivers: 166
- Revenue: $604
- Miles driven: 13,400,000 (2024)
Elite Express (DOT: 751209) is headquartered in New Jersey and has been a part of the logistics industry for a considerable time, although its exact founding date isn't specified. The company operates a diverse fleet, including dry vans and conestogas, to transport an array of materials such as building materials, chemicals, fresh produce, general freight, liquids and gases, metal sheets, and refrigerated foods. Elite Express provides opportunities for team drivers, regional drivers, OTR drivers, and offers dedicated routes catering to various shipping needs.
Elite Express stands out by providing competitive driver benefits, including sign-on bonuses, paid CDL training, and tuition reimbursement. Drivers are eligible for comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement 401k plan, and life and disability insurance. The company also offers paid time off, safety bonuses, and per diem payments, alongside compensation for deadhead detention and layovers. Flexible scheduling and guaranteed home time improve work-life balance substantially, enhanced by the option for riders or pets.
Feedback on Elite Express from employment review sites like Glassdoor and Indeed highlight a positive work environment, competitive salaries ranging from $60,000 to $90,000, and a strong focus on employee satisfaction. Employees appreciate the company's dedicated efforts to maintain a supportive and fair workplace. However, some reviews mention areas for improvement, such as the need for better-organized route assignments and ensuring consistent home time. Overall, the company's efforts to prioritize driver health, safety, and satisfaction are evident, garnering generally favorable reviews.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Dedicated
- Tanker
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- 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
- Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 11
- Unsafe driving: 2.9
- Driver fitness: 0.11
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.62
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.96
- Controlled substances: 0.04
- Hazardous materials violations: 32
Environmental Transport Group, Inc.
194 Goldmine Road, Flanders, NJ, 7836- Salary range: $55,000-$75,000
- Routes: interstate
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 31
- Trailers: 52
- Drivers: 27
- Revenue: $11,067
- Miles driven: 1,909,143 (2024)
Environmental Transport Group, Inc. (DOT: 485801) was established in 1978 and is based in New Jersey. This company specializes in the transportation of a diverse array of cargo, including beverages, chemicals, dry bulk commodities, garbage/refuse, general freight, intermodal containers, liquids/gases, and paper products. They employ flatbed, hazmat, specialized, tanker, OTR, regional, local, and dedicated drivers, offering flexible schedules and guaranteed home time.
The company provides several attractive benefits to its drivers, such as sign-on bonuses, safety bonuses, and direct deposit. Drivers also receive full health coverage, including dental insurance (but not vision), along with paid time off, per diem payments, and a retirement plan with 401k options. Environmental Transport Group further supports its drivers with deadhead, detention, and layover compensation, as well as rider or pet allowances, enhancing their trucking experience.
Although specific ratings on Glassdoor and Indeed were not available, feedback from employees often emphasizes the company's focus on competitive pay, supportive work culture, and comprehensive benefits. However, a few critical voices mention areas for improvement in company organization and management practices. Overall, Environmental Transport Group appears to maintain a positive reputation among its workforce by fostering growth and offering substantial benefits.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Life insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Ongoing training
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 2.74
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.09
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.1
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 13
Comparing Hot Shot Driver Jobs in New Jersey
| Company | Salary range | Tuition reimbursement | Paid CDL training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Cargo Transportation, Inc. | $58,000 - $73,000 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Harbor Freight Transport Corp | $60,000-$70,000 | ✕ | ✓ |
| Elite Express | $60,000- $90,000 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Environmental Transport Group, Inc. | $55,000-$75,000 | ✕ | ✕ |
FAQ
What do hot shot trucking jobs in New Jersey 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 NJ can be a comfortable fit.
Do you need a CDL for hot shot jobs in New Jersey?
Whether you need a CDL depends on the weight of your truck and trailer combination. Many hot shot setups in NJ 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 New Jersey?
Hot shot work makes up a smaller share of the trucking market in New Jersey. The state has 4 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 New Jersey mostly local or regional?
Most hot shot freight in New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
Flexible scheduling is available across many trucking companies in New Jersey. A total of 18 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 New Jersey?
Hot shot work in New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
The tricky part is that the freight can be unpredictable. One week in NJ 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 New Jersey
If you are considering different types of trucking jobs available in New Jersey, aside from Hot Shot, here are other top options:
- Beverage Trucking Jobs in NJ
- Box Truck Jobs in NJ
- Drayage Trucking Jobs in NJ
- Dry Bulk Trucking Jobs in
- Dry Van Trucking Jobs in NJ
- Flatbed Trucking Jobs in NJ
- Hopper Bottom Trucking Jobs in NJ
- Intermodal Trucking Jobs in NJ
- LTL Trucking Jobs in NJ
- Parcel Delivery Driver Jobs in NJ
- Pneumatic Trucking Jobs in NJ
- Power Only Trucking Jobs in NJ
- Reefer Trucking Jobs in NJ
- Tanker Trucking Jobs in NJ
- Best Trucking Companies in NJ