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4 Best Hot Shot Trucking Companies in New Jersey

Mike Marshall, Shipping Expert

After reviewing New Jersey Hot Shot trucking providers based on key factors like cost, reliability, and customer reviews, we chose Advanced Cargo Transportation, Inc. as the top company.

Take a closer look at Advanced Cargo Transportation, Inc. and our other top picks to find a Hot Shot company in New Jersey that can meet your urgent delivery needs.

Why Trust FreightWave Ratings?

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 trucking companies in New Jersey. Every New Jersey trucking firm is closely scrutinized based on its service range and capabilities. Our team also verifies companies’ safety records and regulatory compliance and looks at what real users have to say about their experience.

From there, we narrow our focus to select only those top-performing and highest-rated firms to give you an informed and up-to-date list of the best trucking companies in New Jersey for your commercial shipping needs.

Advanced Cargo Transportation, Inc.

19 Hyatt Ave, Newark, NJ, 7105
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Chemicals
  • Produce
  • General
  • Intermodal containers
  • Liquids & gases
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Auto carrier
  • Container
  • Step deck
  • Lowboy
  • Oversized
  • Power only
  • Tanker
  • Hot shot
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Cross-border
  • Alcohol-insured
  • Drayage
  • Hazardous materials

Advanced Cargo Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 689077) offers comprehensive shipping solutions from New Jersey. Specializing in general freight, refrigerated foods, and hazardous materials, they also handle liquids and gases, fresh produce, and oversized cargo. They provide a variety of truck options, including reefers, dry vans, tankers, step decks, lowboys, and equipment for auto transport.

Advanced Cargo Transportation supports commercial shipments with services such as dedicated routes, hazmat drivers, and intermodal transportation. They offer benefits including paid CDL training, tuition reimbursement, and a retirement plan, ensuring well-equipped, professionally-trained drivers. With a dedicated team and ongoing training programs, they focus on safe and reliable delivery of goods for business owners.

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Safety

  • 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

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 46
  • Revenue: $630
  • Miles driven: 2,141,137

Elite Express

9201 River Road, Pennsauken, NJ, 8110
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Building materials
  • Chemicals
  • Construction equipment
  • Produce
  • General
  • Liquids & gases
  • Metal materials
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Box truck
  • Conestoga
  • Container
  • Hopper bottom
  • Lowboy
  • Oversized
  • Sprinter van
  • Tanker
  • Hot shot
  • Consolidation
  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking
  • Hazardous materials

Elite Express (DOT: 751209) is a versatile trucking company with a commendable presence in New Jersey. They specialize in handling a myriad of cargo types, including building materials, chemicals, construction materials, fresh produce, general freight, liquids and gases, metals, paper products, and refrigerated food. Established entities looking for a dependable partner will appreciate their solid safety rating and a diverse fleet, consisting of 203 trucks and 406 trailers, supported by a dedicated team of 166 drivers.

Elite Express offers specialized support for commercial shipments, including hazardous materials transportation, container drayage, and cross-docking services. They provide dedicated routes, team driving services, and guaranteed home time for drivers, enhancing efficiency and reliability. Additional perks such as sign-on bonuses, direct deposit, health insurance, retirement plans, and paid CDL training demonstrate their commitment to both operational excellence and driver satisfaction. With their strong emphasis on quality service and safety, Elite Express stands out as a top choice for business owners seeking premium trucking solutions.

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Safety

  • 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

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 166
  • Revenue: $604
  • Miles driven: 13,400,000

Environmental Transport Group, Inc.

194 Goldmine Road, Flanders, NJ, 7836
  • Fleet size: 50+
  • Fleet age: 5 years
  • Insurance: $5,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Chemicals
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Trash
  • General
  • Intermodal containers
  • Liquids & gases
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed
  • Container
  • Oversized
  • Pneumatic
  • Tanker
  • Hot shot
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Alcohol-insured
  • Hazardous materials

Environmental Transport Group, Inc. (DOT: 485801) is a distinguished trucking company established in 1978, headquartered in New Jersey. With a moderately sized fleet of over 50 trucks and 52 trailers, they specialize in the transportation of hazardous materials, dry bulk commodities, and general freight. The company also efficiently handles intermodal containers and garbage refuse. Their fleet includes flatbed and pneumatic trailers, ensuring diverse and reliable services for varied shipment needs.

Environmental Transport Group, Inc. offers specialized support for commercial shipments, including dedicated routes, hazardous material transport, and last mile delivery services. They provide valuable incentives such as sign-on and driver referral bonuses, health and dental insurance, and a retirement 401k plan. The company maintains a strong emphasis on safety with a satisfactory safety rating and ongoing training development programs. By offering flexible scheduling and guaranteed home time, they ensure optimal working conditions for their drivers.

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Safety

  • 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

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 27
  • Revenue: $11,067
  • Miles driven: 1,909,143

Harbor Freight Transport Corp

301 Craneway St, Newark, NJ, 7114
  • Fleet age: 2 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000

Cargo Types

  • Chemicals
  • General
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Vehicles

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Container
  • Sprinter van
  • Hot shot
  • Lift-gate
  • Consolidation
  • Hazardous materials

Harbor Freight Transport Corp (DOT: 515980) is a reputable trucking company established in 1947, based in New Jersey. They specialize in handling all types of hazardous materials and general freight, including chemicals, machinery, and metal objects. The company operates a fleet of 69 trucks and offers flexible scheduling along with various support services for drivers, including paid CDL training and health insurance.

Harbor Freight Transport Corp provides essential trucking services such as flatbed and dry van transportation. Their capabilities are further enhanced by a range of special support options, including lift gates and container consolidation. They prioritize the safety and satisfaction of their drivers with benefits like guaranteed home time and pay advances. With an active interstate operation and no reported crash injuries or fatalities to date, the company maintains a solid track record for reliability and safety.

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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

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 69
  • Revenue: $25,583
  • Miles driven: 1,708,451

How Safety Ratings Work in New Jersey

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Compliance, Safety & Accountability (CSA) program evaluates trucking companies using BASICS (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories)

Here’s a look at what each of the BASICS cover:

  • Crashes: Trucking companies are required to report any accidents that result in injury or death. The FMSCA uses these state-reported crashes to determine any patterns of crash involvement and potential behaviors contributing to that pattern.
  • Unsafe driving: This CSA category covers behaviors like texting and speeding that can lead to accidents
  • Driver fitness: The FMCSA requires trucking companies to keep up-to-date records on their drivers. That includes identification and paperwork like CDLs, annual driving reviews, and any relevant medical certifications or documentation. Violations of this category will result in lower overall safety scores.
  • Hours-of-service compliance: The FMCSA cites truckers and trucking companies that do not follow or enforce hours-of-service regulations that limit how much time a large commercial vehicle operator can be on the road without rest.
  • Vehicle maintenance: Truckers are responsible for completing inspections before hitting the road on a route. They must also log any issues and have repairs to those identified problems completed before operating the truck.
  • Controlled substances: As with all vehicle operators, truckers must be sober behind the wheel. This category accounts for violations issued to a trucking company’s driver(s) for being under the influence of or in possession of alcohol and street drugs or prescriptionor over-the-counter medicines that could impair judgement.
  • Hazardous materials violations: Trucking companies and their drivers must exhibit proper loading and handling of hazardous materials, including labeling these items correctly, ensuring packaging meets regulations, and follows all restrictions and rules for the vehicle type.

Companies scoring a zero for any or all of the above categories did not receive any citations or other violations within a given month. Essentially, any trucking company that has multiple zeroes in these categories can likely be considered a safe freight shipper in compliance with all FMCSA standards and regulatory requirement.

Choosing the Right New Jersey Hot Shot Trucking Company for Your Shipments

Keep these factors in mind when you’re looking for an New Jersey Hot Shot carrier for your business’ small, time-sensitive loads:

  • Response time and availability: A Hot Shot carrier known for rapid response times that has the capabilities needed to handle urgent, last-minute shipping needs.
  • Specialty services: If you have unique requirements — like temperature control or fragile cargo — choose a Hot Shot carrier with specialized equipment or handling capabilities.
  • Load size and equipment variety: Hot Shot trucks come in various sizes and configurations, so make sure the New Jersey carrier you use can handle your load type, whether it’s palletized goods, machinery, or specialty items.
  • Regional and long-haul capabilities: Some New Jersey Hot Shot carriers focus on local or regional routes, while others offer long-haul services. Make sure you pick one that can accommodate all your routes.
  • Customer service and support: Reliable customer service is crucial for handling any changes or issues with urgent deliveries, giving you peace of mind and control over your shipments. Use a Hot Shot that offers reliable tracking tools so you can monitor your shipment while en route.
  • Driver safety: Experienced Hot Shot drivers understand the urgency of expedited shipping and are skilled at managing loads for timely, safe delivery. Check New Jersey carriers’ safety ratings to see their record of violations and accidents.

FAQs: New Jersey Hot Shot Trucking Companies

What are the advantages of using Hot Shot trucking for urgent deliveries?

The main advantage of Hot Shot shipping on urgent delieveries is that it provides fast, direct transport for small, time-sensitive loads without needing a full trailer. Hot Shot is also a cost-effective and flexible way for New Jersey businesses to handle last-minute shipping.

How is Hot Shot trucking priced compared to other trucking services?

Hot Shot pricing in New Jersey is generally based on load size, distance, and urgency. It’s usually more affordable for smaller loads than full truckload options.

What types of vehicles are commonly used in Hot Shot trucking?

Medium-duty pickup trucks with trailers, such as goosenecks or flatbeds, are most commonly used for Hot Shot shipping. These vehicles are versatile, allowing for quick loading and efficient handling of various cargo types.


Mike Marshall