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5 Best Hot Shot Trucking Companies in North Dakota

Mike Marshall, Shipping Expert

After reviewing North Dakota Hot Shot trucking providers based on key factors like cost, reliability, and customer reviews, we chose Crosscountry Freight Solutions, Inc. as the top company.

Take a closer look at Crosscountry Freight Solutions, Inc. and our other top picks to find a Hot Shot company in North Dakota 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 North Dakota. Every North Dakota 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 North Dakota for your commercial shipping needs.

Crosscountry Freight Solutions, Inc.

1841 Hancock Drive, Bismarck, ND, 58501
  • Fleet size: 50+
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Chemicals
  • Construction equipment
  • Farm supplies
  • General
  • Liquids & gases
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Vehicles
  • Oilfield equipment
  • Utility tools, parts & equipment
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Auto carrier
  • Conestoga
  • Container
  • Step deck
  • Hopper bottom
  • Lowboy
  • Oversized
  • Pneumatic
  • Power only
  • Tanker
  • Dump trailer
  • Hot shot
  • B-train semi
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Cross-border
  • Consolidation
  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking
  • Hazardous materials

Crosscountry Freight Solutions, Inc. (DOT: 313378) is a well-regarded freight trucking company founded in 1980, serving North Dakota and beyond. Their extensive fleet includes various truck types such as reefers, flatbeds, and dump trailers, supporting diverse cargo needs from agricultural supplies to oversized machinery. Their specialized services include hazardous material transport, hauling motor vehicles, and cross-border shipping.

Crosscountry Freight Solutions offers numerous commercial shipment support services including expedited, cross-docking, and power-only transport. They emphasize employee benefits like health and dental insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and ongoing training programs. The company also provides key perks to drivers such as sign-on bonuses, direct deposit, and guaranteed home time, making it a reliable partner for business owners looking to ship their products efficiently and safely.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 20
  • Unsafe driving: 0.57
  • Driver fitness: 0.02
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.11
  • Vehicle maintenance: 3.2
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 20

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 502
  • Revenue: $24,637,000
  • Miles driven: 35,000,000

Magnum Ltd

3000 7th Ave N, Fargo, ND, 58102
  • Fleet size: 50+
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Chemicals
  • Construction equipment
  • Farm supplies
  • Produce
  • General
  • Livestock feed
  • Lumber
  • Meat
  • Metal materials
  • Utility tools, parts & equipment
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed
  • Auto carrier
  • Step deck
  • Sprinter van
  • Hot shot
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Hazardous materials

Magnum Ltd (DOT: 184416) is a reputable trucking company based in North Dakota, operating since 1978. With a robust fleet of over 578 trucks and specialized drivers, Magnum Ltd handles a diverse range of cargo, including agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, chemicals, fresh produce, general freight, grain feed hay, lumber, meat, metal sheets/coils, paper products, refrigerated food, and utilities. Their commitment to safety and customer satisfaction is reflected in their satisfactory safety rating and various employee benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses.

Magnum Ltd offers a variety of specialized services including hot shot, flatbed, dry van, and cross-border shipments. They also provide essential support for commercial shipments, such as hazardous materials transport, expedited drivers, lift gate services, and guaranteed home time for drivers. For business owners seeking reliable and diverse shipping solutions, Magnum Ltd stands out with its dedication to quality service and extensive cargo handling capabilities.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 23
  • Unsafe driving: 1.92
  • Driver fitness: 0.04
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.28
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.6
  • Controlled substances: 0.04
  • Hazardous materials violations: 1

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 294
  • Revenue: $15,765,000
  • Miles driven: 24,600,000

North Central Transportation, Inc.

2389 Business Loop I 94, Mandan, ND, 58554
  • Fleet size: 20 to 49
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Farm supplies
  • General
  • Livestock feed
  • Intermodal containers
  • Livestock
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Vehicles
  • Oilfield equipment
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Tanker
  • Hot shot

North Central Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 911282) offers a broad range of trucking services in North Dakota. Established with a dedication to safety and reliability, the company boasts a satisfactory safety rating and a modern fleet with an average age of three years. They specialize in various types of freight, including agricultural and farm supplies, beverages, building materials, construction, general freight, machinery, paper products, refrigerated foods, and more.

North Central Transportation provides comprehensive support for commercial shipments with services like dry bulk commodities, hot shot, dry van, intermodal containers, and tankers. Their team of regional, local, and over-the-road drivers ensures flexible and reliable delivery options. The company also offers additional benefits such as direct deposit, safety bonuses, health insurance, driver referral bonuses, guaranteed home time, and ongoing training and development programs. Their focus on diverse cargo and specialized services makes them a strong contender for businesses looking to ship products efficiently and safely.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 1
  • Unsafe driving: 1.2
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
  • Vehicle maintenance: 9.72
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 21
  • Revenue: $4,292
  • Miles driven: 831,789

Reliance Transportation, Inc.

717 21st Street North, Fargo, ND, 58102
  • Fleet size: 11 to 25
  • Fleet age: 5 years
  • Insurance: $750,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • General
  • Metal materials
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed
  • Auto carrier
  • Step deck
  • Oversized
  • Pneumatic
  • Hot shot
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Alcohol-insured
  • Cross-docking
  • Hazardous materials

Reliance Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 203067) is a reputable trucking company located in North Dakota, founded in 1977. They operate a fleet of 15 trucks and specialize in shipping a diverse range of cargo, including beverages, refrigerated foods, paper products, and metal sheets, coils, and rolls. The company’s focus on general freight and dry bulk commodities ensures they can effectively cater to various shipping needs, providing reliable services for business owners.

Reliance Transportation offers specialized support for commercial shipments, such as hazmat transportation and cross-docking services, ensuring seamless logistics for their clients. They also provide advantageous driver benefits, including sign-on bonuses, health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans, which reflect their commitment to employee satisfaction and safety. With a satisfactory safety rating and dedicated interstate operations, Reliance Transportation stands out as a dependable choice for businesses seeking comprehensive trucking services and consistent delivery performance.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 0
  • Unsafe driving: 6.32
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.51
  • Vehicle maintenance: 12.37
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 11
  • Revenue: $3,574
  • Miles driven: 887,000

Crazy Cowboy Trucking, Inc.

7330 35th Ave Nw, Berthold, ND, 58718
  • Fleet size: 11 to 25
  • Fleet age: 2 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Farm supplies
  • General
  • Livestock feed
  • Intermodal containers
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Vehicles
  • Oilfield equipment

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed
  • Container
  • Step deck
  • Hot shot
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Consolidation
  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking
  • Hazardous materials

Crazy Cowboy Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 368347) is a reputable trucking company servicing North Dakota with a fleet size of 22, established to deliver top-notch logistic solutions. Specializing in general freight, hazardous materials, and the transportation of a variety of cargo including building materials, farm supplies, and large machinery, they excel in both intermodal containers and oilfield equipment logistics. Their commitment to flexibility is showcased through dedicated routes, hot shot services, and expedited shipping options.

Crazy Cowboy Trucking, Inc. offers impressive commercial shipment support features such as direct deposit, health insurance, vision and life coverage, as well as dedicated and long-haul (OTR) drivers. The company’s commitment to driver welfare is highlighted through safety and sign-on bonuses, guaranteed home time, and paid time off. Their commercial services are further bolstered by cross-docking, managed transportation, and last mile delivery, establishing them as a reliable partner for business owners looking to ship their products efficiently and safely.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 1
  • Unsafe driving: 0.51
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
  • Vehicle maintenance: 4.25
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 4
  • Revenue: $656
  • Miles driven: 270,000

How Safety Ratings Work in North Dakota

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 North Dakota Hot Shot Trucking Company for Your Shipments

Keep these factors in mind when you’re looking for an North Dakota 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 North Dakota carrier you use can handle your load type, whether it’s palletized goods, machinery, or specialty items.
  • Regional and long-haul capabilities: Some North Dakota 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 North Dakota carriers’ safety ratings to see their record of violations and accidents.

FAQs: North Dakota 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 North Dakota businesses to handle last-minute shipping.

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

Hot Shot pricing in North Dakota 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