Hell Bent on Efficiency: Jamie Hagen on Smarter Trucking & MPG

What does it take to run a truck that averages 10 MPG when most hit 6.5? Jamie Hagen, owner of Hell Bent Xpress, joins Nate on Driving Forward to share how he built a South Dakota fleet known for its all-Mack lineup, impressive fuel efficiency, and driver-first culture. Jamie’s trucking story started early riding with his dad at 3, getting his CDL at 18, and buying his first truck at 21. Today, he runs a growing fleet that’s “hellbent” on smart spec’ing, fuel economy, and treating drivers right. In this conversation, Jamie and Nate cover:

• Why he runs an all-Mack fleet and how he squeezes maximum efficiency out of every Anthem
• The fuel-saving strategies every trucker and fleet can use to cut costs
• His philosophy on driver treatment and why retention beats gimmicky recruitment
• The role of technology and data in the future of trucking

Whether you’re an owner-operator, fleet manager, or trucking enthusiast, this is real talk from someone who’s lived the highs and lows of the road and found smarter ways to run.