GPS Route Versus PC Miler Route

Mileage and routing and fuel efficiency are collectively referred to as logistics.

Most likely mileage is calculated on departure and arrival zip codes and that's pretty close sometimes.

Routing and fuel efficiency are fuzzy and variable and zip to zip mileage encourages you to not take a scenic route. A company driver's incentive to stay in route is you might get charged for being out of route. For an O/O it's all about mpg's and you will run tight if you have any sense because you already know you're driving further than you're being quoted for.

 

you can buy the pcmiler software. but it's not cheap.

but in the end. you'll still get screwed. that's the nature of trucking.

 

There are several different ways in which you can calculate miles using PC Miler. I use "practical" miles. You can use "shortest" miles. That may not be the quickest or best way for an 18 wheeler to travel. Before I take any load, I run the miles myself. I have noticed that one broker in particular, will use shortest miles when they call me. I usually just add about 10% to the miles and that usually comes closer to the actual miles.

 

You might consider leasing to a company that pays practical route miles.
If a company uses shortest route, that is a bad deal, unless they pay high rates that would help compensate.
I own a truck and have been considering companies to lease to. I am avoiding companies that don't pay practical route mileage. With the cost of fuel, I need to be paid for the miles I drive.

 

I have PC Miler. I can route practical, shortest or hub and can route based upon pulling a 53' trailer or avoid toll roads. There are several ways in which you can run your route with PC Miler. I have also used google maps and mapquest. With either of them you can literally route from door to door. In a way, PC Miler is best since you can also print out your state miles based upon your route. Add your fuel gallons purchased on the trip and you have your IFTA paperwork ready to submit or input into your computer. I think that PC Miler is the quickest way to run a route. I have it set to run the route the way that I want so that all I need to do is put in the start and end city and state. I usually don't route door to door when I am looking at a load, but doing the way I do will be close. I may also use zip codes. I usually get decent rates so a few miles either way won't impact my decision as to whether I will take the load or not. I usually don't route shortest miles since it can route on roads that may not allow a 53' trailer or for some other reason. Practical routing is the most likely or practical route you would take with an 18 wheeler. PC Miler is not cheap, but if you can afford it, the program is a good tool to use in this industry.

 

That is the truth! Lol

I work for a great company, and thats how we get paid, i run roughly 3-4% over the pc miler stated route, and i do not run the route 100%, have found it to put you on roads you do not want to be on, just my 2 cents.

I have had very good luck with rand-macnally 710 gps

 

Using PC Miler as your documentation for IFTA and IRP is not sufficient documentation. Those records are not original documentation, do not route all miles or include the actual routes traveled.

 

also, google maps and mapquest are NOT good sources for comparing routes to a trucker program.

any type of CAR application will always screw you on the miles. trucks can't go everywhere cars can.,

take lovell, wy to reno nv. use google and you'll screw yourself out of 180 miles. trucks can't go through yellowstone park.