What kind of schedules do people drive?

Your loads will dictate the hours you run. Also what you do will dictate that as well. Reefers typicly run early morning hours midnight to 8am is peak working hours for them. Flatbeds run bankers hours for the most part 6am to 5pm
Mon-fri





American Trucker

 

I drive team and we do a 10 on 10 off deal.

For solo it depends on a lot of different factors like when you pick up, when it has to be delivered, etc. I always tried to keep my driving time down to 9 hrs or so. That way I wouldn't run up my 70 too quick. It doesn't always work out that way though. Most likely there won't be a set schedule. Sometimes a load picks up at 3am, sometimes 7 pm, etc.

 

I try to do my driving between 10pm and noon. Unless I get a live load/delivery appointment in the afternoon, usually I can work morning deliveries and pickups. But I run the load based on the times given for pickup/delivery.

I sleep just fine during the day. Driving at night means less traffic, generally faster fueling, and less weigh stations/bears out on the prowl. I don't even think of trying to use a rest area at night as they are packed, but the fuel islands at the truck stops are usually pretty empty for the quick rr break. Then in the late morning when I'm ready for bed even the smallest truck stop/rest area has parking available.

 

There are far too many variables to discuss all the possible methods. There are times when you can "run it the way you want" as in drop/hook on both ends and that comes down to a matter of personal preference, as well as other more practical matters. The 11/10 rarely holds for long exactly that way due to stopping to eat, weather, rush hour, waiting here and there, etc.

The reality is, unless you find yourself pulling predominantly 1500+ mile loads, your schedule is going to be "mixed" at best, and the occasional 10:00pm appointment or 5:30am appointment, combined with "regional" hauling aspects, and home-time options, you will find you have very little opportunity to set your own "preferred" schedule.

 

Yeah, what he said.

 

If I can have a set driving schedule it would be 3am-2pm for me, time enough to beat morning rush hour in some areas and get the driving out the way.

 

I like those hrs too.You beat the traffic and you have all afternoon free.I use to deliver to Dallas every week and I would beat the traffic and be at the receiver by 6 am.

 

Not only that....but the truck stops have lots of "pull through" parking before 10am!

 

You HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING, RIGHT? Please tell me you are kidding?