Long Haul Truck drivers, also called semi-truck drivers, are the backbone of the transport sector in the U.S.A. They move cargo throughout outlandish places, making sure there is a continuous supply of commodities for the smooth running out of the modern economy.
However, have you ever wondered to what distance these loyal employees go off their homes and what makes them go that much to cover?
Average distance traveled by a semi-truck driver
The life of a long-haul trucker is certainly not an ordinary one. They are known to be carrying lots of luggage at great distances from their home’s base point.
Considering that these officers might be absent from home for extended durations, it is essential to ascertain the number of miles covered by them and define their routes as well.
Truck drivers’ daily mileage varies for numerous reasons, such as type of hauling, regulations, and lifestyle choices. In the United States, long haul or O.T.R. truck drivers, on average, travel anywhere from 500 to 600 miles per day.
In an average workweek, this means approximately 2500-3000 miles driving with required rest periods and the Hours of Service (HOS) statutes.
Traveling for such long hours through regions with rough terrain can also cause the wearing out of crucial truck components, rush shipping from dealers such as Maxim for truck parts is common when breaking down on the road.
Nevertheless, such percentages are variable, and drivers have stringent rules governing the number of operating hours to ensure driver fatigue and better highway security.
Factors that affect the distance traveled by semi-truck drivers:
The distance a semi-truck driver covers can vary significantly based on several key factors, including:
Type of Hauling
A trucker will travel as far as necessary depending on the kind of freight he was assigned to transport.
Some truck drivers may just move up and down along some short tracks like, for instance, the local or regional truckers who are focused on delivering merchandise within a small local area.
However, most long-haul truckers who operate beyond the state usually cover a longer distance away from their starting point.
Routes and Regions
Distance traveled is also influenced by geographical location. Truckers operating in thickly populated areas like the Northeastern U.S. can have shorter trip lengths and spend more time at home.
However, for those operating in sparsely populated places such as the American Midwest or the Australian outback, it is routine for them to travel many miles trying to reach a destination.
Company Policies
Trucking companies also vary in their objectives. However, others will deal with short hauls to serve local industries, and others will concentrate on long-haul transportation. What distance their drivers travel depends on the clients of the firm and their favorite ways.
Regulations and Hours of Service
Truck drivers have stringent rules such as Hours of Service limits (to avoid truck driver fatigue) as part of the effort for safer roads. These regulations say how long a commercial driver operates in several hours of service.
Consequently, the truckers would be forced only to undertake a specified distance throughout one shift. Nevertheless, most long-haul truckers tend to drive as far as they can while still within their legal travel limit.
Home Base Location
The place where a truck driver starts and ends is also one of the factors considered while measuring the distance they cover.
However, if the home destination for drivers is centralized to central distribution locations, they are likely to possess a lesser distance to cover as well as easier routes.
