Truck Driver Mileage: Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Distances

The distance that truck drivers travel varies significantly based on numerous factors such as the type of trucking, regulations, and individual schedules. Here is a detailed breakdown of the typical mileage for different types of truck drivers.

Daily Mileage

Long-Haul Truck Drivers: These drivers typically cover a distance between 500 to 700 miles per day. This can vary depending on the specific route, traffic conditions, and time available for driving within the constraints of hours of service regulations.

Regional Drivers: These drivers usually travel around 200 to 400 miles per day. Their routes are often shorter and more local, allowing them to return to the home base at night.

Local Drivers: These drivers usually cover a distance of 100 to 200 miles per day. Their routes are typically the shortest, often within a small radius of the home base.

Weekly Mileage

Long-Haul Truck Drivers: Typically cover a distance of 2,500 to 3,500 miles per week. This can be achieved with a five to six-day work week, depending on the complexity of the route and the logistics of the job.

Regional Drivers: Often drive about 1,000 to 2,000 miles per week. Their weekly mileage is generally less due to the shorter routes and more local deliveries.

Local Drivers: May cover 500 to 1,000 miles per week. They often work in a circular route, returning home each night.

Monthly Mileage

Long-Haul Truck Drivers: Can accumulate around 10,000 to 15,000 miles per month. This is often due to the high volume of long-haul routes and the consistent, yet sometimes unpredictable, demands of the job.

Regional Drivers: Typically drive 4,000 to 8,000 miles per month. Their weekly mileage is more consistent, making the monthly totals also more predictable.

Local Drivers: May cover 2,000 to 4,000 miles per month. Their mileage is generally lower, reflecting the shorter daily and weekly routes.

Real-World Scenarios and Industry Insights

The figures mentioned above can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances of each driver and their job. For example, in the last 15 years, I personally averaged about 2,000 miles a week and 90,000 miles a year. I engaged in both local work, where I earned a lot of money in one day and didn't travel over 150 miles, and cross-country trips, where I covered up to 600 miles in a single day.

Typically, around 400 to 750 miles per day is the expected mileage for a truck driver, depending on the customer or employer, the available driving hours, and the top speed of the truck. On average, I drive about 3,320 miles a week, where I travel 664 miles from Wichita, Kansas, drop my trailers in Goodland, Kansas, and return to Wichita five days a week. Since I travel from terminal to terminal and don't spend time waiting on shippers to load or unload freight, my schedules are almost never variable from week to week.

Many truckload and long-haulers do not have consistent schedules, and their mileage can vary significantly from week to week. Some may drive fewer miles on some days and more on others, depending on the specific job requirements and logistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do truck drivers manage their working hours within a day and week?

A: Truck drivers must adhere to the Hours of Service (HOS) rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the United States. This includes limits on driving time, on-duty time, and rest periods to ensure the safety of the drivers and others on the road. For example, a driver can drive for up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They must also take at least a 34-hour break within a 7- to 8-day period to ensure adequate rest.

Q: What are the primary factors affecting daily mileage?

A: The primary factors affecting daily mileage include the type of trucking (long-haul, regional, or local), the regulations in place (such as HOS rules), individual schedules, and the top speed of the truck. Traffic conditions and the demand for deliveries also play a crucial role.

Conclusion

Truck driver mileage can vary widely based on numerous factors. Understanding these variations is essential for truck drivers, employers, and the general public to ensure safe and efficient operations within the trucking industry.