If you’re looking for a career that allows you to travel the country and make money, long haul trucking may be a good fit. Unlike short haul trucking, which typically covers a small radius from the driver’s origin, long-haul drivers travel far and wide, often crossing state lines to get their cargo where it needs to go.
The job of a long haul trucker involves spending many days, weeks or even months driving, sometimes from coast to coast. This can be very exciting, but it also means a lot of time away from home and family.
You can find long-haul trucking jobs online and in your local area. Most of these positions pay well and offer excellent benefits such as paid vacations, 401K contributions and health insurance.
Working as a truck driver is not an easy task, and you’ll need to pass some rigorous tests and qualifications before you can work for any company. However, once you have your commercial driver’s license, you can begin making a living as a long haul trucker.
Safety is key to the long haul trucking industry. The United States Department of Transportation requires all long-haul truckers to complete paperwork that records their stops, breaks and any other issues they encounter along the way. This process helps to ensure that all of the necessary steps are taken to keep drivers safe and to make sure that they’re not disregarding the required shipping breaks or taking shorter ones than needed.
Keeping up with fuel costs is another important aspect of driving for long-haul companies. The cost of fuel can vary widely, and a driver will need to know what the best rate is so that they can plan accordingly.
Other expenses can also be significant, including vehicle maintenance and repairs, as well as a good long-haul trucking insurance policy. These can add up quickly, and are a responsibility that long-haul truckers need to take seriously.
You’ll need to be able to handle the stress of a long drive, which can include dealing with unruly traffic and grumpy fellow truckers. You’ll also need to be able to deal with unpredictable weather conditions and loading delays.
The demand for long-haul trucking is expected to grow, as e-commerce sales continue to increase. This means more and more people will be shopping online, which will require more goods to be shipped across the country in order to meet demand.
Getting started in long-haul trucking can be a difficult step, but once you have the skills and experience to be successful, it can be a rewarding career that offers both great flexibility and opportunities for advancement. It takes some time to get a foot in the door, but once you have established yourself as a reliable and trustworthy driver, you can expect to start getting more desirable routes.
It’s also an interesting opportunity to see the world and interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. As a trucker, you’ll get to experience the country’s rich history and diverse landscapes as you travel from one city to another.