Long Haul
Long haul trucking involves drivers traveling long distances to deliver freight. Learn more about long-haul driving, the benefits and challenges, and FreightCenter’s relationship with long-haul drivers.
What is Long-Haul Trucking?
Long-haul trucking involves truck drivers traveling vast distances nationwide (and internationally) to deliver freight loads from manufacturers and businesses to retailers and customers. The minimum amount a long haul driver can travel is 250 miles, but most drivers may travel up to 1,000-2,000 miles per load.
Long-haul drivers typically transport large quantities of goods or oversized loads over long distances. Due to the extended travel times between pickup and delivery points, perishable or fragile goods are unsuitable for long-haul transportation. Short-haul or line-haul drivers are usually responsible for transporting these types of freight.
There are two types of long-haul drivers: company drivers and owner-operators. Company drivers work directly for a carrier, while owner-operators are independent contractors or freelancers who get loads via load boards or contracts with carriers. Working for a carrier means receiving benefits like insurance and 401K, while owner-operators have more freedom to choose loads and decide when to take time off.
Long-haul drivers spend days and weeks traveling for each load they take, and they may not return home until they have downtime. Some drivers don’t even have a permanent home; they may live out of their trucks, thanks to sleeper cabs attached to their rigs. These drivers use P.O. boxes for addresses and stay at relatives’ or friends’ houses during their downtime.
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Why Choose FreightCenter?
Expertise in Freight Shipping: With over 25 years in the logistics industry, FreightCenter is dedicated to guiding you through the entire logistics process, from beginning to end. Our goal is to make freight shipping easy to understand and book. Don’t waste time researching and receiving quotes from individual carriers- FreightCenter’s got your back!
Competitive Rates with Tailored Solutions: We prioritize high-quality customer service without breaking your wallet. We utilize our relationships with regional and national carriers to offer you competitive, affordable rates while providing personalized solutions to your needs. Need a liftgate? We got you! Want to expedite your order? Leave it to us! We’re ready to provide tailored solutions that don’t compromise your freight shipment.
Personalized Customer Support: FreightCenter is committed to satisfying our customers. Our friendly customer support team is here to help you every step of the way, from initial inquiries to post-shipment concerns. We handle all aspects of logistics, including tracking, paperwork, and communication with carriers, so you can focus on your business while we manage your shipment. Choose us for our reliable service and affordable quotes!
Duties of a Long Haul Driver
Long-haul drivers have a lot of responsibilities they need to accomplish before, during, and after driving. This includes the following:
- Drive long hours from one location to another to deliver freight loads.
- Load and unload freight and use special equipment if needed
- Perform safety checks and maintenance on their truck
- Obey traffic laws and regulations no matter where they are
- Prepare for emergencies and unexpected interruptions
In addition, long-haul drivers log their hours of service (HOS) into an electronic logging device (ELD). HOS regulations control how long a long-haul driver can drive and when they can’t. Some of these regulations include:
- For long-haul drivers, the maximum driving time is 11 hours, followed by a minimum of 10 hours of rest.
- Maximum of 14 hours on the job (driving or other job-related work) followed by 10 hours of rest.
- Drivers must take a 30-minute break after driving for 8 consecutive hours.
- Drivers cannot drive after 60-70 hours on duty for 7-8 days straight.
- Drivers must take 34 or more hours off duty before starting a new 7-8 day work period.
Long-haul drivers must adhere to HOS regulations for two reasons. First, these rules were put in place for the safety of others. Too much driving can lead to fatigue and sleep deprivation, putting everyone on the road at risk. Secondly, HOS logs are utilized to calculate payment—incorrect logging results in inaccurate or no payment at all.
Becoming a long-haul driver means obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and 3-to-6 months of hands-on training. Drivers also must have the following qualities to be successful at long-haul trucking:
- Reliability and honesty
- Good driving skills
- Good at following directions
- Comfortable in new situations
- Capable of making snap decisions during emergencies like severe weather and vehicle breakdowns
- Comfortable with long periods alone
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Pros and Cons of Long Haul Trucking
Long-haul trucking presents unique but daunting challenges, but its advantages are appealing to truck drivers wanting to take control of their own trucks and travel the country.
Pros
- Long-haul drivers deliver to one destination for one customer, so the only loading and unloading done is at pickup and during delivery.
- Long-haul drivers travel all over the nation (and even internationally), experiencing new sites and exciting locales.
- Long-haul drivers who stick it out and forge solid connections will achieve career stability.
- Owner-operators and contracted drivers have control over their schedules and breaks, while company drivers can receive benefits like health insurance and 401K.
- Because of the length of their trips and the size of their loads, long-haul drivers earn higher pay than short-haul drivers.
Cons
- Loneliness and fatigue are significant issues for long-haul drivers. Carriers remedy this by having drivers work in teams (one drives while the other sleeps) or allowing drivers to keep cats and dogs in their trucks for the company.
- There’s little downtime between loads, as drivers must get to their next load as soon as possible.
- High expenses, such as fuel and meals, can cause drivers to take on more loads to compensate, leading to fatigue and sleep deprivation.
- Drivers may struggle to find high-quality, well-paying loads, leading them to accept low-quality or low-paying loads more often.
- Long-haul drivers are targets for cargo thefts, as they may leave loads unattended during breaks.
FreightCenter’s Relationship with Long Haul Drivers
Long-haul truck drivers have one of the most challenging jobs in the logistics industry as they are required to quickly transport freight over long distances and sleepless nights, all while ensuring quality service, efficiency, and professionalism.
At FreightCenter, we recognize the critical role of long-haul trucking in ensuring seamless supply chain operations. That’s why we have teamed up with over 50 carriers across the nation. Many of our carriers utilize long-haul drivers, both in-house and contracted, to ensure the quick and efficient delivery of your freight. FreightCenter leverages its relationship with carriers to offer customers customizable shipping options and exclusive, cost-effective rates.
Do you need to transport a heavy load across the country? Contact FreightCenter to find the best long-haul carriers in the business. Get started with our free online quote tool or call (800) 716-7608 to speak to one of our agents today!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Long Haul Trucking
Q. What is long-haul trucking?
In long-haul trucking, drivers travel at least 250 miles to deliver bulk goods and heavy or oversized loads. Most drivers drive more, about 1000 to 2000 miles at a time. They typically transport large quantities of goods or oversized loads over long distances. Long-haul drivers spend days and weeks traveling for each load and may not return home until they have downtime.
Q. How does long-haul differ from short-haul?
Short-haul trucking is when drivers deliver freight within a 150-mile radius from their home base. Unlike long-haul drivers, short-haul drivers travel locally and regionally to deliver various-sized goods. Since they don’t have far to travel, they can keep a 9-to-5 schedule and go home almost daily. However, Long-haul drivers get paid more for their service and have more control over what loads they take or when they can take a break (if they’re owner-operators).
Q. Why do long-haul drivers need to log how long they worked?
There are two reasons. First, hours of service (HOS) regulations help keep truck drivers and other drivers safe. Long hours on the road can lead to fatigue, putting all drivers at risk. Second, carriers require a driver’s HOS log to pay them properly. Any errors in the data entry could result in drivers not being paid correctly or no payment at all.
Q. How does someone become a long-haul driver?
Anyone aspiring to be a long-haul driver must acquire a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and complete 3 to 6 months of practical training. Truck driving schools assist prospective drivers in preparing for their CDL tests and practicing driving maneuvers.
3 Advantages of Using FreightCenter
25+ Years of Service
We have over 25 years of experience, as evidenced by our large network of professional carriers. Our knowledgeable team of shipping experts is ready to help you optimize your small business for the intricate world of logistics.
Customizable Shipping Options
Need a liftgate? No problem! Need to ship your products quickly? We got you covered! Our FreightCenter agents can offer tailored solutions for your specific shipping needs while offering affordable rates you can’t find anywhere else.
Friendly Customer Support
Our customer support team has the answers to many of your shipping questions and concerns. We’re here to help you through every step of the shipping process, from initial inquiries to post-shipment issues.
