Trucking 101 –
Expectations & Trip Planning

By Daryl Chappell

There are basic things you must know and do to be successful as a professional driver. Your first year is usually the toughest and you have a lot to learn, so be patient and eat the elephant one bite at a time. In part 2 of this Trucking 101 series, we’re going to go over expectations and trip planning.

Expectations

We’ll use this photography info-graphic as an example: What people think a photographer does versus what a photographer actually does. Similar to an iceberg, there is much more to most jobs than meets the eye. Now apply this concept to every facet of the transportation process and you’ll be starting from a much better position to begin your professional journey.

Working the System

If you don’t know how the “system” works, how do you establish realistic expectations? Simply stated, ask questions. I’m serious. Your driver manager, operations manager, safety personnel, log clerk, etc. are the ones to go to for information. During driver training and orientation you are given a tremendous amount of information to absorb. Admittedly, some of it is as dry as an overcooked turkey, but that doesn’t make it less important. Start by understanding the things expected of you as a driver and trust there is a reason for each one. I’m a “why” person. For me to understand and apply the “how,” sometimes I have to know the “why.” Just ask your team and they’ll help you understand.

A side note about where not to go for answers: Non-company social media groups, truck stops, and fellow new drivers are great places to potentially get bad answers and worse advice. Stick to your team for the information you need.

Answers you weren’t expecting

Sometimes when we ask questions, we get answers we don’t like, don’t agree with, or weren’t looking for. When this happens, and it will, stay frosty. Give yourself some time to think about it. You can circle back around later and get clarification.

Trip planning

Trip planning is as much an art as it is a science, and while I can’t cover every thing to consider, this should help you get a solid start in the right direction. You’ll need a notebook, calculator, current road atlas, some type of roadside guide or app, and a couple of guideline variables. Being safe and on-time is the goal of this exercise.

Average Speed

From the time you start your run, to the time you arrive at the receiver, (not counting DOT breaks) divided by the number of miles you traveled = average speed. Your truck is governed to 62 mph at the pedal and 64 mph on cruise. Despite what some drivers will tell you, unless you are on an open road with no traffic, starting and ending at a freeway exit, you can’t average 60 or even 55 mph.
My best drivers would average 47 to 50 mph for trip planning purposes. Why so slow, you ask? City driving, construction, freeway congestion around urban areas, weather, accidents, breaks, and more.

Breaks & Fuel

How long does it take to get a restroom break and a drink refill? 10-15 minutes, right? Wrong. The calculation actually starts from the time you begin to decelerate from cruising speed. Slow down for the exit, stop at the intersection, pull into the plaza, park, walk across the lot, restroom, refill, wait in line at the register, and reverse the process till you’re back at cruising speed.
You’re break takes a minimum of 30 minutes on average. Add waiting in line for fuel and scales and it takes even longer. This will cut into your average speed.

Routing

Knowing your route is a major player in trip planning. Pull out the atlas and check out the route. Let’s say your route takes you up the I95 corridor. Knowing you’re going to have to pass through some congested areas, it’s a good idea to try & plan your trip to avoid the times with the heaviest traffic whenever possible.

Information

Making sure you have all the correct and necessary load information – like pick-up and drop numbers – before you roll out can save precious time at shippers and receivers. Without them, a 30 minute drop & hook can turn into a much longer situation. These delays not only cut into your driving time, but they also affect your overall average speed.

DOT Breaks

Seasoned drivers will tell you, “If you aren’t parked at a truck stop by 4:30 in the afternoon, you probably aren’t going to get a parking spot.” First tip: Don’t get hung up thinking you have to take your break at a truck stop when there are a lot of other options. While there are many others available, I personally recommend the book/app “The Next Exit” for this purpose. This is the best resource I’ve used to know what’s available on the road.

Early Pickups and Deliveries

Whenever possible and based on accurate trip planning, ask for permission to pick up or deliver your load early. The sooner you finish your current load, the sooner you can roll for the next load. That equals more miles on the paycheck.

Keep in mind that every professional goes back to the basics from time to time in order to stay sharp. Mastering your expectations and trip planning will significantly reduce stress, increase your energy, and improve your experience as a professional driver.

We’ll have more for you soon via blog posts and articles in upcoming issues of PAM Quarterly. In the meantime, don’t wait on more articles. Take a look at how you approach these trucking 101 topics and start a dialogue with your driver manager about how to improve.

Through the Driver Life Cycle program at PAM, you have some fantastic opportunities and we provide you with the resources you need to be successful. The route you take with your career is up to you.