Over-the-Highway Trucking Defined

April 6, 2022

Over-the-road trucking is a crucial employment trade in the USA. It doesn’t matter what any trade produces, its items should journey across the nation to succeed in their remaining vacation spot. Over-the-road truck drivers make this occur and function the spine of American transportation.

Over-the-road trucking (OTR), additionally known as long-haul trucking, is the transportation of products over lengthy distances. OTR drivers are usually on the highway for a number of weeks at a time. Because of this, many OTR drivers function sleeper cab vehicles to permit them to relaxation throughout their off-hours at designated truck stops. 

In our information beneath, we define the fundamentals of over-the-road trucking. We additionally focus on the benefits and downsides of OTR driving, in addition to what necessities drivers should meet to be OTR eligible.

What’s Over-the-Highway Trucking?

Over-the-road trucking entails hauling cargo over lengthy distances and being on the highway for over a number of weeks at a time.

What Sort of Freight is Hauled on an Over-the-Highway Route?

The kind of freight hauled on OTR routes varies from firm to firm. At ABCO Transportation, we focus on devoted, regional, and over-the-road freight companies. We are able to deal with your entire transportation wants, from temperature companies to dry freight. Our over-the-road companies are very important to the availability chain’s success. Among the many companies we offer are:

OTR Companies

• Lengthy Haul Expedited (Crew Transit)
• Regional (Southeast/Northeast/Midwest/West)
• Refrigerated/Dry
• HAZMAT/Tanker
• Excessive Worth

How A lot House Time Do OTR Truck Drivers Get?

Over-the-road drivers usually work for 4-6 weeks earlier than returning dwelling. Then again, many drivers choose to remain out longer or spend their “dwelling time” someplace aside from their precise home. A significant factor within the period of time OTR drivers spend on the highway is whether or not they’re owner-operators or employed by an organization. Drivers that work for an organization have their highway and residential time dictated by their employer.

Relationships or long-term partnerships is likely to be strained by such a piece schedule and it’s all the time a good suggestion to have an intensive dialogue together with your accomplice to guage if such a way of life is possible. Earlier than taking a job that calls for nationwide driving, it’s necessary to contemplate how a lot time you’ll be away from dwelling.

How Far Do Over-the-Highway Drivers Journey?

OTR drivers transport items all around the nation, even into Canada and Mexico. Based on the Federal Motor Service Security Administration’s Hours of Service requirements, over-the-road truckers can not drive over 11 hours in a day. An everyday over-the-road route will common 55 to 60 miles per hour if all different components are equal. This equates to 605 to 650 miles a day on the finish of an 11-hour driving shift.

What are the Benefits and Disadvantages of an OTR Trucking Job?

Should you’re an area truck driver contemplating a transfer to an over-the-road fleet, ensure you are conscious of the advantages and potential setbacks of driving over-the-road lanes. 

Benefits

Increased Salaries  

The construction of OTR trucking jobs differs from that of most different occupations. Reasonably than being paid by the hour, most drivers are compensated by the mile. For truckers, it’s not in regards to the time, however in regards to the productiveness. The extra miles you journey, the extra money you’ll earn.

The sum of money you make varies loads primarily based on the trucking agency you’re employed for and the sorts of things you transport. Salaries for truck drivers have been steadily growing over the previous couple of years. Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical yearly compensation for an OTR Truck Driver in 2018 was $43,680, up from $40,260 in 2015. Many veteran drivers, alternatively, may earn upwards of $70,000 per 12 months. 

Drivers, like most different vocations, will take pleasure in huge pay will increase as their expertise grows. Moreover, many trucking firms present sign-on bonuses to recruit new drivers and security bonuses to incentivize glorious driving, owing to a driver scarcity. Each of those bonuses have the potential to extend your annual wage.

Seeing The Nation 

Lengthy-haul trucking jobs usually get pleasure from making the highway your office. For a lot of firm drivers, it’s additionally a chance to absorb the views, eat the meals and expertise the tradition of different elements of the nation. Should you’re younger, single, and adventurous, you possibly can discover that this life-style is good for you.

Job Safety 

Truck driver occupations are sometimes in demand greater than staff from different U.S. industries. There’ll all the time be recent roles accessible as a result of scarcity of truck drivers. Firms within the trucking trade are all the time searching for new drivers, significantly these with expertise and a strong security file, and are prepared to pay higher salaries and bonuses to draw new expertise.

Disadvantages

No Set Schedule  

OTR truckers are topic to strict rules governing the quantity of driving time they will log in a given interval. In consequence, many trucking jobs start after the conclusion of the compulsory relaxation interval, that means your schedule could differ from week to week.

Away From House  

The drawback of OTR trucking jobs is that when you have a household, you, your partner, and your kids, could discover any such journey extraordinarily difficult. Lengthy durations of absence can put a pressure on household relationships. Some truck drivers wrestle to acclimate to spending a lot time alone. Some trucking firms allow your loved ones (and even your pets) to journey with you to stop drivers from lacking their households and turning into burnt out too early.

Necessities Wanted to be an Over-the-Highway Truck Driver

There aren’t many roadblocks to turning into an OTR truck driver, however incomes your Class A CDL is a crucial step. To lawfully function enormous and heavy vehicles in commerce, you’ll want this license. Should you select, you’ll be able to examine by yourself and take the CDL check. So as to add some construction to the educational course of, many drivers elect to take a CDL course at a trucking college.

You’ll want a particular CDL endorsement in case you plan to move hazardous gadgets as a part of your OTR job. This endorsement is called the hazardous supplies (HAZMAT) endorsement, and it may be obtained by passing a CDL HAZMAT check.

Get an Over-the-Highway Trucking Job with ABCO Right now

ABCO Transportation is a Florida-based firm that gives a number of alternatives within the jap half of the U.S. We have now devoted lanes like Southeast (SE) Regional, OTR, Regional, Devoted OTR, and a few native routes.

While you’re pondering of the explanations to change into a workforce truck driver, be part of an organization that cares about making your expertise matter! Click on right here to view our job openings across the nation. Candidates may e-mail recruiting@driveABCO.com or name 800.664.4410 for extra info. On the lookout for our Fb web page? Touch upon a submit together with your zip code and a recruiter will attain out with over-the-road positions close to you!