Breaking Into Trucking: How Regional Routes Offer the Best Starting Point

Truck drivers are the backbone of the American economy. If it weren’t for them, our stores would be empty. Any merchandise that was ready to make its way into customers’ hands would be gathering dust in warehouses. Businesses wouldn’t be able to get materials to process or manufacture more goods. Products from elsewhere would be piling up at ports across the country with no way to get them to their final destinations. 

We depend heavily on truck drivers, even more so than most people realize. Unfortunately, though, there’s a growing shortage of drivers in America. Right now, its stands at about 80,000, but it could double by decade’s end. If you’re interested in becoming a truck driver, this would be a fantastic time to break into the industry. Should you choose long hauls, regional routes, or local runs, though? For many truckers, regional truck driving jobs are the best place to start. 

Exploring Different Types of Truck Driving Jobs

First, let’s take a closer look at each of the three main categories of truck driving jobs. Long hauls, or over-the-road driving jobs, usually span 500 miles or more, and they can keep drivers away from home for weeks at a time. As an over-the-road driver, you could cross multiple states or even the entire country in a single run.

You’d sleep in your truck or potentially stop at hotels along your route. Long hauls often pay more per mile than shorter runs. Still, keeping up with your drive time and being sure you stay in compliance with hours-of-service regulations can definitely be a challenge. 

Local runs, on the other hand, are short routes. You’re likely to stay within a 150-mile radius of home base, and you’ll probably be home every night. Local runs tend to come with more predictable schedules and more time at home, but they often pay less.

Regional routes fall into the middle of the spectrum. They may entail covering two to five states during your runs. You might be able to make it home every night, or you may be away from home for a few days at a time depending on your specific route. You’ll still be held to hours-of-service regulations. 

Why Regional Routes Are a Good Starting Point

Now, let’s discuss the reasons why regional routes are a good starting point for newcomers to truck driving. For one, there’s the work-life balance to consider. With long hauls, drivers are away from home for extended periods, and they have little time to spend with their families. Local routes get you home every night, but by the time you get home, you’re so exhausted, you just want to eat dinner and go to bed. Regional runs give you the best of both worlds. 

Then, there’s the experience factor to consider. Jumping straight into over-the-road driving after getting your CDL can be difficult. Despite meeting the training requirements, driving a truck long distances exposes you to numerous unexpected situations that you can’t really prepare for in advance. You’re not likely to run into the same types of issues on local routes, so you may not get the experience you need to be able to deal with them if you decide to transition to long hauls. Regional runs ease you into the industry while still giving you valuable experience. 

Finding Your Place in the Trucking Industry

There’s no denying that the world needs truck drivers, and that need is going to grow even more in the years to come. Not all driving jobs are right for all drivers, though. If you’re new to the industry, regional routes are a bit of a compromise between long hauls and local driving. In many cases, that’s the perfect sweet spot to start a career as a truck driver.