What would be the best city or state to live in as a truck driver?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by udrea, Mar 13, 2010.

  1. udrea

    udrea Bobtail Member

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    I am planning to relocate from MI with my family and I still don't know yet where to. South?...WEST?...EAST?...What do you think? California? Virginia? Georgia?
     
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  3. ampm wayne

    ampm wayne Heavy Load Member

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    Indiana is a good location.
     
  4. Biscuit75

    Biscuit75 Road Train Member

    I moved from the Detroit area to Columbus, Ohio about 8.5 years ago. We have terminals for most major companies in this region. Major North/South, East/West routes. We are within 500 miles of over 60% of the nations population, making it a great area for warehousing. I think this is one of the best location for trucking. Maybe not the best, but pretty darn good.
     
    jakebrake12 Thanks this.
  5. Tazz

    Tazz Road Train Member

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    IMHO stay in the center of the country MO,KY,OH,IN,TN, maybe KS,OK, North Texas.Makes finding a decent job with easier home time.Living on the coasts or extreme north or south freight lanes narrow up.

    If your gonna relocate check schools,tax rates, what you want in an area (city/suburban/rural/BFE) then look at the freight lanes near there and which companies run them.


    Got any questions about middle TN I'll try and answer them.
     
  6. outerspacehillbilly

    outerspacehillbilly "Instigator of the Legend"

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    Anywhere along I-70 or I-40 is good, or I-35, I-65, I-75, I-95. These are the most traveled east/west and North/south routes in the country and all are pretty good freight lanes.
     
  7. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    I have found staying in the upper midwest has been the best choice for me. I have concentrated my running in the upper midwest since '98 and have done better overall than running around the 48. It has been more consistent for me and since most of my runs have averaged around 600 miles, give or take, the rates have been better and make up for any longer mile runs. I am leased on with a carrier and I average 15% better rates than those that do 48. Plus I get home every weekend and by the house during the week most times, since I live in Central Iowa.

    Even those that do decide to do 48, there is always freight that moves in and out of the Midwest. Since you live in Michigan now, just stepping sideways into another nearby state would be an easier move and work out well.
     
  8. marmonman

    marmonman Road Train Member

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    Effingham Illinois is the best or St.Louis if you like the bright lights of the big city.

    That way you have the north south and east west covered :biggrin_2554:

    But then some like Key West too soooooo I guess it is up to what your wife wants when it comes right down to it ! At least thats the way it works around my wife's house :biggrin_2551: LMAO
     
  9. jakebrake12

    jakebrake12 Road Train Member

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    I'll vouch for this.. All the LTL companies have major hubs in the Columbus area. If you don't mind running the Northeast, the Harrisburg, Pa region is another huge hub area for all segments of trucking.

    Both of these areas have some pretty decent living options also depending on what you're looking for. I prefer yuppie areas over the country and found a pretty good spot in the Harrisburg area that works for me. If you preferred a country setting, you could drive 10 minutes from my house and be in the sticks.
     
  10. Trashtrucker1265

    Trashtrucker1265 Road Train Member

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    I can tell you where not to go, FLORIDA. I live in Florida and have been lucky enough to maintain a well paying driving job, but I've seen this state hit some of the lowest of lows over the past 5 years. It was nothing to find a driving job without even looking for one, and good paying jobs were still very attainable, but these past few years I've seen the bottom fall out. It's very scary, and sad at the same time, I've had to relocate to keep from losing everything, I used to live in Hernando county, Brooksville to be exact and watched that town literally become a ghost town seemingly over night. There's still a few hot spots in Florida, Tampa, Orlando, Jax, all these cities still seem to be hiring drivers, but as a whole I'd leave Florida out of your wish list, atleast for the next few years.
     
  11. CertifiedSweetie

    CertifiedSweetie Road Train Member

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    I was thinking that too.I thought about moving to columbus or harrisburg or even philidelphia but changed my mind.
     
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