I think I've seen this addressed before, but I can't find it so I'll ask again. I have been with my first company for seven months now. I really don't have any problems with it at all. Winter was a bit of a strain, but now I'm getting really good miles and making good money for a dry van newbie. However, that's for a newbie. I had every intention of staying for at least a year, but a family connection has set me up with a heavy hauler company at which I'll be making veteran's money and get a lot more home time. I would have to be with my current company for at least five years to make anwhere near the kind of money I'll start with at the new one. Obviously, this is going to be too good an opportunity to turn down. I'm already routed back towards home - all the way across the country - and need to go ahead and inform my terminal manager that it will be my last run. Any advice on the etiquette involved in this? In my old career, two weeks notice in writing was expected. Thoughts?

Two weeks notice is the common courtesy, even in trucking. However, if you need to get started on your new job I wouldn't sweat it.

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The center of every man's existence is a dream. Death, disease, insanity, are merely material accidents, like a toothache or a twisted ankle. That these brutal forces always besiege and often capture the citadel does not prove that they are the citadel.
--G. K. Chesterton

Its funny that companies want a 2 week notice when you quit, but dont give YOU a 2 week notice when they fire you. If youve got that job nailed down, I wouldnt worry much...as Zero says. If they were a good company to work for, Id atleast give them some sort of notice.
Take this with a grain of salt, as this advice comes from a n00b.

If you're sitting close enough to the terminal, and your house. Give them 2 weeks. Otherwise.... flip a coin.

Many companies want 2 weeks. And many drivers want to give 2 weeks. But in the real world, both rarely allow it to come about.

Professional courtesy demands it of us (two weeks). But, you must weigh your options too.

How much do you trust your current employer to do the right thing?

A quit without notice on your DAC, will not even raise an eyebrow at a new/prospective employer. Especially since there very few companies with more than 400 employees that have fewer than 25 in orientation every week.

Job hopping and abandoned trucks are looked at very closely. But, even those 2 items are not preventing people from getting another job now days.

My current company, will get 2 weeks....period. They've treated me well, and I will return the courtesy, if I ever decide to leave them. I have had to call my dispatcher once in the last 2 months with a "complaint". Said complaint was resolved immediately, and I was paid for the mistake made by another employee, that forced me to sit overnight.

I would only give a notice if you are sure your present company won't put you thru the mill in your last weeks. I would simply tell them the truth,but only after you are absolutely positive that you know you have that new job. Thats not listening to your friend or relative but your new boss. In the past i was surprised to find a so called friend said I was all set,upon talking to the new boss he acted like i was a fresh new person and found out my friend never talked to him about me,but knew they were hiring. Also be sure,again from the bosses mouth what you are expecting and gonna get for miles and money,and home time. Best of luck to you. Let us know how you make out. Then you can help others find their way like you did. I'm very glad for you. I did heavy hauling from 78 to 83, and with c&h trans in 75 and 76,loved it,had motels at night alot.,great times,heavy haulers are a class of their own.

Thanks all. I gave two-weeks notice this morning after calling to accept the new job and to work out some details. I don't think I'll get put through the mill. If I do, it'll really only be for about a week since I'm headed cross-country for the next four days and will probably need to do a restart after I deliver. I'd been putting off writing a review of my current company until I'd been with them longer, but I guess I'll be putting something up in a couple of weeks. They've gotten some bad press on here lately that hasn't been reflective of my own experience thus far. Let's hope that's not about to change ... Thanks again!

A couple of my previous employers (not trucking) I had, when I found a new job and offered a two week notice, they told me to go ahead and leave right then. Common courtesy says leave a notice, but with the attitude most, not all, but most management personnel have, why even bother?