can someone explain practical miles? and their advantages/disadvantages

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by steveo, Sep 14, 2008.

  1. steveo

    steveo Bobtail Member

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    Im trying to decide on a few different companies and one offers practical miles. sounds good but how would i know?
     
  2. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    If they run on Practical miles (anything but) you'll be getting paid about 10% less than you would running hub miles. Sometimes the routing software that is used also likes to run you on US highways, which usually include small towns with stop signs, etc which increases your travel time.
     
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  3. Sabine in Mo

    Sabine in Mo Medium Load Member

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    Practical are exactly what the name says, a practical way for you, the truck driver, to get from point a to point b.

    There may be times when the practical may not be the way you would go, but if you adhere to the route, you will get paid pretty closely what you drive.

    I stay on route for the most part, but there are a couple of places I don't:

    Coming from Idaho, going to Wyoming I go I-84 to I-80. I don't go on I-30, too much camper traffic in the summer.

    Continuing on to Denver I stay on the big road (80 to 25) instead of cutting down in Laramie on 287, which I hate 287, but that is just me.
     
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  4. Johnny99

    Johnny99 Johnny be Good

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    Practical miles are better than HHGMovers guide miles that most companies pay. HHG will run you over every gray line on the map, even though trucks aint allowed on most of those roads.
     
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  5. User Name

    User Name Light Load Member

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    Also most companies will run practical miles from zipcode to zipcode & not door to door, which shorts you most of the time.
     
  6. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    Most companies pay HHG on city border to city border. This allows them to pay shorter miles that no one would use because of the slower speeds and smaller towns.
     
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  7. MGASSEL

    MGASSEL Road Train Member

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    That little short cut on 287 is a dangerous one there are alot of crazy drivers out on that part.
    There has been some truck wrecks out there due to 4 wheelers trying to pass a truck or another car and head on a truck sometimes they get lucky and only head on another car.
    Sometimes the 4 wheelers get out alive sometime they die from their stupid mistake.
     
  8. tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    the worst I got screwed with bird miles was from Detroit to El Paso,about 250 miles difference. But now I get practical miles and it's real close and sometimes over the hub miles.
    :biggrin_25525: Me like practical miles more.:yes2557:
     
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