How to not be tired after long trips?

When I was in my 20s I would drive straight through Florida to Michigan in my van monthly

20-22 hours. Than go down for 12-14 hours.

Now a days in my 50s I couldn’t dream of having that stamina anymore.

It’s nice that they put the 30 minute break on our drive time instead of the on duty. That always used to bite me in the ### going around Chicago .

The new splits are nice also but would be nice to have 5/5s for those nights you just can’t drive another mile safely and your only a100 miles away but you can’t stop your clock.

The single most dangerous thing with that Clock is not being able to have a Leeway built in when you need 4-5 hours of sleep at the end of your day but the 8 now 7 hour break is too much break time to meet your appointment.

 

Wont ever get out of my truck wearin sweatpants , even if i was drunk and halfway dead

 

Your just Oneofthem Skinnyazz Cowboys swimming in his 32 inch waist jeans

 

Yeah i do wear a 32 size but only break out the jeans everyonce in awhile . Dickies work pants is my daily driver

 

Ok I may take some flack over this but trust me. It works. I use compression socks. You feel less fatigue at the end of the day. If your benefits cover them then get prescription socks otherwise the ones you get over the counter at a drug store work well too.

 

While scanning this thread I want to share some thoughts about these comments. That, in my opinion, are tied together.

I know I may get slammed for this comment, but doing this job CORRECTLY WILL CAUSE you to become fatigued! We are humans NOT machines, I don't care what your dispatcher says! This fatigue CAN NOT be avoided. You can not do this job properly doing ANYTHING that takes your mind off the road, your mirror, and the instrument scan. The driving environment can change in an instant. WOE be unto that driver who is so worried about a personal issue to the point of becoming oblivious to that family of 5 that just panic stopped in front of them! In these forums sometimes we see comments about your choice of vocation in regard to trucking. Some people simply can not handle this job or the stresses involved. I recently was speaking to a young driver about this very topic. I told him when the mental fatigue gets to a point it becomes disabling to consider changing to regional or local work for a while.

The average OTR driver is out anywhere from 14 to 28 days. After this long on the road when you get home you are going to be both physically and mentally fatigued. Back in my active days, I would take walks, or even call a cab to take me to a local theatre to watch a movie. I have parked my truck and went sightseeing all over the US, I can't tell you how many times I did resets doing this. I was also lucky enough to have family and/or friends all over the US and sometimes when I had the time I would take a break and go visit. That bed and the shower always did wonders for me. This subject is why I discourage people from "living" in their truck. It's none of my business of course.

I will go back to my main point. This fatigue is common and in my opinion unavoidable. If it becomes so bad it becomes a serious problem I suggest making a change.

 

How do I handle weeks with big mileage and long hauls? To adequately rest on a 34, I drink beer. 12 pk at minimum..that way I get a good soul cleansing sleep.

 

This post.....I love the split. It teaches a driver how to pace oneself. Drivers think that they have to get it all at once. Break it up. I'm on a 762 mile run now. I split it 3 ways, but that's largely because I'm about to enter recap