How to do a proper tripplan?

Well; I got in the habit of using a GPS for distance and driving time. The old way I would calculate miles based on 50 mph. Take into account, fueling, time changes, where to shut down, etc. It will come back to you after you get back in the swing of things.

 

What I have learned from the many people that have given good advice is.....

Find out about your miles, learn your route, look up your route for info about intersections near delivery, with a erasable marker write on your windshield the freeways / exits that you need (write in the middle of windshield out of normal vision. Have fun and drive safe.

And if you do get lost? Dont be afraid to stop at a fire station / police station or a auto parts store to ask delivery info.

 

Depends on where your running and how fast your truck runs. Out east and any states that are 65mph it's best to plan at 50 mph avg. If you keep the left door shut you can do much better but planning this way will give you more time for backups, construction delays etc....... and more time at the end of the day when you shut down to relax.

Always call for directions this will save you a lot of headaches and time trying to find someplace. ( Unless of course your going to Jersey and then it does no good to call cause they don't know where they work or how to get there )

Also figure out how many miles your truck can run on a full tanks of fuel and that will make it easier to plan your fuel stop especially if you have specific places that you have to fuel at.

Like notarps said a gps or computer is a good way to find out your mileage from point a to point b which makes it easier to have a good plan when you know almost exact mileage. Other than that gps are useless so don't follow it, follow your directions that you called and got!

 

OK here we go!
Got that laptop? If so then get a map program made for TRUCKS! Buy it and claim the price on your taxes even if you are a company driver!

Do NOT trust a GPS unless it's also made for TRUCKS! But still be a little distrustful of them because I've heard a few stories that will make your hair stand on end having to do with being routed on restricted roads, low bridges, high R/R crossings, weight restricted bridges and even onto Parkways!

Also have that Road Atlas that has all that useful information you need to do your job in the front of the book! It's tax deductible too.

Paper fold out maps of the bigger major cities like NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, (and the Chicago low clearance overpass map if you can find one!) all tax deductible!

Cell phone. If you use it to call shippers, receivers, dispatch and anything else work related its tax deductible! The same with the broadband card! Use it to find any work related information deduct it!

Now to do that trip plan:

Got that dispatch I guess!

First, are you lucky enough to have a communications dispatch device in the truck like Qualcomm or People Net or whoever?

Then follow the company rules they gave you for verifying that you will take the load. Then get the directions to both p/u and del! The computer should show you the miles on the dispatch and if lucky will give you the route they are going to PAY you to drive and should even give you directions.

Now the first thing you need to do is check the directions you were given! I've not only seen bad directions given to me I've seen drivers blindly follow directions off the screen that were given by someone who takes the bus to work or hubby drives them and they don't have a clue! One giveaway is if they say take a PARKWAY! I've even seen directions given by DRIVERS that were so screwed up it's a wonder they can even find their mouth with a fork without help! And yes there are a lot of them out there!

Now break out the Map book or laptop and check the route you were given or the route you should take. Look up the miles and figure the time by dividing by 55 or whatever you think you can average or what the company tells you that you can average.

If you have a good truck routing program on that Laptop then run it and hope you have set the speeds to what you can legally average and it will tell you the route and put it on a map and you can even print out the written route.

Always add several hours to your time for the Murphy Clause! Murphy will strike when you least expect it to!

Do not expect to get loaded as soon as you hit the shippers lot! You've been local and will think I'm here let's go! Life is going back to what you used to know! I hope you didn't forget!

When you are loaded and have paper work in hand you can now go back to your "schedule" you made up and start the clock but now you have to watch that 14 hour clock that hasn't stopped!

HINT: The best money I ever spent was buying a copy of Drivers Daily Log! It's been a life saver and I NEVER had a bad log book or have ever been written up by DOT or company! What is so good about the program is it has a setting where it will show exactly where you are time wise on the log! I also use it to route myself and this way you will know how long or where you need to stop and you're not racking your skull using that calculator and map book to figure out the who's and whats are happening!

Just remember that we can no longer stop the clock one it' s started for the day! Use that Log program beside your routing program to get the most out of your day!

Let dispatch know your PTA's and ETA's and/or any other problem that happens! A GOOD dispatcher will know when you tell him something it's for him to CYA or his and the companies!

If there is even a hint that the directions given into the shipper or receiver use that cell and call them! I hear of drivers that refuse to use their cell for that! Well go ahead but you need to realize that if you have those free minutes and it will save you TIME, call them! It's a darn sight cheaper to get good directions and drive straight in instead of driving in circles adding miles you don't get paid for and not to mention the TIME you lose by driving those miles from off the log book! Another good thing about calling them is when you call them add just for the sake of conformation the time you were given to be there and see if it's good! Let me tell you I've been given times that were HOURS off! Get what the dock foreman has and let the company know that someone screwed the pooch! You now have the time that shipper/receiver wants so it's up to that company of yours to get their ducks in a row or that broker they used to get his marching to the same drummer! That call on the cell can and will save you some grief so use it and deduct it!

Yes, I know I sound like I kidnapped the thread and turned it into a tax forum but it's info that goes hand in hand! I hope you use it!

Once you get back in the groove of OTR it won't take you long for it to come back to you! It's almost the same as getting you day in order doing local but now you get more time to get from point A to B!

Good Luck
Rollover

 

I just plan to close the door & drive til I get there

 

There you go!! Best answer so far.

 

The idea of an erasable marker is a good one. I will try that.
Thanks

 

I don't like it. Night time, hard to see. Raining, hard to see. I used one of those little suction cup clips to hold paper. Had a little pen light to look at it at night or would click on my dome light.

 

Oh yeah, I do that paper thing now. Problem is, as I get older, eyesight is getting worse, and the small writing is getting harder to see.