Single driver trip planning questions... or exercise.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Pmracing, May 23, 2011.

  1. Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    Hello, It seems it is much more work to trip plan for a single driver, compared to when I had the trainer. We hardly ever stopped...

    I am in Minneapolis, Mn. My 10 hour break will be done at 20:30.

    I have approx 328 miles to Cedar Grove, WI. for a P/U 5/24/11 # 13:00. It is not preloaded so hopefully only one hour at the shipper.

    The delivery is 415 miles in Hebron, KY 5/26/11 @2:30. (I hope that is not too much info, please don't steal my load.. hehehehe)

    I prefer to get all my driving done first, leaving all free time for possible problems along the way. Like marker lights out, the need to stop for a milkshake....

    If I leave at 20:30 on the 24th, and assume about 8 hours, comfortably ~ fuel stop, maybe a bathroom break to straighten out my knees, that would be 4:30 on the 24th. Then if I can wait at the shipper, about 2 hours after loading to complete another 10 hour break?

    That would leave a full day available to go the 415 miles starting at 14:30 on the 24th. Assuming a leisurely 11 hour trip to do 415 miles, that would put me at the very early morning looking for a spot in a TS. YUCK!

    So now that I have typed this out, I think it would be better to originally leave later, early morning on the 24th. That would leave me some hours after loading to get to a "nice" TS in the middle of the afternoon, maybe 15:00 on the 24th. Get an easy parking spot and sit another 10 before heading out for the delivery.

    The break would be over at 1:00 on the 25th, leaving the whole day to get 415 miles before 2:30 on the 26th.

    Is there anything I am overlooking. I would start driving again at 1:00 and get to the delivery asap in case they can take it early. So I have more options to get another load, more time for the trip planners to get me in the cue.

    thanks for the review,

    Mikeeee
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2011
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  3. Coonass

    Coonass "Freshy Fresh"

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    Yeah, it shouldnt take you 8 hours to do 328 miles. That should be easily done in 5 hours driving, tops.

    Figuring all your other miles you should get to the TS early enough, if you can keep up at this rate.
     
  4. Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    I should mention it is a company truck limited to 61 mph, 62 with a tailwind...

    so that is 5.4 hours minimum if I could average 61.

    Mikeeeee
     
  5. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    11 hours to do 415 miles?

    You have to be kidding!

    Even if you only average 50 mph...that would work out to 8 hours and a couple minutes!

    415 miles at 55 = 7.5 hours
    415 miles at 60 = 7.0 hours

    Now check and see where the closest truck stop is to your destination....Cedar Rapids...probably fairly close....so get to the T/S and park it till 1 hour before your appointment....or call the receiver first thing in the morning to check on early delivery....then get there and deliver!
     
  6. Coonass

    Coonass "Freshy Fresh"

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    I just dont know how some of you guys can drive such slow trucks.:biggrin_2554::biggrin_25518:

    I would go crazy in no time. Im not knocking yall, everyone needs a job so.
     
  7. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    Wake my arse up at the border...I like to wave at the scale guy/gal!:yes2557:
     
  8. Laner99

    Laner99 Light Load Member

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    The 328 miles.....if I may interject here, it takes me 5 hrs to drive exactly 250 miles to my parents house in PA at 60 mph and one pee break. Soooooo, if you're truck is speed controlled.......I'm just saying.
     
  9. Sequoia

    Sequoia Road Train Member

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    What are you forgetting? To allow 15 minutes for your pre-trip and post-trip. I didn't see those factored in.
     
  10. Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    Ya, it sucks... I passed a truck last night. "A" truck... I was at 62, he was at about 61.5.

    Correct, I did not include all the details.

    Mikeeee
     
  11. Sequoia

    Sequoia Road Train Member

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    Just sayin'. Depends if you do it a the start/end of your driving shifts, or the start/end of each actual day. Could change your start time to 2045 and push your end time out, making your next 10 hour break start, in essence, 30 minutes later than your current plan.

    It's the little things that can bite you in the butt if you're not on top of it.
    Oh and are you factoring in any time zone changes? (if they apply)
     
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