BIG COMPANY OTR solo drivers don't get long runs - do you agree!?

I average 2200-2500 a lot, but nearly all my loads are 500-750 miles with SWIFT.
most I've gotten on a single load was 2500. LA to Greensboro. That was a one time deal.

 

Company driver with Swift. Have done a 2575 and a 2980 in the last few weeks.

 

Well my last run with Schneider was 1500 and this one is 1300. They do happen but normally it's 400-500 on average. If you're running out west I'd bump that average up to 700-800 probably, but that was when I was out there and I don't go there often.

 

No, a large portion of the longer freight that is not urgent has been moved to the rails. Most long dry freight today that is put on a truck is "urgent". Sure, there are exceptions, but today, a solo with a mega-carrier today getting a 1,200 mile run is the exception, the shorter regional hauls is where they are generally delegated to. If you want to run longer miles, solo, you need to work for a meat-hauler. Look at all the trailers on the east-west trains and your question will be answered. 20, 30 years ago, these were being driven across I-40, not so much today.

 

I'd say 1 of every 6 loads is over 1000 for me. Swift.

 

I used to scoff at loads under 800 miles. Most of my loads were between 900-1300 miles. I got on a dedicated fleet and that has dropped a bit, to 6-800 miles. In exchange I do about 60% drop and hook. Ill take the trade-off, because when you're pulling reefers 2 hours is a typical load/unload time. I also dont have fixed appointments anymore. It'll be ready at this time, get it to the delivery by this time. It really lets me squeeze in more miles and less waiting. In the end isn't that what actually matters?

 

grand island to new jersey. then bethlehem pa to salem va. then lititz pa to salt lake city. i must be one of the chosen ones....

 

Solo drivers do wind up with the shorter mile runs while the bigger mile runs go to teams. There are a couple of factors deciding this, including optimum use of equipment and customer demands (everybody wants their crap delivered yesterday).

That said, solos can still see good mileage on a weekly basis if the driver is capable of managing his time and trip planning properly and the company can keep the solo truck busy with stacked loads.