Do you run you're whole clock or shut down before night?

If I have flexibility to run my preferred schedule, and not pushing toward a tight appointment across the country, I'll generally run (drive) 10-10.5 hours, and break for 10 or until I can roll around 04:00 CT.

But i often run every minute of an 11 if I'm in a region I'm sure I won't have any issues, and have an earlier option if something does go wrong. At about 9-10 hours I'll look at my distance to go and available time and determine if I can make it to plan A or revert to plan B.

We usually have a slower day or two at some point in the week due to appointment waits, so we're going to get some off time at some point, anyway.

But usually, I'm running however I have to run to make the appointment on the other end. If there's time to get there early enough to get a restart in a "comfortable spot", then I'll push through hard and get it done. I've done 4 days straight in excess of 10:50 drive time, at all times of the year, and always parked in a truck stop by 17:00. It's not a problem. Having been out here for a long time, you learn what you can and can't get away with in a given region.

But how you manage your time is ALWAYS dependent on where you're working and the type of hauls you typically do and expect. What works for one driver at one carrier probably won't work for another driver at another carrier.

 

It really depends every load is different.
I do like running my 11 almost out and taking a 12-14 hour break.


But too many factors really.
What time will you shut down after driving 10:55h.
Is there going to be parking available.(Location and timing)

 

With elogs maximizing my 14 hours everyday is what works for me.

 

That's the right answer, and the reason I don't like to communicate with messages that don't communicate much info.

If they are doing to bounce you to somewhere where you can load and park for the night at the dock or on the street in front of it, I'd want to move. If they are going to bounce you a distance away, I'd want to be moving in the right direction. If they want you to load back up in Denver, at a place where they will take 2 hours to load and expect you to leave with no time left on your clock, it's not happening.

 

You need a friend or mentor or just an experienced hustler who knows how to work the clock. The goal is to make money right? It has taken me a while to manipulate my time used, hustle, bend corners, sleep at shippers, combine on-duty tasks, etc. so that I'm getting more loads than others. I have a friend in my company who has been here 8 years and always helps me figure out how I can get a load in on time. Get empty and get a head start on my next load.

 

In the company is good. Different companies work differently, different dispatchers work differently. You need to learn to work with your company and dispatch system to maximize your miles.

Some people don't care to maximize their miles, and if that's you, then it is what it is.

I will say this to the OP, you posted this at what, 5 local time? And you put your PTA at 7 or 8? That's 14 hours off, and a late start to the day. I'd put the PTA at 3 in the morning if you don't want to keep moving right now, that way you can get the early morning loads rather than waiting until traffic is getting bad to get started on your way over to shippers who are already getting behind on loading other trucks.

 

I always offer them an option..."will only have xx hours on my 11 and xx on my 14 once I am empty, so unless my next pickup is close and fast, set my pta for morning"

 

You are lucky to find a space to park in Denver on any day, or at any time of day.
I usually reserve a spot at the TA in Commerce when I am headed there, just to be sure.

If I had 3 hours left to work with, and if the load was pre-loaded, I would take it and then go back to my reserved spot. A live load? No way.

But to set my PTA for 'now' without knowing any more details, no.

And I would not be planning to drive out of Denver with so little time on the clock.
I do NOT park on ramps or the side of a road for any reason. And that would be the only option out of Denver in any direction with so little time. Everything near enough at that time of day is taken.
Reserved parking can be your friend at times.