65mph vs 70mph

That would depend on speed limits, traffic considerations, etc.

Plus look at the real world, where you don't get to drive exactly 11 hours a day or 70 hours a week.

 

Would have to 2nd what @ChaoSS said. For me personally the 65 vs 70 only really shows in 3 areas.

1. Passing.... way easier to get out, around and then back in and coast back down a few mph.

2. Hills are much easier to climb when you are coming at them from the bottom in a 70 mph truck, that extra head of steam can go a long way, but probably 75% of the time it's not an issue because I can't do 70 going into the grade, for whatever reason.

3. IF you do a lot of overnight driving where there is little traffic on 70 mph roads then you can see a difference in ground covered at the end of the shift.

Mostly it's just nice to be able to have a 70 mph truck, but geneally not moving at 70.

 

You're omitting one critical variable. How many miles will each company realistically have available, on average. But if you want to simply assume 11 hours/day, either carrier. The math is very simple to do.

But what about other variables such as benefits, insurance costs, accessorial pay, bonus pay, paid holidays, pay-scale escalation with longevity, other perks offered.

 

Take two trucks. 1 is set at 64 and the other is set at 72.
Both leave Jacksonville Florida to LA.
Both will probably arrive at the same time. But,,, the 72 mph driver is in better shape, he canafford to take a nap when tired,doesn't have to use the steering wheel for a dinner table and is less frustrated.

 

But if these are owner-ops, the driver in the 64 MPH truck will be able to afford the steak dinner at the end of the day. Where the 72 MPH truck owner will be eating tuna out of a can to offset the additional fuel burned.

 

But at some point in your trucking careers you need to stop running 11/10's in 7 days for a paycheck. If you're all gunning 70-75mph 11/10's for the same $1400-$1500 us local guys get than you gotta find a different gig.

 

Why does this seem like the word math problem I did in school about the trains leaving the station at the same time?

 

I think you're getting too technical. Which company will get you empty and loaded faster. Is it drop and hook? Hard to figure which is better without knowing all the facts

 

yes very very good point if a driver was in Ca, Or and IL 55 mph is all they'll do so there's no gain, he'd only be in front marginally if running in the faster states in 10 hours your only 50 miles ahead with a 5 mph difference 50 x .02 is only $1