Your average length of haul as OTR driver

My average haul is about 150 miles one way empty. Usually 1 to 3 times a day luckily I get paid by the hour.

 

I am an affiliate company driver for QC. Most of the regional runs from my terminal are around the 500-600 mile range one-way and the system runs (OTR) are anywhere from 800-2600 miles one-way. I’m a system driver and just had a 2500 mile load & then a 2400 mile reload after that. I usually average 3200-3500 miles a week, sometimes a little more but I like to run hard. I get paid 28% of the total linehaul rate plus $38/hr detention, $150 layover, medical/dental/vision, 3 weeks vacation at $200 per day, holidays at $200/day, $100 extra for a Saturday/Sunday/Holiday delivery, $1500 retention bonus every year, and a 75 mph truck w/manual trans that I went to the dealership and picked up brand new and have been the only one in it ever since. 95% of our trailers are 2012 or newer.

Tanker work is a lot different than dry van or flatbed though. There’s a lot more deadhead miles and nowhere near the amount of available re-loads or backhauls. Every region of the country has a different market with different customers & needs. Also, if you pay attention, it seems like most places that have outgoing bulk liquid loads are close by an interstate, train rail, & a river or ocean. There’s plenty of good tanker companies to work for and every single terminal is different so just do some research and talk to other drivers. The best piece of advice I could give if you want to run hard and make a good living is to not complain about everything or start getting picky with loads, customers, or region and be professional & punctual. Dispatchers control your income & will put you on the bottom of the #### list real quick!