been driving for 19 months and I have some questions :)

Don’t just look at take home pay. You are getting a steal on insurance. I make around 1200/week, but pay 400 every 2 weeks for my benefits. So do the math

 

Maybe you should stay.
Maybe you should go.
Maybe I do not know.

 

Yeah But... K&B...

 

You must be in the palm of God's hand working in that Paradise when all things are going your way. Keep it rolling. Problems begin when you get antsy and think the grass is greener on the other side of yonder fence. You do not understand how well you have it in terms of the Country you run it Compared to say the messy old east coast.

That pay is pretty small. They have been paying 0.38 for 30 years, it's time to get into the .50's already. If you were to go anywhere else it will be for that reason.

 

I live in the PNW and am familiar with the pay rates in the area. I have more experience than you do and I too have a perfect driving record. If you are grossing $1,200 per week running the 5, that is a little low, but not unusual. Everything is a trade off. The major carriers all know what the current pay rate is for drivers in this area.
You have to consider what is important to you. Everything is a trade off. I too graduated from the same school only I did it about 3.5 years ago. I made a move last year to another company. I was driving a brand new T680 and pulling a brand new trailer. I was getting all the miles I could run and making very good money. Two weeks ago when I got back in the home area, I got a call. "Come to the yard, clean out your truck, we are out of business and locking the doors". No notice and was not expected.
So, I too am looking at options.
Here are a few things I have found: Unless you are willing to work 1099, the pay is generally very similar across most companies in the area....experience level being considered. The companies out of the Midwest tend to pay more, if you can deal with that. I am seriously considering going to a Midwestern company and paying for a parking space locally in my area for home time. Parking space will cost me about $100 per month.
I have figured that for an OTR driver...who is actually running and getting the miles....every cent increase per mile is worth around $1,000 per year. So, even though I am a bit reluctant to work for a company so far from my home, the difference in pay is significant...all other things being considered. I would much rather earn 80K per year than 50K.

Anyway, that's just my opinion and I wish you luck. Keep that driving record clean.

 

I have never once had a problem on the 210. What’s the big deal? I suppose it depends on the time of the day.

 

Yes you can get more cents per mile.
You can also pay 200 a week for insurance
You can be out for a month.
You can wait 8 hours for an unload.

 

Just traffic.

 

cookies are taxed as gifts not earned income

 

Yup... Everything from Ventura, to the Mexican border is LA anymore. Solid city the whole way.
Another option is to turn at Four Corners off 385. It will come out near the top of Cajone Pass at 15. But just going into Barstow on 385 is easier.

You should consider that you're losing some money because of home time. Yup you're getting the miles. Can get more money for the miles. But... they ain't gonna get you home like you're doing now. Pretty sweet gig...