A little help please! I have the itch to go OTR from local.

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by TexasTea76, Jul 16, 2025.

  1. TexasTea76

    TexasTea76 Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2025
    Messages:
    2
    Thanks Received:
    4
    0
    So I will try not to ramble to much and hopefully make sense. I currently work for a food service delivery company. I don't want to name them but its a YUM owned company. The job has been getting crappier and crappier for the 2 years I've been there with no hope in sight. I won't get into the dirty details but its come to the point where I'm feeling a itch to go back OTR.
    Looking at company options I'm a little overwhelmed. I see a lot of K&B recruiting which is a red flag and after looking at the reviews here I'm thinking they are a no. I have driven for J B Hunt and Stevens transport. Lots of reefer experience and was always eager to go into New York City, and anywhere else in the north east. Sadly I'm not that hungry for excitement anymore and would prefer something in the central US region.
    I'm not lazy and can run 3000+ miles a week but running on endless recaps are a no go. This is a longer read than I intended, sorry, I expect a lot of drivers come here looking to be pointed to that golden company with no cameras or governors and .90 cents a mile paradise. I'm not stupid I realize you take the bad with the good and find the good you really like and the bad thats minimal. Honestly some feedback would be helpful about my options. I have money and transportation, so getting to a terminal anywhere in the US is not a problem.
     
    201 Thanks this.
  2. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2011
    Messages:
    75,085
    Thanks Received:
    171,226
    Location:
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
  3. Speed_Drums

    Speed_Drums Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2014
    Messages:
    1,022
    Thanks Received:
    1,983
    0
  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2011
    Messages:
    75,085
    Thanks Received:
    171,226
    Location:
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Home | MC Van Kampen Trucking | Grand Rapids, MI
    MC Van Kampen Trucking has been a family owned and operated business for over 40 years; proving itself a leader in transporting furniture as well as fresh and frozen foods.
    I think the trucks are governed @75mph.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2025
    TexasTea76 and silverspur Thank this.
  5. lual

    lual Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2020
    Messages:
    4,751
    Thanks Received:
    8,508
    Location:
    SW Georgia
    0
    For mostly midwestern freight -- visit the websites of the following carriers:
    • Fremont Contract Carriers
    • Transland
    • American Central Transport
    Fremont has a thread here on the Forum -- so you can ask other (current) drivers about it:

    FCC--Fremont Contract Carriers

    -- L
     
    silverspur and TexasTea76 Thank this.
  6. Lonwolv54

    Lonwolv54 Light Load Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2024
    Messages:
    193
    Thanks Received:
    526
    0
    Definitely check out JRayl, they've got a terminal here in DFW, home weekly to do your reset. Most OTR companies run recaps especially in reefer. JRayl will give you the weekend reset.

    Helwig out of Terrel, TX is another option since you like northeast/East Coast, THEY RUN RECAPS, old school trucking with a good 1100 mile.avaerage length of haul.

    Both are worth a further look, All The Best
     
  7. Knightcrawler

    Knightcrawler Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2017
    Messages:
    1,641
    Thanks Received:
    5,912
    Location:
    Mpls, Mn oops Ocala, Fl.
    0
    Look into the LTL market. If you run the open board you get to bounce around the country for a week and go home. Above average pay, regular home time, decent bennies, retirement. Estes, old Dominion, R&L, Dayton, ABF, lots of them...
     
  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2011
    Messages:
    75,085
    Thanks Received:
    171,226
    Location:
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Good ones and can make $100G+
     
  9. Eddiec

    Eddiec Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2015
    Messages:
    2,248
    Thanks Received:
    3,453
    0
  10. keebler13579

    keebler13579 Heavy Load Member

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2012
    Messages:
    951
    Thanks Received:
    1,872
    0
    Give Tyson Foods a call they will let you take a 34 when needed and you can run into the NE
     
    TexasTea76 Thanks this.