So I’ve got a tight delivery and I’m not under a ton of pressure to deliver on time because they knew it was going to be close when they dispatched it, but I’m new at the company and want to fool them into thinking I know what I’m doing I’m 2 days into the trip, and 2:30 into my 10 hour break. I’m delivering to Grand Rapids, MI at 2200 on the 21st. Currently I’m in Bismarck, ND, 1,013 miles from consignee. I have 2:55 remaining on my 70, with 9:06 coming back at midnight and 8:31 the next day. So as of right now, I have 20:32 total on duty time to get it delivered by 2200. Is there some fancy clock magic I can work to make it so I’m not rolling in to my appointment late, and even better, so that I have time to get loaded off duty, then have time to drive to the nearest truck stop or parking spot?
Technically, I can make it on time, but I’m probably going to get stuck sleeping at the cons, right? Not the end of the world, it’s Gordon Food Service, and I’m pretty sure they’ll let me, but not positive. I was thinking I might be able to split tomorrow up somehow so I run a few hours, take a ten, run a few more, take a split sleeper, then show up at cons? But I ran a split last night into this morning and only totaled about 5 hours sleep so my brain can’t handle the math and I need an assist. What should I do? Fancy clock work or just run it hard and get there?
Edit: forgot to mention I’m governed at 65, but I’m pretty much going to be on flat ground the rest of the way, and I have to go through Chicago Tuesday to get there.
Can someone please tell me how I can make this delivery on time?
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by twelve25oh9, Dec 19, 2021.
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So you start rolling at 8:00 Am eastern time. Get the full 11, of the 15, if you use the whole 15 hrs. That’s 11:00 pm. Break till 9:00 am. Tuesday you’ll have 13 hrs to drive 6 hrs. You basically have 7 hrs wiggle room. You can drive 10 Monday and 7 Tuesday if needed. Whatever you want. You’ll be early, just try not to lose any time, knocking out as much distance on Monday. Any delays, or oversleeping etc. will come out of the 7 hrs wiggle room. By all means, take a nap if needed. You can afford an hr or 2-3 if needed. Once you knock out Monday, you’ll have a clear picture. Depending on how well you do, you can wait till 11:00 am or noon Tuesday, to start driving. Still be 2-3 hrs early and have enough time to deliver and leave if empty before 2:00 or 3:00 am.
Last edited: Dec 19, 2021
twelve25oh9 Thanks this. -
If your brain is fried now, how do you think it will feel on the 21st?
If you really want to 'fool' them into thinking that you know what you are doing, then plan the trip out before you accept it - with times that you are comfortable doing.
Then tell them those times, and stick with it. They can take it or leave it.
Show them that you are responsible enough to only commit to times that you can reasonably do safely.
Then you won't have to fool anyone.
They can, and will, reschedule the delivery time.ProfessionalNoticer, gentleroger, Eddiec and 2 others Thank this. -
You have 1013 left. Split it in ½. That's roughly 506 miles. You drive all night tonight, and all night tomorrow night. By the morning of the 21st, you'll be in Grand Rapids, but don't drive more than 506 each time. That way, you'll have a fresh clock when you deliver and you'll have time on your 70 to get somewhere. You don't always have to run your entire 11. Sometimes on longhauls, you have to break it up, especially if running recaps. My theory is based on you having a fresh clock.
Flat Earth Trucker, twelve25oh9, Bean Jr. and 1 other person Thank this. -
Not sure about parking at Gordon’s. Looks like maybe an overflow lot next door. Only 7 or so spots at the gate. I suggest going to 76th Street Truckstop. Only 4 miles away. Excellent Breakfast. Good safe friendly place.
MOBee and Pamela1990 Thank this. -
Don't forget that Grand Rapids is eastern time. So if you're figuring based on where you are now, you've lost an hour a wiggle room.
RedForeman, ProfessionalNoticer, MOBee and 3 others Thank this. -
That makes better sense to assure plenty hrs at GR. I’d have to make it 507, and 505 at least. Lol.bryan21384 and Bean Jr. Thank this.
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Doesn’t look like you’re going to hit any snow. That’s a plus.
MOBee, Pamela1990, bryan21384 and 1 other person Thank this. -
IDK, I always run into too many unexpected variables to get really precise with my planning. I simply plan on running 500 miles a day and go from there. Although it is more normal to do between 550 to 600 miles a day and still have about 1.5 hours on my 11. I drive a governed truck which does put a limit on the miles I can get in a day. And, after around 9.5 hours of driving, I'm ready to call it a day anyway!
I did have a load awhile back that they figured I'd be late for. I actually made it on time. I limited my 10 hours to 10 hours and my 30 minute breaks to 30 minutes. Nature breaks were held to a minimum on both frequency and length of time. In the end, like I said, I made the appointment on time. But, wasn't sure I would do it until I got fairly close. I just ran as consistent as I legally could.
My normal routine is that I take my 30 after I've done around 250 miles. While taking it, I figure how far I think I'll get that day and start lining up potential parking. Sometimes I'll reserve a spot. Or, I figure around 3 places to stop and hit each one until I find a spot. So far, always been able to get parked at one of the 3 places I planned for.
All that said be safe first and foremost. Listen to your gut, that little voice inside. When it says, pull over and rest, do it. Don't macho super trucker yourself. Always better to get there late and safe than not at all. Being a safe driver needs to always come first. That also means, when it's time to rest, rest. Don't putz on your phone for several hours and not get enough sleep as a result. Other jobs most of us can do just fine with only half a night's sleep. We may show up to work and only give 50% and for a day here and there that's fine. However, being a driver ain't like that. Pretty much need to be 100% every day. So, takes more personal discipline and responsibility than a "normal" job.
Sorry, didn't mean to digress. Simply do what you reasonably can do and see if you make it to the original appointment. Hard to say if you'll make it or not when you habe a tight schedule until you're close enough.Moosetek13 and newnew Thank this. -
Not even that tight really. Roll on your ten and try for mauston wi the first day. With black river falls as an alternate if you get held up. If you make mauston you only have 400 ish miles to drive the second day. Easy peasy with time to spare to get to the truck stop when done.
Yes you can run 620 odd miles in your governed truck. I’ve done 680 in perfect conditions and regularly ran 620 to 640 in a 64 mph truck as long as you don’t get held up in the twin cities or stop too often you should be golden.
P.s. Rest areas are your friend. If you need to squirt or break for your thirty your better off stopping at them than a truck stop if you're trying to make miles. Much quicker to get in and out of than pulling into the truck stop. Going to a truck stop will kill 15 minutes of drive time pretty easy by the time you deal with a couple of lights a bit of surface streets and park and then go through it all again to get back on the road. A rest stop will cost you maybe five minute's off your drive line.Last edited: Dec 20, 2021
RedForeman, kylefitzy and Bean Jr. Thank this.
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