How do you get miles in the winter?

Depending on the road conditions, I can lose 300-500 miles a day. Even having to wait a day or two,I can still do over 2,500 miles. I also have paper logs so I can out run winter storms. Last winter there was a 24 hour heads up that all of Wyoming was going to be closed. I was able to keep running until I was able to clear the winter storm advisery area. I won't be able to do it this winter.

You also can't be afraid to use chains. If you're waiting for 'No Restrictions',your going to be parked a lot longer.

While waiting for the pass to open,I'm chaining up. As soon as it opens, I let the Super Trucker Sweep Team go out. An hour later,if they haven't closed the pass again, I'll head out.

 

Run early, stop early.
Stop after you pass the cities, not before.
Use state highways.
Oreos & milk.
Forecast apps.
Call 511.

 

But one critical thing to note - it helps a lot to know how to drive on various types of icy roads (and there are many) and this only comes from lots of hands on experience. Don't push yourself in the early years but don't be afraid to get out there in it, being careful and learning every mile.

 

Just remember the Donner party. Take a family member with you encase you need something to eat.

 

Google Maps with Traffic layer turned on will generally give you a good idea just how bad the roads are, but in wee overnight hours in rural areas, when traffic is light, it will often not have any data to display. Or it could be an indication things are so bad, everybody is parked.

 

Work for FedEx
Their trucks only have 2 speeds
Maximum against governor, usually 65 to 75 mph, and 'ditch'. Just keep it on the road and you will do fine, probably even get promoted

 

How do you get miles in the winter?

One mile at a time, just like everyone else...

 

I absolutely agree that Google Maps with the traffic layer turned on is very helpful, not only for winter but also in any high traffic area. It can help find detours around traffic delays, but it WON'T warn you of low clearances, weight restrictions, etc. Be careful taking detours.

In addition to Google Maps my go to app is MyRadar. Turn on the wind layer and the warnings layer. This gives up to the minute precipitation, shows wind direction and speeds, and displays warnings as colored blocks: winter storm warnings, tornado warnings, flood warnings, etc.

My phone is on a magnetic mount on the dash. I can quickly access information without holding it.

Another very helpful app is Trucker's Path. You have information on parking availability at rest areas and truck stops. Very helpful for end of the day trip planning.

 

Google isn't that good. I've seen them say that a road is open when I'm looking at the locked gate across it.

I was in Reno waiting for Donner Pass to open. Someone said that Google said the pass was open. Trucks started to leave. I checked the CalTrans app. Donner was open,FOR CARS. They still weren't allowing trucks yet. The same trucks that left eventually came back. It took almost three days to open Donner to trucks.