How often do you stop?

I usually stop every 150 miles or so.
A couple short 5-15 minute breaks and a 1/2-1 hour meal break, for a 600 mile day.

I am not only paid to drive miles, I am paid to drive them safely.
After 2 or 2.5 hours, I am very ready to get out to stretch and let the world stop going by.

I also hate taking a 10.
I like at least 12.
It takes me a while to relax enough to sleep, and I need a couple hours before I drive to be alert enough.

This truck is my home, and my 'home' is just a visit. As such, I like to relax and watch some video's or have time to do laundry and shower or do shopping between shifts.

I am not out here to kill myself by trying to get the most miles per day in the least amount of time for the almighty buck.

I am out here because I like to drive, and this job lets me do that.

Sure, if I really pushed myself I could probably do another few hundred miles per week.
But I wonder what it would really gain me aside from less sleep, more stress, more 34's, less satisfaction from life in general, and a few more $$$ every week.
Not to mention the very real possibility of causing an accident.

And a few more $$$ never really appealed to me when all else is taken into consideration.

 

since I have gotten older it seems like I have to stop every five hundred miles to Pee (this was a quote from an old car hauler I ran thru oregon with one night a few years back . He was in his late seventies then)

 

As little as possible! Other than to check chains and straps on the load, I prefer to keep that left door closed. Get up early, do what needs doing, and get it done with. OTR driving for me was monotonous and boring. I prefer being a sitework driver, where I'd go from site to site, get to run equipment, etc. So, when I was running OTR, even pulling flats and steps, there'd still be days when I'd have nothing to do but drive, and, honestly, I wanted to not spend any more time doing that than I had to. So, other than the strap checks, I tried to make sure I had everything I needed for the day the night prior to getting out on the road.

 

Normal days I would drive for 4 to 6 hours. Then I would stop at a pilot for a shower and lunch which usually took an hour or less because I would choose them based on how busy they where mid day. Then drive the remainder. If I stopped any other time it would be for a bathroom break.

 

all depends on how hot the load is where i wanna end my day etc
yesterday i got out just to fuel heading towards boston i wanted to spend my 10 east of saint louis
today i have more time taking a lil break now just wasting time on here

 

If you jump out to take a piss on the shoulder of a ramp, it takes less than 5 minutes. What's wrong with this? Other than maybe you're not supposed to park on a ramp. And I guess it will ding your MPG a little have to get the rig going again.

I usually don't have any hour long breaks but may have like two twenty minute breaks, and then a couple of other 5-10 minute breaks. And that would be on a full 10-11 hour driving day.

 

When i feel like i need to stop. Don't let anyone tell you when you can or can't stop.

 

the other night I went 8 hours straight. Bout killed my bladder....OMG.....WHY....

Normal day is 2-4 hours for me depending on the bodies needs.

 

I haul gravel for the most part so the only stopping I do is while I am being loaded or dumping. Usually just drain the bladder quick while getting loaded once a day. So I go about 6 hours or so then finish out the rest of my day.

 

I make good money & know how to manage my time without killing myself or stressing my bladder. Though if it works for others, who am I to say otherwise? I personally do though, shoot for a minimum of 200 miles...got that number because I've hauled a lot of high valued loads...so every 3-4 hours I stop and get a quick break in by either using a bathroom, walking, or eating something.