Is it possible for a new long haul driver to get full sleep everyday?

I pull tankers and I start every day by 5 and I'm done by 7.

 

I think every person is different on this. Since I run regional, I'm home most every night, but still my schedule can change and my sleep is way off. Also, once you get used to sleeping in the truck, you'll figure out what your best amount of sleep is. I know guys who can get a solid 8 every night in the truck, and those like me who can survive on 5 to 7. Something I have found on those occasions when I have to stay in the truck, and know it will be a problem, as soon as I park, I pop a Benadryl. Within an hour I'm drowsy, and will sleep a solid 7 hours, otherwise I might toss and turn and only get 5 hrs. When I first started driving, I did a 3on/2off schedule for a McD's distributor. I would do a 3 day run, that the first night I was never tired, it was only 7 hrs of driving, followed by 8 off (the old HOS), plus I had a reefer running. Never got used to the reefer, and would only sleep maybe 4 or 5 hours. But, that second night, after 9 hrs of driving and unloading at 4 customers, I was exhausted and would have no problem sleeping 7 hours.

 

Completely random. Like arrive in an area the night before then deliver in the morning. Then get a load that picks up in the evening and have to drive all night to deliver the next morning. Welcome to OTR where the only thing consistant is inconsistency.