OTR Weekly Expenses

Showers you typically get free when you buy 50 gallons of fuel or more, so every time you fill up, or about every other day. Otherwise, they are usually around $10-$15. Food price is completely on you, i go by the grocery store and get what i need for the week to keep costs low. Most everything you can kinda pick up as you go and see what you need.

 

I'll 2nd the grocery store, TruckerPath helps to find walmarts to stop by throughout the week. I've also used Uber before from t/s to the grocery store. The 10$ it cost each way was saved in less than 24 hrs.
I normally only had to pay cash for 1 shower a week, the rest were normally free from fuel credits. Depending on the area you will be running plan on occasionally having to pay to park as well, +5$ for a load or two of laundry per week.

 

The fact that you are even asking how to scrimp and budget means you will do better than 1/2 of others. Groceries, a fridge, microwave and Tupperware has saved me a lot of money. Showers are free with fuel. Walmart has best prices for virtually everything. Laundry can be done on hometime or at the terminal. You can really get by on very little money.

 

I average about $15 a week in road expenses. But, I get home every week to do laundry and prep food. We buy all our sodas at the grocery store and get free refills when we can at Loves with diamond status.

We run 5-7 days and off 34-48hours... Until we get burnout and we land home on a Friday night. Then we stay off until Monday night.

Just chatted with a buddy. He runs different, he's out a month or two then is home for a week.

 

I'm not sure what you can get by with at Roehl as far as fridge and microwave possibilities. They will need to supply or allow larger 1500+ watt inverters if microwaves and/or small AC fridges are to be an option. Maybe they provide fridges, maybe they don't.

So this will determine if microwave and refrigerator is possible, otherwise you might be limited to just a 12vdc cooler which limits your food options, and not being able to run a microwave will also limit your dining options.

If you can only run a "cooler" and if you're okay with eating at fast food options 3-4 times a week, I'd say you can get by with budgeting about $100 per week to eat reasonably between carefully selected grocery purchases and fast-food options. I personally don't find "grocery store" eating to be all that "cheap". You will often throw away a lot that did not get eaten in time or got too warm and spoiled. Try and focus on non-perishable options and basic items like milk and cheeses and lunch-meats. I'm one who will recommend you save the more "advanced" grocery shopping options for later once you've determined what your capabilities and true dining desires and needs are.

There are inexpensive 12vdc "slow cookers" that many swear by as long as you plan ahead and let the cooker work while you drive.

 

Thanks. I keep working a budget and meal plan too. The OTR costs are a top complaint from drivers and something my friends and family warned me about. Instant oatmeal, bananas, and microwaveable baked potatoes are a staple food as I am planning for food.

 

I never had much waste from the grocery store. I normally would only buy what I planned to consume over the next few days. Essentially 1-2 bananas, 1-2 apples, 1/2 lb of grapes, uncle ben's microwave rice pouches, bread, meat, cheese, triscuits, and some little juice boxes for when I was craving something sweet. I also kept a small stock of the non-perishable meals like chicken and dumplings and beef stew in case I ended up trapped by a storm for a few days.
And I would occasionally stock up on avocados when they were cheap. They take a few days to ripen anyway, and are delicious with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

 

If you don't care and you have no shame (like me). You can buy canned foods that are ok tasting to eat with no fridge and no microwave. Example: fruit ####tail, pork and beans, baked beans, sardines, tuna (with salt and lemon pepper yum), various chef boy ardee products, etc. all come in pop-top cans. So pop the top, dig in with a plastic spoon, and eat something not bad that was 99 cents plus no clean up or dishes! Walmart is your friend. Quick truck stop food like country pride and iron skillet will co$t you.

 

LMAO... in other words.. you will be a slave for a year.. Just enjoy the peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches... Ramen Noodle soup...