What is considered OTR miles?

I am not sure there is a definitive answer. Probably up to the subjectivity of a potential employer.

 

the schools will tell you go OTR
simply because it is easier to find work
staying on the road for weeks at a time
more often then not local home daily runs
and dedicated most drivers have more experience
not always the case but most of the time
people come off OTR to be home more and be with family

 

OTR is when you work for a carrier that runs irregular routes, and sleep in the truck 3 or more days per week.

 

from what I've seen, different carriers have different definitions. Some may define it as a certain number of miles in a time period, some may define it as a certain number of states traveled. OTR companies seem to prefer interstate experience, probably to make sure you're familiar with the minor nuances of different states... ie, some states have flashing lights to tell you the scales are open, some are bass ackwards ,, AR and AZ require that hazmat must go thru scales regardless of whether you get a green on prepass.

 

Some companies say at least 5 states, some say at least 7 states traveled to be considered OTR experience.

To me OTR is long hauls and staying out 4-7 weeks. The rest is for the softies!

 

To me, OTR is regularly operating in 10 or more states (and perhaps subject to run any/all 48) But like was mentioned the definition is according to the context and the person making the definition. Lately, there are the following IMO...
Regional (4 to 9 states depending on region) (very common now)
Short Regional (less then 500 mile radius) (operating Houston to Dallas, Laredo, Abilene, etc)
OTR (10+ states/all states)
Local (within 200 mile radius)
Dedicated (depends)

 

probably depend on the region, too, wouldn't it?

on the west. it takes a day to go from one state to another. somewhat. where as on the northeast. you can drive 5 states and back and still be home for supper.

150 miles on the west couldn't even get you out of state.
150 miles on the east. can get you 3 states or better.

 

to me! over the road ment just this. it's a driver that runs the longest mile loads on cross country routes. trucking companies idea of over the road. is sending the driver from home to there short haul area's where drivers can spend months at a time working for wages that are often equal to a normal factory workers wages.

And no you don't have to start out in over the road. depending on where you live. you can get a regional job or local job that pays better. and provides a better life style. it's just simple knowing which companies to apply to and which ones to stay away from. new drivers now are getting local jobs out of school. that's because they are cheaper to employ.

major trucking companies will tell you anything to get you to oreintation. and then tell you. that all they have is over the road work. so a good rule to remember. if it sounds too good to be true. then it is. and only having to show oreintation on an application is better then working the job and then quiting. oreintation is a week long job interview. at anytime you can leave oreintation and you don't have to give them a reason. because you can get to the end of oreintation and still not get the job. and they won't tell you the reason why either. if they say anything. it will be a lie of some kind.

 

I'm in somewhere USA, I'm going to somewhere else USA. That's OTR.