What's the reasonable average speed for trucks in North America?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by fourbugs, Jun 20, 2025.

  1. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    I find it hard to believe anyone has an actual average over 60 mph. I had a truck that ran wide open for many years and I was always in the left lane going 5 over which was usually 75mph and I only stop for fuel or the restroom once I'm rolling. Stopping just once or twice in a trip to use the restroom will drop your average down pretty quick.
     
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  3. 77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

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    Depends east coast 50mph, if everything goes like it's supposed to. If I'm heavy less than that in Pa, WV.

    Midwest to Texas 58 ish
     
  4. fourbugs

    fourbugs Bobtail Member

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    Yup. It would be pretty tough to crack 60mph for anyone without iron bladder, if average is "distance travelled" / "hours spent". But it would be much easier if average is "distance travelled" / "hours engine ran" since at least the majority of time spent for stops will not be included to denominator if they always shut down the engine during those stops.
     
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  5. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    I had no APU and when I sold my truck in April with 390k on it if you divided miles by total hours it came out to just under 46mph. I didn’t idle a lot, but I also didn’t sweat when I slept or froze when it was too cold for the bunk heater. And I rarely drove over 70mph.
     
  6. Concorde

    Concorde Road Train Member

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    Moving average, nothing to do with idling.
     
  7. Concorde

    Concorde Road Train Member

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    Anyone using a Garmin gps go into your stats and it will show you your lifetime moving average along with other details like max speed.. Don’t know about the other brands because all I’ve ever used is Garmin.
     
  8. Concorde

    Concorde Road Train Member

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    Yet my lifetime moving average is well above. Don’t know what having an iron bladder has to do with anything. I know that I can run my first leg 8 hours without stopping.

    We are talking about trucks and not mobility scooters, right?
     
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  9. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    Don’t hurt your shoulder patting yourself on the back. Lol.

    I offered my example because that’s the info I had. I didn’t have the moving hours/idle hours separated like the OP. And I’ve never had a GPS in the truck.
     
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  10. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    That's from this past Saturday. Zero percent long idle. Maybe 10% short idle at redlights, stop signs, etc. That's a true average off the ECM. GPS numbers are suspect. 47mph is a pretty typical week for me. From the time you start moving from your parking spot to the highway that eats into your average mph. Calling BS on any semi truck averaging over 55 mph consistently.
     

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  11. Concorde

    Concorde Road Train Member

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    Funny, I’m home with a f’d up shoulder, been in agony for weeks. Must be from jamming gears :)

    I need one of those trucks with the select-o-matic transmissions.
     
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