Important Things You Need to Know about Short-Haul Trucking

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Transport drivers are classified according to the vehicle they operate and the distance they travel. Specialized freight transport drivers operate specialized vehicles, such as cement trucks, dump trucks, refrigerated vans, tow trucks, bulk tankers, and auto transport trucks. According to America Truck Driving School, long-haul drivers are those who run on routes beyond a 250-mile radius from the truck’s terminal or headquarters, while short-haul drivers are those who run within a 150 to 200-mile radius of the driver’s business hub. Short-haul trucking is categorized into two types, so if you’re exploring a trucking career, it’s important to understand these distinctions.

Local Trucking: If you are the type of driver who takes pleasure from serving the community by delivering products and essentials within your neighborhoods, then a local trucking job is for you. While the distance traveled by local truckers when moving products from one destination to another is significantly shorter, they often operate on city roads, and this is more taxing than highway driving.  

Regional Trucking: Regional truckers are similar to long-haul truckers in that their jobs often require them to travel several days from one state to another. Many regional truckers operate big rigs with cabins where they can comfortably sleep while on long trips. Some trucking companies provide lodging allowance so their drivers can stay at a decent hotel overnight. The reason they are considered short-haul truckers, however, is their predictable schedule and regular routes, which enable them to establish strong relationships with their clients.

Short-haul trucking provides drivers with an ideal combination of job stability and the autonomy of the open road. It is a fulfilling career for those who value seclusion, time spent with family, and long-distance travel. However, like any other profession, short-haul trucking has its share of benefits and challenges.

The Perks of Short-Haul Driving

If you are considering a career in the trucking industry as a short-haul driver, it is essential to understand its pros and cons before making a significant decision. Like any other life decision, this one may not be permanent. You are free to try one and see if it is a good fit for you.

• Work and life balance

Under normal circumstances, short-haul drivers typically go home after each shift, allowing them to spend more time with their families. Regional truckers might be away from home for several nights, but since you have a fixed schedule, you can see your family more often than the long-haul truckers do. Additionally, since you have more time at home or for leisure, you can establish a healthy work-life balance, which helps keep your stress levels to a minimum and prevents burnout. If you want to see your loved ones often, a short-haul trucking career might be the right option for you.

• Route familiarity 

Since short-haul drivers pass on the same roads and highways on a routine basis, they can become local road experts. These truckers know where speed traps are located, which routes are the quickest to traverse, which roads have low traffic, and which intersections have less complicated turns. Highway familiarity makes driving safer and less stressful. Truckers also benefit from maintaining physical fitness on the road to stay alert and energized during frequent local trips.

• ELD immunity

As mandated by Hours-of-Service laws, drivers of commercial vehicles are required to log their hours of service (HOS) using an electronic logging device (ELD). The HOS laws regulate the breaks and rest time taken by drivers to try to reduce the number of drivers falling asleep while driving. This can be restrictive to long-haul drivers, especially when they are in a hurry to complete a delivery. The HOS rules do not apply to short-haul truckers or those driving within a 100- to 150-mile range. It is also not required on short and quick trips, saving truckers money and time. It also gives truck drivers the freedom to choose their own routes.

• Job Availability

You will never run out of short-haul driving jobs, particularly in urban areas, as most trucking giants utilize a cost-effective system of establishing strategic depots and assigning drivers within a specific radius. Because this model involves a high volume of drop-and-hooks and frequent dock maneuvers throughout the day, having the right essential tools and gear ensures that drivers can handle multiple deliveries and equipment transitions efficiently and safely.

The Challenges of Short-Haul Driving

Every career has its cons, and short-haul trucking is no exception. Among the difficulties short-haul drivers need to face are:

• Blind-siding

This process of backing up the big rig’s trailer makes the job of short-haul truckers even more challenging. Since they need to fulfill multiple deliveries in a day, these drivers must maneuver their trucks into the loading docks carefully numerous times. This setback can be minimized by efficient routing or careful route planning. Avoiding rookie mistakes is also key to smoother short-haul runs.

• More traffic

Since they frequently travel city streets, short-haul drivers often encounter heavy traffic and road construction. Road works often require rerouting to ensure the timely delivery of supplies. To overcome this challenge, dispatchers should ensure that drivers have access to the latest and most efficient routes possible. This can be achieved with the help of advanced GPS fleet tracking.

• Demanding delivery schedules

Short-haul truckers must make frequent pickups and deliveries, so even a minor delay can have a domino effect on their entire delivery schedule for the rest of the day. Therefore, a short-haul driver needs to work closely with the dispatcher to avoid delays. Mastering specific daily routines and strategies helps drivers stay on clock and navigate tight windows without letting the stress of a busy manifest lead to mistakes.