A Day in the Life of a Long-Haul Semi-Truck Driver

So, you’re considering a career as a long-haul semi-truck driver. Maybe you’re excited by the thought of seeing new parts of the country and enjoying the freedom of the open road, or simply motivated by the earning potential of long-haul trucking. It can be hard to imagine what really awaits you inside the cab of a big rig, so investing your time and money into a CDL school can be a hard commitment to make. So what can you realistically expect it to be like as a long-haul trucker?

As former truckers and current CDL school instructors, we’ll share our honest experiences and dive deep into what a typical day will look like for you as a long-haul semi-truck driver. While there are a lot of benefits to this career, we won’t shy away from telling you all about the challenges and hardships as well. Our goal at New Sound CDL School isn’t to just get as many people into our courses as possible. Our mission is to equip our industry with drivers that will excel on the road with the proper training and expectations to make them successful. So let’s jump into a day in the life of a long-haul semi-truck driver.

The Typical Day of a Long-Haul Driver

As a long-haul truck driver, you won’t be working the typical 9-to-5 job. Our days are structured around the particular demands of our delivery schedule while adhering to federal regulations. Regardless of how far you need to travel in a given day, you’re required to abide by the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations that dictate how long you can drive and when you have to rest. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), long-haul drivers are allowed up to 11 hours of drive time within a 14 hour period before requiring 10 consecutive hours off-duty. There are further regulations dictating how much you can drive over the course of a week: the 60/70 Hour Limit states that a long-haul driver cannot drive more than 60 hours in a 7 day stretch, or 70 hours in an 8 day stretch. When they reach that limit, they’re required to be off-duty for 34 consecutive hours before restarting their 7/8 day work week. These regulations will shape your work days and weeks as a driver and are meant to ensure both your safety and the safety of other civilians on the road.

As a long-haul driver, each work day will consist of the following:

1. Pre-Trip Inspection and Dispatching

Every day begins with a pre-trip inspection. This is one of the most important tasks as a driver, where you perform a thorough check of all the vital aspects of your truck and trailer to ensure a safe and efficient day on the road. You’ll inspect your tires, brakes, lights, fluid levels, and other critical systems. This isn’t an optional part of your day that you can ignore or skip depending on your mood, but a legal requirement and essential component of commercial driving. Our courses focus on teaching the pre-trip inspection with a hands-on emphasis so you can confidently pass this portion of the CDL exam and ensure your own safety day-in and day-out while on the road. This is also for your own good - finding an issue while still parked at a truck stop with a repair shop nearby is much better than it surprising you later on in the day in the middle of nowhere.

Once the inspection is complete and any issues are resolved, you can hit the road if you’ve already been dispatched with a pickup or delivery time and destination. Otherwise, you may find yourself waiting to be dispatched for your next load depending on the particular operations of your company. Some companies also require periodic status updates over the phone with your dispatcher, broker, and/or the product supplier themselves.

2. Driving and Staying Alert

Naturally, the majority of your day as a driver will be spent driving—usually for up to 11 hours. For those who love burning rubber or being on their own, that may sound like a dream come true, but it requires a lot of focus, discipline, and strict time management. You’ll be navigating unfamiliar roadways, dealing with traffic, and closely monitoring your route to ensure you meet pickup and delivery deadlines.

One of the constant challenges you’ll face is simply staying alert and avoiding fatigue. This isn’t something to scoff at, as fatigue is a serious issue in the trucking industry. In fact, it’s estimated that 13% of large truck crashes involve a fatigued driver. To safely manage this, truckers often rely on a combination of strategies that personally work for them, like taking regular breaks, staying hydrated, smartly using caffeine, or engaging with phone conversations, podcasts, or music that allows them to remain focused and awake. This can change your driving experience to honestly being a very enjoyable one. Listening to my favorite podcast with my coffee next to me and the wide open road in front - makes me miss cross-country driving sometimes!

3. Planning for Breaks and Fuel Stops

Since federal regulations require drivers to take a 30-minute break after driving for eight consecutive hours, most truckers use this time to refuel, grab a meal, use the restroom, and stretch their bodies. These breaks can sometimes require careful planning depending on your location, weather conditions, or your pickup/delivery schedule. Fuel stops need to be planned around available stations and necessary routes.

4. Loading and Unloading

The vast majority of the time, you won’t have to be involved in the loading or unloading of the goods in your trailer. However, your day will involve adhering to particular check-in and check-out procedures at various facilities, backing into loading docks, inspecting your loads for safe and proper storage, and reviewing paperwork to ensure everything matches the dispatched load.

Challenges and Benefits

Long-haul trucking is both demanding and rewarding. It requires innovation, patience, and the ability to work alone. In our experience, here are some of the biggest challenges and benefits of being a long-haul trucker:

Challenges of Long-Haul Trucking

1. Loneliness and Isolation

Many drivers find the constant solitude peaceful, but for some, loneliness can creep in. As a long-hauler, you’ll spend days, maybe even weeks, away from your family and friends. While you can stay in touch by phone call or Facetime, the long absence of in-person interaction or missing important events can take a toll on your mind. These are things that we truckers get used to, and with the right mindset, can be maneuvered around.

2. Health and Fitness

A healthy lifestyle while on the road can be tricky to maintain. Traditional truck stops offer limited access to healthy food options and you’ll be spending up to 11 hours everyday in a sedentary position. You’ll need to be very intentional and disciplined to maintain physical fitness. A lot of drivers make sure to exercise during their rest stops and even prepare and pack their own food before trips to combat the tendencies of a trucking lifestyle.

3. Traffic and Road Conditions

Traffic congestion, adverse weather, and construction zones are a daily part of life as a truck driver. Navigating these obstacles with skill while keeping to strict schedules and timelines can add stress to an already challenging career. Breakdowns and accidents can also create dangerous situations and affect strict deadlines for goods with high-importance or value.

Rewards of Long-Haul Trucking

1. Freedom and Independence

Long-haul trucking offers more freedom than most careers. Many drivers are drawn to the idea of working independently and unrestricted, unlike a traditional office job. As a long-haul trucker, you’re in charge of your own cab, and sometimes even your own schedule depending on your company’s structure. Some drivers even choose to work for long stretches of weeks at a time to allow them to take long vacations or off-duty stretches in return.

2. High-Paying Career

The income of long-haul truckers is highly competitive and directly corresponds to how much you choose to work. In fact, New Sound CDL School graduates report an average starting salary of $72,000 in their respective positions. This is just the starting point, as there’s potential to earn even more with bonuses, overtime, various endorsements, and experience as you solidify your spot with your company. There are even signing bonuses and performance incentives offered by many companies, which shows just how robust the industry is and how highly sought-after skilled long-haulers are.

3. New Experiences

A huge perk that brings joy to many drivers is the inherent opportunity to see all sorts of new places and experiences. Depending on the routes you take, long-hauling could send you through the mountains, across vast deserts, or along various coasts. As a trucker, you’ll get to see the beauty and diversity of the American landscape every single day, even trying new foods and exploring different towns and cities when off-duty.

The New Sound CDL Difference

If you’re interested in this career after hearing what it’s like to be a long-haul semi-truck driver, New Sound CDL School can help you get started on the journey. Professional training and passing your CDL exam are the first steps required for you to get on the road. At New Sound CDL, we provide comprehensive training and support that prepares you for every aspect of long-haul trucking. We're based in Fife, WA and have many trucking companies all around us in our region, providing many opportunities in looking for a new job.

Our team and program boasts years of experience, high passing rates, and countless successful career placements. A few things that set our school apart from the rest are:

1. Expert Instructors

Our instructors are former drivers with decades of experience across all sorts of commercial driving who know what it takes to succeed in the trucking industry. We are professionally-taught educators who can guide you through all of your questions about driving, including the pre-trip inspection, proper handling of large vehicles, and road condition safety concerns.

2. Hands-On Training

We provide real-world training with modern equipment that matches the trucks you’ll actually be driving on the road. You’ll practice everything from low-speed maneuvers to long-distance driving, ensuring you’re comfortable and confident when you start your career.

3. Preparation for the CDL Exam

Our curriculum covers every part of the CDL exam, from the written knowledge test to the skills test. You’ll be fully prepared to pass on your first attempt and confidently succeed on the very first load you take.

4. Job Placement Assistance

We even offer job placement assistance and connect you with our top trucking partners that are looking for drivers. We work with both local firms and large national corporations. We’ll stand by your side and help you find the right fit.

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If you’re ready to start your journey, you can apply today or contact us with any questions you may have. We’ll guide you through the process and ensure you’re fully prepared for life as a long-haul truck driver. Your future on the open road is just one step away!

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