Best States To Be A Truck Driver

Are there better states than others to be a truck driver in terms of getting good miles? I saw a video on youtube recently with a truck driver talking about living near good running lanes being important so you can get good miles right away instead of taking several days to work into the company's good running areas when first heading out and then conversely losing out on good miles if you have to be taken out of good running lanes to get back home. I was wondering if you had the flexibility to move anywhere, what location would you want to live in and be a trucker, in terms of having the best chance to get good miles? or does it matter?

My plan is to drive for a couple years and figure out which state i want to live in. Maybe northern California, Oregon , or West Virginia the part thats close to w maryland as the rolling hills are beautiful.

Also consider that certain states do not have state income tax. I wouldn't say that should be a deciding factor by any means, but it's a little more money you get to keep just for living in certain states.

Not so sure about that.

Example - you don't want to have a NYC address (that you are rarely ever occupying). Between Fed, State and NYC taxes - you could be forking over close to 50% of your income in taxes. California also has a very high tax rate - the reason a lot of business and individuals are leaving (as well as a cost of living almost as high as NYC).

A number of other states (NC for example) also have an annual "personal property tax".

While I believe in supporting where I live (patronizing local businesses whenever possible) - the notion of forking over a lot of hard earned $$, for services I don't receive (by being OTR 48 weeks out of the year) is loathsome.

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming - do not have personal income taxes.

As far as "better states to get good miles" - as long as you're willing to run OTR and aren't looking for a regional (home every week) type of gig - than one state is as good as another pretty much. You have to consider, if you're going home once a month (or so) - then getting your home time is the only time you would have to consider where you reside.

Companies won't hire where they DON'T RUN (like Mario & myself here in S. Florida - with very few companies hiring), because they don't want the hassle & expense of deadheading you in and out for home time.

The plan of "driving for a couple of years" and looking for a place to put down roots is a pretty good one. Assuming you don't have roots now. But for right NOW - companies consider the address your drivers license currently lists, as your domicile location.

Rick

It really depends on the company and where their most important customers are located. I can't imagine Southern Florida would be good, regardless of the company. My company for example, operates primarily in the midwest where freight rates tend to be higher but we also have many customers in the Atlanta area and parts of the northeast so we run there also. Since I live close to Louisville I65, I64, and I71, there are always plenty of options to get me home or back out when I'm ready to roll again.

It really depends on the company and where their most important customers are located. I can't imagine Southern Florida would be good, regardless of the company. My company for example, operates primarily in the midwest where freight rates tend to be higher but we also have many customers in the Atlanta area and parts of the northeast so we run there also. Since I live close to Louisville I65, I64, and I71, there are always plenty of options to get me home or back out when I'm ready to roll again.

F*** me right, lol

Yeah, unfortunately you're in a tough spot down there when it comes to OTR trucking but there's work to be found. Just not quite as many opportunities as you'll find elsewhere.

The far Northeast like CT, NH, VT, and ME, Florida, some of the upper Midwest like the Dakotas and the upper Mountain region like Wyoming and Montana can be rough places to find work at times. But it does depend on the company and the type of freight also. The most opportunities are found throughout the Midwest. But you can find opportunities anywhere.

My plan is to drive for a couple years and figure out which state i want to live in. Maybe northern California, Oregon , or West Virginia the part thats close to w maryland as the rolling hills are beautiful.

My plan is to drive for a couple years and figure out which state i want to live in. Maybe northern California, Oregon , or West Virginia the part thats close to w maryland as the rolling hills are beautiful.

Also consider that certain states do not have state income tax. I wouldn't say that should be a deciding factor by any means, but it's a little more money you get to keep just for living in certain states.

My plan is to drive for a couple years and figure out which state i want to live in. Maybe northern California, Oregon , or West Virginia the part thats close to w maryland as the rolling hills are beautiful.

Also consider that certain states do not have state income tax. I wouldn't say that should be a deciding factor by any means, but it's a little more money you get to keep just for living in certain states.

Not so sure about that.

Example - you don't want to have a NYC address (that you are rarely ever occupying). Between Fed, State and NYC taxes - you could be forking over close to 50% of your income in taxes. California also has a very high tax rate - the reason a lot of business and individuals are leaving (as well as a cost of living almost as high as NYC).

A number of other states (NC for example) also have an annual "personal property tax".

While I believe in supporting where I live (patronizing local businesses whenever possible) - the notion of forking over a lot of hard earned $$, for services I don't receive (by being OTR 48 weeks out of the year) is loathsome.

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming - do not have personal income taxes.

As far as "better states to get good miles" - as long as you're willing to run OTR and aren't looking for a regional (home every week) type of gig - than one state is as good as another pretty much. You have to consider, if you're going home once a month (or so) - then getting your home time is the only time you would have to consider where you reside.

Companies won't hire where they DON'T RUN (like Mario & myself here in S. Florida - with very few companies hiring), because they don't want the hassle & expense of deadheading you in and out for home time.

The plan of "driving for a couple of years" and looking for a place to put down roots is a pretty good one. Assuming you don't have roots now. But for right NOW - companies consider the address your drivers license currently lists, as your domicile location.

Rick

I would also add Tennessee to the no personal income tax.

Nice thing about TN, we have three sections, West, Middle, East, which means delta, rolling hills, and mountains. Also within 10 hours drive of Nashville is a lot of country and people, plus the Waffle House.

Don't live there anymore, but grew up in Nashville. It's a hub for trucking as a lot of freight lanes cross. It's also a mess during rush hour lol but I'd imagine you would get good miles there.

plus the Waffle House.

Haha! Yes, you definitely want to choose a state to live in that has a Waffle house nearby your domicile.

plus the Waffle House.

Haha! Yes, you definitely want to choose a state to live in that has a Waffle house nearby your domicile.

When i moved to Florida from Minnesota, i had to see what what is so great about waffle house. Maybe it was just the location i went to but I was not impressed at all.