Speed Limits

I am working on some basic calculations and need to better understand speed limits for trucks. I live in California and understand the statewide limit for towing vehicles is 55 mph. Under the 11-Hour driving limit that equates to a maximum daily driving distance (solo) of 605 miles. (55 x 11)

I have talked to several companies with claims of solo drivers averaging 3,000 - 3,500 miles per week and one indicting 15,000 - 20,000 miles per month. Although those may be reachable I take those claims with a grain of salt.

But my question is how fast can trucks be driven in other states?

A second question might be better asked this way: When driving on interstates, what is your average speed?

I'm governed at 60 mph so I know the right lane very well. I constantly see people pass me at what seems like 100 mph!! Well I know it's probably more like 70 - 75 mph. Your last question really depends on the state. Are you in the mountains somewhere, on flat land, near a city, etc, etc.

Personally I think the most I have driven in one day so far has been like 620 miles or so. But that's not the average, that's a record high for me.

Right now I am on a load from NJ to Los Angeles. It is 2800 miles. I will be there tomorrow night and my total driving time will be about 48 hours, I left Monday 0900 and will arrive Friday 1700. So right there is 2800 miles in 5 days, so it is possible. My average MPH has been around 58, but again... I am in the slow orange truck so other drivers. can do it faster I assume.

Right now I am on a load from NJ to Los Angeles. It is 2800 miles. I will be there tomorrow night and my total driving time will be about 48 hours, I left Monday 0900 and will arrive Friday 1700. So right there is 2800 miles in 5 days, so it is possible. My average MPH has been around 58, but again... I am in the slow orange truck so other drivers. can do it faster I assume.

How much time were you allotted to get it there? Just curious...

Oh it's not delivering until 11/19 and I left on 11/11. So I asked if I could drop it in L.A. for a relay. That means I will drop it 11/15 and someone else will deliver it on 11/19. I have no idea why the load was planned like this, but it was. No harm in having it there early I suppose. Maybe they just wanted to get me out towards the West

Michael,

There are many variables that determine 'average speed'. To say 55 x 11 = 605 miles per day is a misnomer. It doesn't work like that. First of all you can't physically spend 11 hours (actual drive time) at a constant 55 mph. Acceleration, deceleration, traffic conditions, weather, road type and conditions, tractor HP and overall condition, type of trailer and cargo plus others all go into 'average speed' determinations.

I'm pretty much right there with ThinksTooMuch. My typical distances covered on a drive day (drive day means all driving, no shippers or receivers, most of the duty time is driving) is around 600 to 620 (and that's about 9 1/2 to 10 hrs driving). Although my truck is governed at 68 I rarely exceed 63 (by choice), slower is less stressful and better for me. I also drive a tanker so acceleration and deceleration takes more time and room for me (due to surge and slosh) plus I need to take turns, curves, on-ramps and off-ramps slower than other trucks. So all of this affects my 'average speed'.

On days when I have to spend time loading or unloading my 14 hour clock tends to run short first which cuts into my 11 hour clock which ultimately means less time available for actual driving. So you don't always get to drive 11 hours.