Truck Stops - I Hate Them Already 🤣

Ok, first time out and first time at truck stop and my goodness it’s a whole new world I’ve encountered haha.

I pretty much will try to avoid them if I can. Where do most park? I’ve seen some pretty comfy weigh stations, rest stops with hardly anyone parking there.

I have a buddy who parks close to his first stop in a retail area (not in the lot) but on a side street that’s not congested. Think, retail areas where everyone is gone and lots of empty street parking.

Just wondering... though I will say I was surprised at how nice the shower was at Loves in Post Falls, Idaho 🎉

Hey Jared, as a flat-bed driver, I would bet some of your customers would allow you to park on their premises. I also ran a dedicated flatbed gig. I would oftentimes park at my customer's location. Let's say I had a 0700 appointment. I'd arrive the night before around 2200 or 2300 then unload in the morning and get started on my other stops.

When you want to take a shower, it's hard to beat a good truck stop though.

Thanks Old School! That’s exactly my plan for today’s run. Going to fuel and head for my first stop for tomorrow at 0700. Just have to watch that clock. Don’t want to be parked outside and tell them- I have to sit for an hour or two before I can move to unload

Hey Jared, as a flat-bed driver, I would bet some of your customers would allow you to park on their premises. I also ran a dedicated flatbed gig. I would oftentimes park at my customer's location. Let's say I had a 0700 appointment. I'd arrive the night before around 2200 or 2300 then unload in the morning and get started on my other stops.

When you want to take a shower, it's hard to beat a good truck stop though.

I would always prefer a rest area to any truck stop unless there is an urgent need for shower or some maintenance issue.

I guess you could say that was the one nice things about running the Dollar Tree account. You were always allowed to park there either the night before you were too deliver or after if you needed a ten hour break.

Don’t want to be parked outside and tell them- I have to sit for an hour or two before I can move to unload

Its your logbook and its ultimately your responsibility. BUT many drivers will creep (under 5mph) to the unload area if they're onsite. This allows them to unload while off duty and start with a fresh clock when they're done unloading. Legally moving the truck/checking in is supposed to be on duty and/or Yard Move however thats one way that many drivers will maximize their earning potential. You could also use a split sleeper berth if needed.

Yes. You always know who is trying to avoid starting their clock by the way they are creeping around the lot, whether it be a customer lot or a truck stop..

I dont know if this option is available to you but...

If I arrive at a customer where I can show up early and spend the night, instead of starting my clock to go get unloaded, I will use personal conveyance and choose the option "repositioning vehicle". That way I don't interrupt my reset. Unless I misheard the instructor in my ELD class, she said it is totally legal to do that.

Please let me know if you think it is not in fact legal. I don't want to be offering bad advice

Awwwwwww.... thanks so much!!!

Don’t want to be parked outside and tell them- I have to sit for an hour or two before I can move to unload

Its your logbook and its ultimately your responsibility. BUT many drivers will creep (under 5mph) to the unload area if they're onsite. This allows them to unload while off duty and start with a fresh clock when they're done unloading. Legally moving the truck/checking in is supposed to be on duty and/or Yard Move however thats one way that many drivers will maximize their earning potential. You could also use a split sleeper berth if needed.

Thanks everybody - I’m so new at this and so much to learn and remember as you all know. Creep mode I like that... makes sense. If I’m at a customer and I’m still on my 10 hour I could creep and won’t switch my status. I remember someone talking about this the other day. Thanks for reminder !

I just read your other post about being hourly. Unloading while off duty is beneficial to conserving your clock but if they track your pay by the time on your 70 clock you'll get unloaded quicker but your paycheck may be lower. In your instance you may be better off making them wait a couple hours to finish your break, unless you're trying to make it home a little earlier.

Creeping and unloading while off duty is far more beneficial to somebody paid CPM.