Pilot

Does everybody stop at a truck stop every day to sleep or most of the time?

Tammy, the answer is we stop somewhere everyday for our ten hour break. That is when we sleep. Everybody manages their clock in their own way. One driver may prefer state run "Rest Areas," while others may prefer truck stops. Some drivers may even be able to sleep at company terminals. I often sleep at my customer's property. There are a lot of places where we sleep.

As you do this job and learn about the different areas of the country, you will discover places that you prefer. Some states have really nice rest areas with restaurants and even showers available for the truckers. I know a few places down on the coast in Mississippi and Alabama where I can park in a public parking area that is right on the beach. I can take a nice stroll on the beach, eat at a nice seafood restaurant, and then go to bed in my truck. What I am trying to say is that we learn where the best places to park are as we travel the country. Most of us either sleep at a truck stop or a public rest area. As we gain some experience we develop our own list of places where we like to stop.

Some states have limited truck parking. New Jersey would fall in that category. I have developed relationships with some of my customers in New Jersey who will allow me to park on their property even when I am not making a delivery to their place. That has helped me manage my time tremendously when passing through that state. Truckers will park wherever they can. I see them parking in some really crazy places at times. I do not recommend parking on exit ramps. I see it all the time, but I do not do that.

The truck stops parking thing for your break will be something that you get better at with experience. This means you will find that not all are created equal as far as locations, amenities, layout of the parking spaces, and how easy it is to exit at the conclusion of your break. Some areas of the country have few spots available no matter if it's day or night, while others always have spots.

When I was OTR , I liked parking at the shipper or receiver, but that's also a tradeoff. You're already there with parking, but most have no facilities. It could be a huge drop lot, but you could be hearing the yard spotter picking up and dropping trailers a few feet away all night, too.

Most companies will let you know with the dispatch information if you can park overnight at the customer. If not, you can always call beforehand, or check out the Google reviews (while looking at the satellite map) to see if other drivers have parked, too.

Always be prepared to get stranded at a customer before you arrive by having food, drinks, and entertainment. You could be there awhile.

Then where do you go to the bathroom? Is it possible to take a shower at least a few times a week? I remember washing my hair in any restroom we stopped at. Do alot of trucks have mini fridges?

The truck stops parking thing for your break will be something that you get better at with experience. This means you will find that not all are created equal as far as locations, amenities, layout of the parking spaces, and how easy it is to exit at the conclusion of your break. Some areas of the country have few spots available no matter if it's day or night, while others always have spots.

When I was OTR , I liked parking at the shipper or receiver, but that's also a tradeoff. You're already there with parking, but most have no facilities. It could be a huge drop lot, but you could be hearing the yard spotter picking up and dropping trailers a few feet away all night, too.

Most companies will let you know with the dispatch information if you can park overnight at the customer. If not, you can always call beforehand, or check out the Google reviews (while looking at the satellite map) to see if other drivers have parked, too.

Always be prepared to get stranded at a customer before you arrive by having food, drinks, and entertainment. You could be there awhile.

Showers can be taken on a 30 minute break at a truck stop, yes. As for bathroom arrangements....I'll put it this way: I feel it's easier for males. Some drivers carry an emergency bucket on the truck. It's a 5 gallon bucket with some cat litter in it.

I think most companies equip the trucks with fridges, but not all.

Yes to showers on 30 minute breaks. May does not offer fridges.

Ive parked at shippers, receivers, rest areas and mom and pop truck stops. What I won't do is pay upwards of $18 a night for PRIME parking when they already make bank off of fuel, food ,bottled water etc.

And for the record I do bring my own, but I think 18 a night is just plain greed....

Showers can be taken on a 30 minute break at a truck stop, yes. As for bathroom arrangements....I'll put it this way: I feel it's easier for males. Some drivers carry an emergency bucket on the truck. It's a 5 gallon bucket with some cat litter in it.

I think most companies equip the trucks with fridges, but not all.

I sleep at truck stops 99% of the time. I shower every morning that I sleep at a truck stop. I like to start my days clean and freshly shaved.

Tammy,

When I started with Schneider (about 7 years ago), I either parked at a truck stop or an Operations Center (OC). Schneider has plenty of these OC's across the country and most were equipped with showers (free) and plenty of parking. Also, drop lots were places we were allowed to park. Some had Portojohns, some not. As much as we might not like being without facilities, some of the most peaceful nights of sleep I've gotten were in remote places in Maine or Pennsylvania. Just me, my truck and the stars. Since moving to a southeast regional company, many of our shippers/receivers allow us to park on site.

Love's and Pilot/Flying J will give you free showers with a 50gallon purchase. And after a certain amount of fuel each month, they'll give you a bunch of free showers. Some expire in 10 days, some good for a month. Suffice to say you likely will never have to pay for a shower. As for parking, I've rarely had to pay for it (I think three times in 7 years). I've chosen to use accumulated Pilot points to pay for parking twice.

As for the bathrooms, I've found that I got into a routine of foods I won't eat, or I'll make sure I don't eat after a certain time. I also sometimes plan my stops so that I won't need a bathroom during the night. Most shippers/receivers have some type of restroom facility. With Covid, I've found some even went out of their way to keep portojohns very clean and stocked with toilet paper & hand washing stations.

I hope this helps.

Im pretty new at this, but everything they said. I park at shippers and receivers when I can, Truck stops, rest stops, abandoned parking lots if there are other trucks there. I stashed in a community college parking lot one night. It just depends on where Im at with my clocks and how far I am with the load. I usually grab a shower if Im at a stop. There are some truck stops that seem to have a lot of spaces available no matter what time of day, and some that never do. The TA in Amarillo TX is almost always mostly empty, but the Loves right across the street is always packed. But my fuel is usually at the Loves. Petros are usually pretty empty even late in the day, but some arent. Same with rest areas. They vary from state to state. Some are huge, some just a couple spots. I usually try to know where Im going to shut it down for the night (or day, i like running nights) before I start driving for the day, at least a general game plan.

I also do a lot of driving on the old US highway system. (US 287, US 131, etc) Truck stops are more scarce along them, but there are smaller out of the box ones in most towns. Pic nick areas and truck parking areas too.

My truck is very self contained, Microwave, fridge, Coffee maker, toaster. Im considering getting a camping toilet, its a dry flush, with self contained sealed bags. Its very small and portable, although I dont really have the room for it. but the thought has crossed my mind.

Oh wow! coffee maker microwave! Ive been telling family and friends that im going to do this. i said no other job can you roll out of bed still in your pjs jump in the drivers seat and start working lol. got to figure out what to say to my client of 18 years but I have to take care of me. one more question b4 i start looking for a company to get my cdl...will i be able to sign up for school fo4 say November or do most companies want you to start right away? before i tell social workers and henry I am doing this I want to make sure everything is set up at home. Thanks for all the information. sorry so many questions but im giving up a lifestyle ive had for 25 years and its scary. once i give it up and take the plunge there is NO TURNING BACK LIKE IT OR NOT