When my mom decided to move back to Michigan after a short time living with her little sister, my uncle, her little brother, used one of his semi-trucks to help move her and her belongings home.
Shortly after my mom moved back home near me in Southeast Michigan, my aunt’s North Carolina home suffered a fire, which started in the area where my mom was living. Had my mom still been living with her, she would have died in that fire. While no one died, my aunt and her family lost a lifetime of physical memories in that fire. Sadly, their home burnt to the ground, taking everything they owned with it.
Because my uncle had a dedicated trucking route from Michigan to North Carolina, he could get work done while also being there for his sister and her family as they trudged through a difficult time. Sometimes he planned his routes and deliveries so he could stay a few days at a time to support them.
During regular times, before and after the fire tragedy, we took the same route by vehicle to visit my family in North Carolina, and there were an enormous number of truckers on the freeways we traveled. In fact, it was quite nerve-racking sometimes to drive between the semi-trucks cruising through the mountains of West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina.
The route we usually took was:
- I-75 South to I-80 East
- I-80 East to I-77 South
- I-77 South to I-74 East
- I-74 East to US-52 South
- US-52 South (back on) I-74 East
- I-74 East to I-73 South
While we were on I-77 South, through Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, we encountered the most truckers. Apparently, it is one of many dedicated trucking routes.
A dedicated trucking route, according to Paper Transport, “Dedicated trucking means a carrier has exclusively allocated assets (truck drivers) and resources (such as trucks and trailers) specifically to one customer. Hence the name dedicated driving. Dedicated drivers can operate in the following types of positions:
Local – operating area is typically with a 200-250 mile radius of a the driver’s domicile and they are typically home daily.
Regional – operating area is typically within 1-2 days from the driver’s domicile. Typically home 34-48 hours weekly (we’ll get into this more in depth below)
Over-the-Road (OTR) – offering the most miles, over the road typically covers coast to coast or what’s considered “long-haul” trucking. Typically, drivers spend weeks out on the road.
At face value, regional trucking can take drivers anywhere across a particular region. That is to say, they are driving in the West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, or Southwest. Regional truckers seldom drive to another region or across the country as is with over-the-road driving.
The opposite of dedicated trucking is non-dedicated freight where typically the carrier wins freight from freight boards or spot market,”.
My uncle’s trucking company has a mix of both dedicated and non-dedicated freight. But with diesel costs right now, I’m guessing it’s difficult to keep a trucking business thriving. Hopefully, there will be some much-needed changes in the coming months to help everyone, including the truckers who move our goods across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
(Photo Credit: Kodiak Trucking)
Best trucker routes
Recently, I’ve thought about switching careers before I retire. Granted, I have another decade and a half or so until I can retire, but it feels closer today than it did in my last decade of life.
As someone who loves traveling, especially by road trip, getting my CDL (commercial driver’s license) and becoming a truck driver is ranking high on the list. I love to camp as well, and the tractor part of a semi-truck is sort of like a mini camper. As long as the price of diesel goes down and I do not have to unload or load any of the freight I carry in the trailer, it’s really a win-win job for me. I get to travel, camp, sightsee, bring my dogs, and be on the open road while simultaneously making money.
Plus, I will get to pull that trucker horn for kids – how cool! Let’s see what experts have to say about which trucker routes are the best.
The professionals at EZ Freight Factoring, “Spending hours on the road at a time, truck drivers also appreciate the value of beautiful scenery and enjoyment it brings to any long haul. Every truck driver, and for that matter, every American should be sure to drive along these scenic American highways and create and experience to remember for a lifetime.
U.S. 1, Florida Keys – drive across 7 Mile Bridge, one of the longest bridges in the world, and find yourself in the Caribbean tropics among white sand, palm trees, and coral.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Carolinas and Virginia – twisting through the Great Smokey Mountains and snuggled into the heart of Appalachia, this panoramic drive provides scenic overlooks to all who travel across its nearly 500 miles of pavement.
Lake Short Drive, Chicago – of all the scenic American highways, lake shore drive is unique in its contrasting landscape. To east lays the blue expanse of Lake Michigan and its sandy shore; to the west rises the tall building of Chicago.
Route 12, Utah – Winding through Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks, the 124-mile strip may seem lonely and isolated, but the towering red rocks make the views truly one-of-a-kind.
North Shore Drive, Minnesota – driving along the Minnesota shoreline of Lake Superior, travelers will be awestruck by the surrounding natural beauty.
Ocean Drive, Newport, Rhode Island – the 10-mile coastal route provides spectacular maritime views accompanies by an array of historic mansions.
Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington – Start in Seattle and head northwest to find yourself in the largest road free area in the continental United States. The only way to get around is to take the looping Highway 101. Luckily this stretch of road includes the ancient Hoh River rainforest, breathtaking mountain views and pools on Olympic beaches.
Highway 101, Oregon – another stretch of Highway 101 is just as inspiring as the first. With unobstructed ocean views for over 300 miles along Oregon’s coast, this road is hand-down one of the most scenic American highways.
Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire – few places highlight the beauty of fall like this 36-mile stretch of highway snuggled into New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
Trail Ridge Road, Colorado – Rising as high was 12,185 through the Rocky Mountains, this highway follows a route traced over the Continental Divide by Native Americans for thousands of years,”.
What are the 3 types of CDL license
If I were to consider trucking as an optional end-of-working-life career, I would want to haul freight in a semi-truck on long-haul, local, or regional routes, depending on the time of year.
Smith Solomon, a commercial driver training company, suggests that, “Whether you’re aiming for long-haul trucking, local delivery routes, or specialized driving roles, understanding the different CDL classifications is the first step toward building a successful career.
Class A CDL – Required for combination vehicles such as tractor-trailers
Class B CDL – Required for single vehicles like buses and box trucks
Class C CDL – Required for smaller commercial vehicles carrying passengers or hazardous materials
A Class A CDL is the most versatile and widely sought-after license. It allows you to operate combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs with trailers exceeding 10,000 lbs.,”.
Dedicated trucking routes
In conclusion, dedicated trucking routes offer stability, meaningful connections, and adventure, making this career path appealing for drivers who value reliable work and life on the road.
