There are a lot of variables that impact how many miles truckers can drive in a day. The main factor is time constraints, as dictated by the iron-clad Hours of Service rules. However, there are also factors that can cut into driving time, such as delays at the loading dock or traffic issues on the route.

Even the most well-planned journey can be impacted by weather, road conditions, police checkpoints, or other events. If these occur, it can dramatically reduce a driver’s mileage for the day.

Another factor that can affect a driver’s mileage is the speed limit of the road they are traveling on. Highways with lower speed limits will cut into a driver’s total driving hours because they allow drivers to travel farther in the same amount of time.

Trucking is an amazing career choice if you like to be on the go and see the country. But it is not for everyone. The lifestyle can be very lonely if you are not a person who enjoys solitude. And you must be willing to spend a lot of time away from home and family.

If you are interested in pursuing this exciting career, we encourage you to consider our OTR Driver Training Program. It can help you become a successful owner-operator, and it includes a spreadsheet to estimate your all-in profit per mile, which is the most important metric for any trucking business. To learn more, please click here.