The trucking industry is growing rapidly and is expected to continue expanding over the next couple of years. The demand for drivers is at an all-time high. As a truck driver, you spend the majority of your time traveling to new places and meeting new people. If you are someone who enjoys working independently and hates sitting behind a desk all day, truck driving could be a great career for you!
At Royal logistics, there are three divisions: local, regional, and long-haul.
Local drivers typically follow routes that are within a 250-mile radius in North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota. It also allows drivers to be home every night. This is a huge benefit for those with a family. When working in our regional trucking division, drivers are required to cover routes typically covering Midwest region and Southeast regions back to North Dakota, averaging 2800-3200 miles per week. Regional drivers generally return back home on weekends. Long haul truckers frequently cross states and drive from one end of the country to another. Drivers follow routes across all 48 states, averaging 3200-3600 miles per week.
Local driving is very different from regional or long-haul trucking. When considering which division works best for you, consider the following advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages of Local Routes
Familiarity with the area: When working in short-haul trucking, you are covering familiar areas. Since you already know the terrain, there is no need to seek out new gas stations or restaurants.
Balancing work and home life: Local drivers return home most nights and rarely spend the night on the road. This can be a major benefit for those who prefer to stay close to home.
Predictability: Short-haul trucking is a lot of repetitive routes. This is unlike regional and long-haul trucking.
Disadvantages of Local Routes
Constant loading and unloading: Because of the shorter routes, local drivers spend more time loading and unloading at docks. This means more time maneuvering in the docks and less time on the road.
Long days: Local routes are often short, meaning drivers can do more than one route per day. Depending on the number of routes a driver has, the days can get long.
When you drive for Royal Logistics, you can choose whether you want local, regional or long haul routes. Each division has its own advantages and disadvantages. Based on your lifestyle, you can choose whichever division fits you best. Want to learn more about long-haul driving, check out our post.