Trip Planning

Hello everyone,

So I posted back here a few weeks ago about starting on with Swift. Well, yesterday I started my first solo trip. My dispatcher was nice enough to put me on a load that would allow for me to have some home time, since I've been away from home since December 15th. So I'm excited and nervous all at that same time, I've never had a job with this level of responsibility before, being 22 most of my friends still work retail, and here I am responsible for my safety as well as others out on the road.

Here's my small dilemma though, when I was in training, I was running on a dedicated account and we did very little trip planning. I get the concept of managing hours of service, and getting to your destination legally and on time, but I'm just kind of rusty when it comes to figuring it out.

With that being said, I'm on a load that delivers to Baltimore, MD on 02/01 at 0400, right now I'm in Mebane, NC. My dad is supposed to pick me up today after he gets off of work and take me to Raleigh where home is. My question to you guys is what time should I start my trip. A buddy of mine was saying leave early Sunday, find a truck stop near where I'm delivering , take 10 then make your delivery, so that way I don't get caught running at night on my next load. Any thoughts? Sorry I know I'm a total rookie here. Also I hear traffic can be bad through DC as well.

Thanks, Dan

Dan, I agree with your buddy. I would leave Sunday morning as well. However, make sure that you're leaving early enough to avoid as much traffic as possible. It's roughly a 6 hour drive, so I would start driving at 0600 Sunday and plan to arrive at 1200.

I would also plan to take your break at the TA in Baltimore, MD. Just be careful that place is ghetto. That TA charges for parking but if you fuel 50 gallons you get free 24 hour parking. So do whatever you can to make that TA your fuel stop, if you don't you'll have to pay out of pocket for parking without reimbursement.

So basically you're telling him to leave at 6am sunday morning for a 6 hour trip, which delivers at 4am MONDAY morning? I don't understand that logic. Why so early? He'd be there around noon Sunday.

I get that he a) has to be able to park and b) a 10 hour would be good.. but why not 8 or 9 am? Lol splitting hairs, I know.

Also because it's the weekend and that particular TA will have open parking available around lunch time until 1400-1500. After that, it's a crap shoot and there really aren't any other places to stay around there. Calling it a ghetto area is being polite.

I get that he a) has to be able to park and b) a 10 hour would be good.. but why not 8 or 9 am? Lol splitting hairs, I know.

Nothing better than delivering with a full clock remaining. That's how you maximize your profit right there. That and what fire dragon dude said.

Dan, I agree with your buddy. I would leave Sunday morning as well. However, make sure that you're leaving early enough to avoid as much traffic as possible. It's roughly a 6 hour drive, so I would start driving at 0600 Sunday and plan to arrive at 1200.

I would also plan to take your break at the TA in Baltimore, MD. Just be careful that place is ghetto. That TA charges for parking but if you fuel 50 gallons you get free 24 hour parking. So do whatever you can to make that TA your fuel stop, if you don't you'll have to pay out of pocket for parking without reimbursement.

If you don't fuel there you can still get free parking if you spend $20 inside and that includes in the restaurant. You can split that $20 as long as your receipts as up to at least 20

Dan, I agree with your buddy. I would leave Sunday morning as well. However, make sure that you're leaving early enough to avoid as much traffic as possible. It's roughly a 6 hour drive, so I would start driving at 0600 Sunday and plan to arrive at 1200.

I would also plan to take your break at the TA in Baltimore, MD. Just be careful that place is ghetto. That TA charges for parking but if you fuel 50 gallons you get free 24 hour parking. So do whatever you can to make that TA your fuel stop, if you don't you'll have to pay out of pocket for parking without reimbursement.

If you don't fuel there you can still get free parking if you spend $20 inside and that includes in the restaurant. You can split that $20 as long as your receipts as up to at least 20

True that, but it makes more sense to use the companies money to get fuel instead of taking money out of your own pocket. Besides, there's a dozen much better places to eat within walking distance.

Daniel B. speaks truth:

True that, but it makes more sense to use the companies money to get fuel instead of taking money out of your own pocket.

Yes, but ....
Swift will assign a particular truck stop for refueling. It's not easy to change that. Back to the dinner + breakfast for $20. I've done that at Petro myself.

Dan, I agree with your buddy. I would leave Sunday morning as well. However, make sure that you're leaving early enough to avoid as much traffic as possible. It's roughly a 6 hour drive, so I would start driving at 0600 Sunday and plan to arrive at 1200.

I would also plan to take your break at the TA in Baltimore, MD. Just be careful that place is ghetto. That TA charges for parking but if you fuel 50 gallons you get free 24 hour parking. So do whatever you can to make that TA your fuel stop, if you don't you'll have to pay out of pocket for parking without reimbursement.

If you don't fuel there you can still get free parking if you spend $20 inside and that includes in the restaurant. You can split that $20 as long as your receipts as up to at least 20

True that, but it makes more sense to use the companies money to get fuel instead of taking money out of your own pocket. Besides, there's a dozen much better places to eat within walking distance.

If your company asked you to fuel there. As Errol pointed out various companies have their designated fuel spots. If you don't want to eat there, there are other options. If there was something you needed to buy anyway you could get that. Bonus if it is something your company will reimburse you for.