Hours Of A OTR Truck Driver?

What are the typical hours of a truck driver? I know the transportation industry is a 24 hour business, but can you choose the hours you want to drive? Or are the hours decided for you? I am a morning and afternoon person and I hate graveyard shifts. I would struggle to stay away midnight and 6am.

Thanks.

It depends on your appointment times. Its all about trip planning. Some loads deliver at 6am and you'll have to get up at 2am to drive to make it there on time. Some loads have plenty of time so you can wake up and drive when you want. Some loads you pick up in the evening and have to drive overnight.

So it really all depends on the load. I am a morning person also. I thrive waking up at 5am in the morning and going to bed at about 9pm. But that's not always possible.

There really is no set schedule. Everyday is different and you usually never start each day at the same time.

Come into trucking expecting to have to drive at any time. You won't be able to refuse to night drive because you hate it.

I hope I helped. Ask any other questions you may have we are here for you!

Even though truck driving is a 24 hour business the night hours don't seem as permanent as if you work 8 hour rotating shifts as a police officer or nurse. Such as working an 8 hour graveyard shift for a month, then move to day shift the next month, then move to swing swift the next month, the move back to the graveyard shift. That is harder.

I would much rather work through the night --- as long the hours change daily or weekly. For example, its easier to wake up at 2am and drive through the night to deliver at 6am, then sleep a few hours, then wake up the next morning at 11am to drive, then the next day at 6am, then the next day at noon, then the next day at 12am.

I adapt to erratic hours that change daily as opposed to grueling rotating shifts.

Thanks again.

I am still a morning and afternoon person, but the nights I could handle as long as its not permanent every night for a month.

It's not permanent and usually if you're stuck night driving then you'll usually get out of it in a few days. If anything you can set your availability for the next load in the next day in the morning to move back from night driving.