Do You Drive At Night Or Daytime?

When I was solo I preferred to start around 2 a.m. but would adjust my schedule as needed for a load. As a trainer, I drove all kinds of different hours. I have to get my students time driving both in the day and at night.

I try to do the same thing os does. I was having problems when I was running nights because all my appts would be during the day so it kinda screwed that up. Now that I have an experienced fleet manager he keeps me running no matter what schedule I happen to end up on.

I would really like to start around 3am every day, but i'm ne regional and home every week so usually i just have to keep moving. if i take a short day to adjust my schedule then it usually catches up with me by then end of the week. Also, i found in the summer if i run until early evening then I'm less likely to be stuck trying to sleep in a hot truck.

I am constantly flipping my schedule around - I just do whatever makes it most efficient for that week. I don't do dumb stuff like rolling through Atlanta, GA or Chicago in the middle of the day. I'll plan that ahead so that I'm going through those kinds of places at two or three in the morning. There are a lot of different factors that play a part in my decision making, but the one thing I don't do is just decide that I am going to drive at night or at daytime. I try to do what makes it all come out the best for efficient use of my allotted hours.

I realize I'm still new here, but analyzing things from a logical standpoint, this approach seems to make the most sense to me, at least in terms of maximizing your productivity (which is exactly what I intend to do).

OTOH, the freedom is what drew a lot of people to this job I suppose, so there is that...

I just drive whatever works out, both day and night. If i drive during the day and then have a 2am appt time, then I guess I'm driving at night now lol.

I find it ironic though, these companies are mandating sleep studies to help catch and prevent drowsy driving, but at the same time have no problem dispatching you on runs that have you driving days for a couple days, then nights for a couple, totally messing up circadian rhythm

But, I do whatever the company asks, I just adjust as best I can, if I get sleepy, I find a place to rest.

Sambo are you a reefer driver? I had the same issue when I pulled reefers with Swift. I kinda liked the variety but it was hard to switch my schedule all the time like that. Now that I'm dedicated all my appointments are during normal business hours.

Yeap, I drive a reefer truck. I'm still new to trucking, so I'm still learning how it all works. Getting more comfortable, bit I still have those moments where things are not so comfortable.

Trip planning is still being worked out. Right now it's, I just drive when I have hours, sleep when I don't lol. Haven't gotten to the part where I actually plan on WHEN I'm going to be WHERE, but it's coming

I just drive whatever works out, both day and night. If i drive during the day and then have a 2am appt time, then I guess I'm driving at night now lol.

I find it ironic though, these companies are mandating sleep studies to help catch and prevent drowsy driving, but at the same time have no problem dispatching you on runs that have you driving days for a couple days, then nights for a couple, totally messing up circadian rhythm

But, I do whatever the company asks, I just adjust as best I can, if I get sleepy, I find a place to rest.

Sambo are you a reefer driver? I had the same issue when I pulled reefers with Swift. I kinda liked the variety but it was hard to switch my schedule all the time like that. Now that I'm dedicated all my appointments are during normal business hours.

Yeap, I drive a reefer truck. I'm still new to trucking, so I'm still learning how it all works. Getting more comfortable, bit I still have those moments where things are not so comfortable.

Trip planning is still being worked out. Right now it's, I just drive when I have hours, sleep when I don't lol. Haven't gotten to the part where I actually plan on WHEN I'm going to be WHERE, but it's coming

Cool! Yeah I thought reefer was fun. Everything takes a little bit longer but it's all the little stuff that is enjoyable. Do you use sleeper splits? I used them all the time when I pulled reefer, made things so much easier--well, not really easier, but gave me more time to drive when I needed it. Who do you work for btw?

Nearly all my deliveries are due at 0700 so my driving is daytime. I'm usually shutdown by 20:00 or no later than 22:00. We deliver a lot to Lowe's but even when it's not a Lowe's most of my consignees have overnight parking so finding a parking place is rarely a problem.

I prefer driving afternoon into the evening / night. I am just useless between 2 am and 5 am. I think i am that way from years flying as a crewchief. The most effective way to get day, night unaided and night goggle flying in was start in the afternoon and fly thru dark.

On an unrelated note I find that our mandatory 10 hours down time is the same in the aviation world. Aviation can fly 8 hours of day time flying, 5 hours of night or 6 hours total in combination. Aviation has a 12 hour duty day with extensions available to extend it to 14 hours. Anyways, sorry for getting off topic.

I just drive whatever works out, both day and night. If i drive during the day and then have a 2am appt time, then I guess I'm driving at night now lol.

I find it ironic though, these companies are mandating sleep studies to help catch and prevent drowsy driving, but at the same time have no problem dispatching you on runs that have you driving days for a couple days, then nights for a couple, totally messing up circadian rhythm

But, I do whatever the company asks, I just adjust as best I can, if I get sleepy, I find a place to rest.

Sambo are you a reefer driver? I had the same issue when I pulled reefers with Swift. I kinda liked the variety but it was hard to switch my schedule all the time like that. Now that I'm dedicated all my appointments are during normal business hours.

Yeap, I drive a reefer truck. I'm still new to trucking, so I'm still learning how it all works. Getting more comfortable, bit I still have those moments where things are not so comfortable.

Trip planning is still being worked out. Right now it's, I just drive when I have hours, sleep when I don't lol. Haven't gotten to the part where I actually plan on WHEN I'm going to be WHERE, but it's coming

Cool! Yeah I thought reefer was fun. Everything takes a little bit longer but it's all the little stuff that is enjoyable. Do you use sleeper splits? I used them all the time when I pulled reefer, made things so much easier--well, not really easier, but gave me more time to drive when I needed it. Who do you work for btw?

Nope, I don't use splits. Not really needed them yet. I drive for knight refrigerated.