OTR - Sundays & Church

So, wondering for any of you drivers that are adamant in your Faith and attending your Church services, when you are on the road can you leave your rig for a few hours to attend Church? Do any companies allow you to go off-route a few miles to park your rig to attend Church?

Also how does this affect a drivers HOS?

There are traveling chapels at the truck stops I've been to. You shouldn't have any problems attending service. Just go off duty for an hour or so and go.

So, wondering for any of you drivers that are adamant in your Faith and attending your Church services, when you are on the road can you leave your rig for a few hours to attend Church? Do any companies allow you to go off-route a few miles to park your rig to attend Church?

Also how does this affect a drivers HOS?

This is an interesting question. I am anxious to hear the answers. I already know many pastors across the country from when I was stationed at various places in the country.

Companies do not mind you going out of route slightly. As long as we aren't talking a few hours out of route then you're fine. Going out of route 5 miles doesn't hurt anyone.

I am a Christian myself so I value church. However, it's very difficult to be attending church. Your DM will set you up with a load on Friday that will keep you busy for the weekend. So even finding a Sunday to take off is challenging. You're always under a load and usually don't have the comfort to do whatever you want whenever you want. I can't remember the last time when I wasn't busy on a Sunday.

Also, church's usually aren't truck routes. So you will probably risk some tough roads just to get to the church. It can also be a challenge to find parking within a decent radius of the church. It's hard to realize just how big these things are unless you take it to a parking lot filled with 4 wheelers. Your truck will be taking about 10 parking spots, I can't guarantee they'll be ok with that. So another thing to consider is that it's very hard to find an actual church that can accommodate trucks.

At most big truck stops there's usually a church service on Sunday morning. These are your best bet.

Honestly, the best way to worship God is to do it by yourself and your Bible. Good old 1 on 1. It's far to difficult to find an actual church that you can drive to and a whole different challenge to find a place to park once there.

So I would say you have a few options. Worship God alone in the comfort of your truck. Attend chapel services at truck stops. Or drop your trailer a truck stop and bobtail to the church. You should be fine as a bobtail. However, you'll need to talk to management at the truck stop about dropping your trailer. Most truck stops don't allow dropped trailers. Never drop the trailer without a Kingpin lock on it.

A lot of churches stream their services on line now, also.

You can look into podcasts/radio services as well when you can't make it to a church. Also you may get a load through wyoming/montana etc on sunday and be nowhere near a church. For me, I'd take a bible and try to find a quiet place. You can find some beautiful scenery to get close to god out there. We stopped at a rest area in montana one day that was one of the most peaceful places I've ever seen. Personally things like that bring me closer to god.

You can look into podcasts/radio services as well when you can't make it to a church. Also you may get a load through wyoming/montana etc on sunday and be nowhere near a church. For me, I'd take a bible and try to find a quiet place. You can find some beautiful scenery to get close to god out there. We stopped at a rest area in montana one day that was one of the most peaceful places I've ever seen. Personally things like that bring me closer to god.

The rest area in Elk Mountain WY came to mind.. You ever been there?

You can look into podcasts/radio services as well when you can't make it to a church. Also you may get a load through wyoming/montana etc on sunday and be nowhere near a church. For me, I'd take a bible and try to find a quiet place. You can find some beautiful scenery to get close to god out there. We stopped at a rest area in montana one day that was one of the most peaceful places I've ever seen. Personally things like that bring me closer to god.

The rest area in Elk Mountain WY came to mind.. You ever been there?

I haven't.

I got blown past Elk Mountain last January, does that count?

@ Daniel, you have a point there. Getting there is one thing and being able to park is another. Out of the many churches I am familiar with and have been to before, there is only one that I can think of now that can handle a big rig.

The podcast idea is also a good second. I've listened to audio podcasts and watched video podcasts. The audio you can have running while driving so you can do that anytime. When you can't make it to church, you can't make it. But there is just something about being there that is so beneficial. The one on one with God; you don't need a Sunday for that. You can do that all day long, everyday! Finding a beautiful place to do it just adds to the experience. All good answers.