Trip Planning Practice??

Hey guys,

I'm heading into my second week of training at a school outsourced by the large carrier that accepted me. We planned only 1 trip in class, the minimum required, and I did well, but I want to get more practice in before I head to my company's orientation in two weeks. We're pre-tripping and in the truck here on out.

My question is, do you know of anywhere on the web I can find example loads as set by a major carrier, with their expected fuel stops, load/unload appointments, etc? I can make up some trip, but I don't know if it even would be realistic or not because I only have the one example in class to go from, and they kept all the materials after we tested out on it, so here I am.

TIA!

Hey guys,

I'm heading into my second week of training at a school outsourced by the large carrier that accepted me. We planned only 1 trip in class, the minimum required, and I did well, but I want to get more practice in before I head to my company's orientation in two weeks. We're pre-tripping and in the truck here on out.

My question is, do you know of anywhere on the web I can find example loads as set by a major carrier, with their expected fuel stops, load/unload appointments, etc? I can make up some trip, but I don't know if it even would be realistic or not because I only have the one example in class to go from, and they kept all the materials after we tested out on it, so here I am.

TIA!

Great idea.

I always ask myself would be great to have some training or info regarding trip planning.

This could make another great thread/article/podcast from Brett.

Use the Search at the top left, not really any Lesson Plans but good stuff about Trip Planning. This is where you will learn by others mistakes and that improved their Trip Planning Skills.

Yeah, Google is pretty hit or miss -- mainly miss.

I understand much of each trip will be set out for me, where I'll be required to fuel and when and whatnot, but I want to be able to incorporate this into my daily logs so I have a comprehensive understanding of how to not only make sense of the hours I have to work with (where to take my 30, say) but to maximize my hours on a daily basis for more miles and loads in the long run.

The Tip that sticks in my mind if you are governed to around 62 MPH is plane on 50 to 55 miles per hour, what will cover Fuel Stops, quick stop to get a little walkabout time and your 30. At least that is what I have gotten out of the forums.

Here's a scenario. Waupaca WI to Laredo TX. According to your electronic logging device, 50m deadhead to Waupaca, and 1475m to Laredo. You have a full clock. For arguments sake, let's say you average 7mpg and you're starting with a full tank. You pick up on a Friday at 0800 and an open drop window of all day Sunday through Monday.

This was a real load I had last winter.

Don't stress on it right now, go ahead and focus on the pre-trip and your driving. When you get to your company's orientation, they should have a class on trip-planning, where you'll get the opportunity to refreshen what you learned in CDL school, time to practice, etc. Those are the practice sheets & scenarios you want to keep. The blank practice sheets they give you, get extras or make copies before you begin marking them up; you may want to use those when you're starting out solo. Soon after you'll find you won't even need them.

Thanks for the advice, Pete. I'm sure they'll go over it exhaustively, just wanted a bit of a head start so I hit the ground running. I've got some extra sheets from another student who was with them before, thought I'd put them to use.lol Appreciate ya, thank you.

I'll be logging that trip, chaos, thank you for taking the time!

You can tell I'm a newb when the last thing I want to do is sit in this hotel all weekend. Would rather be out there getting my feet wet!

If you want I can post some of my recent trips. Won't mess with it tonight but if I remember I can post some tomorrow.

my company has pre planned routing fuel stops, however fuel card is unlocked for all the big 5s if I need (read as "want") to fill up else ware.