Running On Recaps

Hey guys. I have a few questions. If I want to run on recaps how many hours should should I actually be driving per day? In addition, what about the time I need each day to get fuel and bathroom breaks and godforbid I want to take a shower?

I’m trying to add all this up and it seems like I would go over 70 hours in an 8 day period. Can someone help me figure this out?

Hey guys. I have a few questions. If I want to run on recaps how many hours should should I actually be driving per day? In addition, what about the time I need each day to get fuel and bathroom breaks and godforbid I want to take a shower?

I’m trying to add all this up and it seems like I would go over 70 hours in an 8 day period. Can someone help me figure this out?

So if you have 70 hours ÷ 8 days = 8.75 Basically if you work 8.75 hours total on-duty and driving time combined you can work 7 days per week forever. Your daily total can be more or less but has to average out to no more than 8.75 per day for the 8 day period. Off duty time to shower, eat, potty etc doesn't count as it is off duty time.

Math is great to make a plan. However in real life it is very difficult to make that happen. Customers time schedules will most often get in the way. I rarely run recaps, but the last 3 weeks I have and it gets annoying looking at the appt times, then figuring up if you have the hours. It is always your responsibilty to ensure you have enough hours to make the appt’s on time.

Wow, 8 hours and 45 mins per day for 8 days. Now, within those 8 hours and 45 mins doesn’t that include your showers and bathroom breaks? Just because you go off duty doesn’t mean it stops your 14 hour clock. You get what I’m saying?

I’m asking this because I have an opportunity coming up that seems very promising, and pays a lot of money, but I just don’t think it’s possible. 4,200 - 4,400 miles in a 7-8 day period while running recaps.

Wow, 8 hours and 45 mins per day for 8 days. Now, within those 8 hours and 45 mins doesn’t that include your showers and bathroom breaks? Just because you go off duty doesn’t mean it stops your 14 hour clock. You get what I’m saying?

I’m asking this because I have an opportunity coming up that seems very promising, and pays a lot of money, but I just don’t think it’s possible. 4,200 - 4,400 miles in a 7-8 day period while running recaps.

No it doesn't include that time. Using 8 hours and 45 minutes per day leaves you 5 hours and 15 minutes of off duty time. If you cant eat, use the bathroom, shower and relax in up to 5 1/4 hours in addition to your mandatory 10 hour break you have serious problems. Off duty time doesn't stop the 14 hour clock but it doesn't count toward the 8 3/4 on duty/driving time either.

Personally I rarely run recaps as I don't like my workday dictated by how many hours I get back each day. Nor do I want to work 7 days a week.

Oh, and fueling is done while on duty.

Jose the miles your talking are possible, but not probable. I did 4200 in 8 days once and the most of it was one load, ca to chicago then 2 other loads were preloaded and I grabbed them and went. I also don’t drive a goverened truck. That was alot. I had 1 minute left on my 70 when I was finished. That also included fueling/pretrip or post trip being combined and scrimping on the other. I know DOT would have frowned upon it. For a rookie I don’t think it would be possible, just my opinion.

I did 3512 dispatched miles from 1 to 8 April, all on recaps. I still have 2:42 on my 70 hour clock right now.

All I do is recaps and I'm pretty good at it.

Your recaps are the total of driving and on duty not driving time each day. That total of what you do today is what you get back eight days later. Try to average right to nine hours of driving per day for good recaps. This is not always possible, however if you start recaps with time left on your 70 it will add. Hope this is starting to make sense.

Just for clarification, the 70 hours in an 8 day period, that’s only for ON DUTY activities right? So, if I go off duty when I’m at a shipper or receiver, or if I go off duty to take a shower at a truck stop or get something to eat, that stops the clock right? Or is all of that still going against my 70 hour clock? Just like when you’re on your sleeper birth it freezes your clock right?

Sorry y’all, I’m just trying to make sense of this.