How Often Do Truckers Come Home?

Getting your CDL can help you set the course for a rewarding career, but most people new to the industry ask, “How often do truckers come home?” The answer depends on a lot of factors, including the type of freight you’re hauling, your contract with your employer, but long-haul drivers typically come home every four to six weeks.

How Often Truckers Come Home Can Vary

When you first start out, you will need to have a certain amount of time training on the road under the supervision of an experienced truck driver. When you are training, you won’t be able to go home unless your trainer goes home. But once you’ve completed your training, your schedule will depend on the position you have.

Once you have your commercial driver’s license, there are two main options for the type of truck driving you can do, and this will affect how often you’re able to come home. You can work as a long-haul driver or you can choose to become a regional or city driver. Most truckers will start off as long-haul drivers. 

Long-haul drivers tend to stay on the road for a much longer period of time than city or regional drivers. Long-haul drivers drive across many states throughout the year and tend to drive heavier trucks for a longer period of time. Long-haul drivers, on average, can drive 100,000 miles or more each year. Long haul drivers typically come home every four to six weeks. 

If you are a city or regional truck driver, it may be a little different. A city or regional driver can haul trucks of varying sizes, but for shorter distances than a long-haul driver. Regional drivers will usually make more stops throughout the day because they are not driving as far. Most regional truckers drive about half of what long haul drivers do, on average about 50,000 miles per year. 

In some cases, when you are driving locally you will be able to get home every night, though many local drivers work very long days. Many regional drivers come home two to three times each week. Some companies do their best to have you home for a certain amount of hours every weekend.

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Other Factors That Contribute to How Often Truckers Come Home

Something else to consider when you make the decision to become a trucker is how close you live to a terminal. This will also affect how much home time you get to have. Some companies will require you to park your truck at a terminal, rather than at your residence. If you live in an isolated location or there aren’t terminals near your home, this could cause even more time away from home because it’ll take longer to get back.

There are some other trucking positions that can affect how often you come home. Drivers carrying sensitive or hazardous materials or oversized loads might work on special contracts that limit the time they’re at home during jobs.

Making a New Home in Your Truck

While nowhere can be a replacement for solid ground, many truckers find ways to make their truck feel like a home away from home. Small tips like investing in a nice mattress and bedding and bringing small appliances like a coffee maker or hot plate to make food can help your truck feel like somewhere you want to be.

Many drivers also recommend bringing pictures of family and friends with you on the road to remind you of home and coming up with creative ways to communicate with loved ones daily, like sending postcards from different stops on the road.

Jon and Tammy Walker

Truck Driver Institute was the best choice for us. TDI allowed us to explore all carriers opportunities. The instructors were top notch, caring supportive and patient. We would recommend TDI to anyone interested in a career in the trucking industry.

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To learn more about your new career as a trucker, visit our FAQ page for answers to a list of common questions about Truck Driver Institute and life on the road.

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