On average the common truck driver comes home every 2-3 weeks. There are a few different variables that affect the truck deliver lifestyle:
- The company you work for
- If you are a local or over the road (OTR) truck driver
- Years of experience
- Where you live
Different companies have different routes and different schedules. Companies like UPS Freight follow Union regulations, allowing their drivers to have a more regular schedule. These are the types of trucking companies with weekend home time.
Local companies have offer more point-to-point (PTP) routes. PTP routes have the drivers exchanging freight between two or three locations. These locations are either in the city or in major cities nearby. When following PTP routes, the job’s home time varies from: home every night truck driving jobs to home once a week truck driving jobs.
However, most truck driving jobs are OTR and the companies have their drivers on the road about 2-3 weeks at a time, with a couple of days at home before they are on the road again.
Depending on the company, those with seniority tend to receive the first pick of their routes. This determines how long truck drivers are away from home because newer drivers are left with spread out routes and more remote locations. Drivers are not able to make it home as often when they have routes that are farther away.
The destination of your home can also affect home time. If you are from isolated areas you are less likely to be close to home, while on your routes. Some companies also require drivers to park their trucks at a terminal, rather than at their house. If a terminal isn’t nearby it can lead to the driver spending more time traveling home.
Source: http://www.cdl.com