Local vs Dedicated vs Regional vs Longhaul (OTR): Pros and Cons of Each (Hometime, Pay, Workload) 

When I started driving trucks I went OTR. Enjoyed it when I first started trucking because I got to go to states and places I've never been or seen. I did OTR for 8 years. After a while I got tired of being on the road for weeks and months at a time and missing out on quality time with friends and family and to me OTR wasn't a life. I went regional/local where I'm home every other day and off weekends and I love it because I have that balance between home and the open road. I have a life now with my wife and family.

I can’t do otr , it feels horrible not been at home every night. Plus eating junk food and showering at gross truck stops 🤮! Not for me, i do local as an owner operator 6am thru 4 or 5 pm i can take care of my family, take my kids to sports and pull their ear when they needed, weekends off and still make great money. Took me a while to find a good honest company who appreciate me and pays me very well. I am blessed!

I was OTR on a dedicated route for 4 years, it was a nice run and good job, but now i work as a local city driver with a company thats unionized, i make 27$ an hour, anything before or after my 8 is time and a half, even if i dont hit my 40, which i always do. I also get a pension, ill be able to retire at 55, great insurance, and a 401k. I do not not miss over the road, being home every day is nice, i average 55 to 60 hrs a week, when i was OTR i was doing 70 hrs and i make more money now then i did then. But OTR was a good experience for me, it made me appreciate things more, like sleeping in my own bed, using my own bathroom, being able to shower everyday. With all of that Ill never go back to OTR, also I can never work for a company thats not union anymore.

Thank you for getting to the freaking point. I’ve learned more from this video than any other on this platform.

I cut my teeth on long haul otr at age 21, I was told ideally to get 3 years of clean otr experience then I could go anywhere I wanted. I kept it up for a year and a half then I switched companies and tried dedicated and regional. I’ve also had the chance to pull flatbed, van, and reefer, along with running a few oversize loads. Now, I’m on a really sweet dedicated account; home multiple nights a week, guaranteed 2k miles minimum per week (average 2.5k), and it’s stupid easy. All I have to do is grab a preloaded trailer, run the load, and it’s either drop and hook or live unload, then run it back to drop off and get ready for the next one.

I did otr for 7 years when I started and didn't like being gone all the time. Now I'm dedicated home every night and weekends. I also make 80k a year so I find it about the same salary

Absolutely right. You should always start with driving local because there is more maneuvering and different ports you have to park on which is good to get some experience and to get started.

Im a regional guy and I work for Dollar General last week I gross $2300

Got a dedicated route Monday thru Friday, little over 80K a year(US), I love it, home every day and off on the weekends

Right now I’m at $30 an hour locally… I am loving it… With almost 40 years of experience

If you want a life, local home every day is best. With the right company, it’s better money than OTR. Can make $30/hr and make 2 stops a day. In city LTL you make stops every 20-30 minutes and make 12-15 stops a day. True city driving that puts you in many more difficult situations.

Every veteran driver I talked to spoke down on me for doing local first and that I would end up getting stuck blah blah blah. I’ve been doing amazing. Haven’t hit any bridges, made my deliveries on time, and I’ve yet to have trouble at any dock. I always encourage new drivers like myself to do what you think is best for you.

LOCAL P&D, PAID HOURLY AND AFTER 8 HRS ITS ALL OVERTIME, FULL BENIFITS, RETIREMENT, VACATION PAY. RETIRED AT 54! I WORKED 12-15 HRS A DAY FOR MANY YEARS. AND NEVER LOOKED BACK!🍻🍻🍻

I do Regional/dedicated, best job ever, Chicago to Indianapolis, drop and hook and come back.

That was an AMAZING video! Exactly what I wanted to know. Will be doing my Class 1 in less than a month. Thanks for putting this video up

Keep up these videos brother. This is beyond insightful and I always forward your channel to new drivers. 👏

Great video. Very informative. I did 13 months on the road. Then went local for 3 years. You are right about learning more about trucking when going local. I’ve learned so much going local. Yes I’ve just hit my third year with no accident. So I’m hoping things go smoother from here. Thanks again driver for the great info

Ilove it. This video is definitely 10/10 for sure! I appreciate the love and the initiative that he imputes in the video as well. This video should be at every academy school of trucking for sure!!!

I love this channel. As a prospective entry level Class A holder I'm definitely looking into doing local driving.

Funny because when I first started out you had to go OTR before you could go local LOL. Because it seemed everyone wanted to be local

Good vibes, but whenever i tried getting local runs i was told i would have to do OTR first. One of the good things with dedicated, is you can spend your 10 hr break at 🏡 when in home state. No need for gps, you know your routes, its a balanced life style, quality time in and out.

I really enjoy your content, you say it how it is not trying to sugarcoat anything!

I really appreciate this advice, and it’s very helpful, I wish you the best man

Amazing video! So clear and concise just what I was looking for!

Great video ET !! As always, lots of valuable useful information here.

Best way to get a local job: Hire on as a forklift driver for an LTL Freight Company and transition to driving with them. Or better yet, get most of your CDL training backing up trailers with the yard truck and then get one of the drivers to be kind enough to ride shotgun as you practice shifting and turning with your permit. Then get management to let you borrow a tractor and trailer to go do your test. Congrats. You got paid to get your CDL.

Did OTR my first couple years then did local for 6. Now I’m back OTR. Local I can honestly say has made me a much better and safe driver!

Thanks for the video. I am just a lil old class b driver but I do love driving.

Really appreciate the knowledge ET Transport shares. Great content a d knowledge always👍🏻

You sir put out some very good content and info. Very much appreciated!

Excellent video. This is exactly what I was trying to find out

Even before I just heard you say anything about dedicated I automatically loved the idea of it and now I know that I’m wanting to do the dedicated route

Starting again after 3 years of no commercial driving. Going OTR for a year , after that we'll see. Wife gave me the thumbs up and the baby won't mind, I think.

Excellent! many questions answered. Thanks

Thank you. This is helpful.

Thanx man. Great clarity!

It's a little different here in the states if your a new driver it's hard to get a local driving job local jobs usually require 1-3 years experience so your mostly gonna be on regional or long haul starting out here in the states

Very informative and straight to the point. Thanks

This guy is pretty spot on. I started off regional running the entire northeast US. Now I'm kinda in-between local and regional Buffalo, NY to Toronto. Drive about 60k miles a year but hit 5 to 12 docks a day which is why kinda local and regional. I'd be very bored with a dedicated run. My pay is a more than my first regional job but I work a lot harder and trucking has changed quite a bit in 5 plus years.

Thanks for the great video it was very informative. good job guys 👍

Thank you for the information stay safe

Thank you for the good information. I’m getting my cdl here in early spring. I will choose local.

Wow thanks for your explanation I think I’m gonna do Otr long haul I like to be on the road for weeks 💪🏿💪🏿

Thank you for the information. I'm currently interested but still thinking about it.

Thanks for the advice bro.

Local P&D also involves overnight work like working in the warehouse for a number of hours. You may not drive a particular day, but you will work the docks! It’s not a peaches and cream job. The only thing attractive about the job is the pay but the seniority stinks. That’s because when you start you get the shittiest end of the stick. You’re at the bottom of the totem pole and as a result end up with crazy 1st shift starting times. Also, you need to be flexible with your scheduling. Again, you can start at any given time of the day. Personally, I’d rather do regional, dedicated, or long haul. I’d say do regional or dedicated before doing long haul to get yourself acclimated towards the difficulties of the job, and if you feel comfortable driving long distances, and get experience, then you can do leasing, and eventually own your own truck.

Sitting in traffic is not bad when your on overtime! You get paid for everything....

Great information

Excellent breakdown of the industry

Thank you I will follow your words and start from local once my baby grow up I will go otr.

Alot local guys like myself dont sit in traffic, we know shortcuts and alternate routes to use to get around town lol. I work in PHX

Thanks a lot for all of the information, I/we appreciate it !!! 👍🏼🙏🏼👊🏼🇺🇸

I realize this video is 2 years old, however local drivers peddling freight for a major LTL company like my self at ABF. We are at 30 am hour. FedEx, saia, OD, R&L you name it we are all about there 28-35 bucks and hour. Benefits, Retirement overtime is where the bigger difference lies.

I'm planning to get my CDL in spring. Been doing a lot of research. This video helped me to decide what I should get into. I will likely do regional starting out and move to long haul a few years afterwards. Thanks for the video!

In my case I would like to do OTR. Because it gets me that more experience that I need. Especially when I'm at truck stops. I see most of company drivers reviews and most of it is the home part. I understand that someone wants to be with family and be home all the time. Then do local, but there might be cases were some companies don't have that. In my first year of trucking I would like to get that experience. Great video.

Greetings from INDIA.....! Thanks Bro.... Now I know where to start..... Best Wishes

Thanks for the video. I’m trying to get into the industry and have young children so I’ll try for local.

Thank you Nice and informative session

Nice to the point video 👍🏼🇯🇲

I’ve done local and currently dedicated , I like the home time with city driving however I was still working the 70 hr clock and a lot of physical work on top of driving! Dedicated is nice cause I’m home on various days but still don’t dig the 36 hrs off I miss 2 days off

Yeah you're home every night as a local but you work all day then as soon as you get home you got to go straight to sleep and your 10 break starts from the time you get out of that truck not what time you get home so if it takes an hour to get home now you're at a 9 hour break really 8 cause you have to drive back to work do this 6 days a week and your weekends are basically catching up on your sleep

Thank you 🙏 for sharing

Excellent information

This was great. Ty

That was an amazing video

Very helpful thank u 🙏

The local companies in my area pay $27/hr to start and pay goes up into the mid $30/hr range. I live in a high cost of living area though. I actually planned on doing LTL like that but decided to go OTR because it gives me way more options on where I can live. The pay isn’t quite as good but if I can live in an area with 50% lower cost of living, I’m still coming out way ahead.

Good information thank you

I got in with UPS. started off local either doing city runs or going 4-5 hours out and coming back same day. and after a year I started covering OTR routes which is way easier and more money. and routes can be anywhere from 3500k miles to 6200k miles. but it's team driving.

I started OTR because I was under the impression most local companies wanted you to have experience! The company I’m at now, they hire after 3-6 months! I’m glad I got my OTR experience though.

Thanks for the information. I’m an CDL student and I live right by a prime terminal, I’m thinking about doing some regional driving for them. Hopefully they have local bc I would love to be home.

Just got my CDL, going to grind on regional home weekly for a little bit hopefully a good gig home a couple times a week or even local job opens up

He didn't mention city running at night, which in my opinion, is the best option. Much less traffic, much less sitting and waiting. I deliver to Lowe's Home Improvement stores in SE Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Usually two stores a night. Very rare that I sit and wait, and when I do, I tell the store, they have 30 minutes to finish up the trailer or I'm taking the load back to the DC. That usually lights the fire and gets me rolling again. One night, I sat 90 minutes and wound up in violation when I tried to make my second run for the night. I told my company, never again will that happen. They agreed. .61cpm, average 450-540 miles a night, home everyday, off weekends. It's the best gig I've ever had. But, there's a better opportunity and I'm looking to level up soon.

Mega carriers do contracted out dedicated runs... for the non over-the-road carriers... like Walmart and Target!

After 17 years OTR I’m running local. 30.00 an hour and .40 a km. Everything is paid. 100% paid medical and 500 a month RSP contribution. Point you give away a lot of free work OTR.

Now being done all of the above, i pick OTR trucking. It's simply anywhere i want to go for the right $ .

I start my career this month September 27th. I picked regional which will be the central 24 states and home weekends. First, I chose dedicated but it would have been slip Seat and I would rather have my own truck and not have to keep taking my things out every 5 days. I love to drive and explore so regional fits perfectly

Im a rookie driver and do P&D. Because I live in a rural area the days are not very long. I start at 8am and normally done by 4:30pm. Definitely home for supper with weekends off. I can be a bit physically demanding because a lot of small businesses don't have dedicated dock workers were im at. I love the challenge of maneuvering in all the small places. I live in rual Nova Scotia east coast of Canada. Heres whats funny all the trucks have sleepers so P&D with a sleeper cab may not be a normal thing im unsure.

thanks a lot!

I start CDL school tomorrow. I got my permit (CLP) with all the endorsements. As a single man with a service dog. I am going long-haul OTR with no homebase for a year. It’s best for me to stack up & explore. 💎

Thank you 😊

Thank you

I drive for Coca-Cola! I'm home every night, usually summer time im working 55-60hr week, winter 40-50hr week, I been w tha company close to 11yrs now

I got my CDL 7yrs ago! I was under the impression that to drive local you needed a year or two experience! I drove for Covenant & Big M for almost 2 1/2yrs! If I knew what I would’ve been doing Line Haul a long time ago!

I started off local hualing logs and did that for a few years with overtime and weekends off. then I went to OTR for 6 months and that was enough for me. I'd call up a friend who's going bass fishing after work and I'm sitting at a TA in cousin fuck Alabama. Had to go back to locall, Missed my weekends.

I started OTR in 2017 with covenant transport. I stayed till they lowballed me and I left to go local. didnt like it so went back otr for an owner operator, a yr into it I got a regional account with Bridgestone tires. with regional, I'm still otr but I'm home every weekend. much less stressful.

I'm starting dedicated but will be going local asap

I wanna be a OTR. Great video! Thx!

Thanks

Back in 96 I started OTR but had to go local because I had small children and needed to be home. Now that my kids are grown up and on their own I'm OTR dedicated Colorado to North Carolina. If you have a family go local. And stay away from mail contractors. Mail contractors crap on their drivers and force crap insurance on drivers

OTR or over the road is 48 States and Canada... Regional driving is a specific region like 11 Western States Etc... Regional driving is exactly the same as over-the-road driving except that they stay pretty much in their region!

I am new in the industry. I started as a otr driver. I realized quickly I don't like the hastle of city driving. I like the ease of the open road.

I recently got my cdl February 24th. I started working March 8th with a fedex contractor at 1200 weekly Monday through friday. 1500 if you work 6 days 8 hour shifts. Local work here in DFW

ive done otr and now do regional and if u like otr but want regular weekly home than u prolly like regional for me i like going on the road and i like going home too but regional imo is a more intense more stressful than otr with otr lots of days all u do is drive all day and figure out where to stop for a break , regional i have 2-4 stops a day

How the best of both worlds as a New Guy Drive to California from Toronto and back. It’s lots of miles good money in your home on the weekends

Thank you for the info. I want to get my CDL in August this year. My 18 year old is in treatment due to cancer, so I have to take a local job, to stay close and check on him. He’s in remission but will continue treatment. Later on I want to do either regional or OTR.

Thank you sir

What an amazing message n channel!!! Bravo👏👏Thank u so much for the excellent presentation of valuable information🙂💚

I'm local now. Paid my or dues lol. But I remember I got more rest running regional than local. Some local companies with run the hell out you...lol

I am 100 hours into a 150 hour CDL-A course and once compleated I will have my CDL-A w/ N and T endorcements. At present I have 5 job offers ranging from 20-26 per hour. The work is mostly local dedicated water truck runs in either tankers or triaxel tankers. OTR offers are about 55-60 cents per mile. I dont know alot but I do know this is already better than nearly everything else in the area. I would have to drive about 90 minutes to get to a job that pays about 20 per hour. The company I have mentally selected is paying 24.50 per hour plus day one benefits, full pay training, boot and clothing allowance and they will launder all my clothes. and the terminal is about 5 minutes from my house 5 12 hour days a week plus all the overtime that my hours of service will allow thats nearly 2100 gross if i max out my hours of service, after a year of employment they will reinburse my schooling cost. This all seems like a pretty sweet deal given where I live I suppose we will see.