There’s a reason so many truck drivers want local runs. They allow you to stay close to home and spend more time with family. At first glance, local looks like every driver’s perfect job.
The reality, of course, is a little more nuanced. Yes, local drivers enjoy some pretty great perks. They also, however, have to deal with packed days, constant interaction, and often for less money than on regional runs. For drivers who like peace, quiet and more independence, local quickly becomes very frustrating.
We recently took a look at the positives and negatives of regional driving. Now, let’s take a look at the upside and downside of local runs as well. As we’ve said before: what sounds like a huge plus to you might sound horrible to another driver. Whether local driving really is the perfect job is entirely up to you.
The Positives of Local
- More home time. There’s no denying this is the biggest perk of all for local drivers. Many drivers enjoy an almost “normal” 8 or 12-hour schedule, and get to sleep in their own bed at the end of every shift. Local means more time with loved ones. Which brings us to our next point…
- Better for drivers with young families. Every parent wants to be present for their children’s biggest milestones. Truck drivers are no exception. Local drivers are more likely to be home for their child’s recital, ballgame, or just to help with their science project. It’s another reason why local driving can be preferable to regional.
- Routine is often set in stone. While some local drivers get a mixed bag each week, many know what to expect from their daily routine. Local drivers often have the same runs, for the same clients, and arrive back at terminal the same time each day. For drivers who value stability, this is definitely a bonus.
- More interaction with actual people. Shorter local runs mean drivers are in frequent communication with other people – dispatch, materials handlers, and clients. It certainly keeps things from becoming too lonely while you’re hauling. If you’re a driver that thrives on human contact, it’s much more preferable than spending hour after hour alone in their truck.
The Negatives of Local
- Pay is often lower. The trade-off for a better work-life balance? Local drivers often don’t earn as much as regional drivers do. Pay scales can vary widely from carrier to carrier, but on the whole, local runs won’t earn drivers the same paycheck as regional. That’s why many new drivers go regional when they’re first starting out, despite its drawbacks.
- Your routine seldom changes. Again, what sounds great to one driver will sound horrible to another. An unchanging daily routine is one of them. Set-in-stone routines and constant interaction with dispatch can be frustrating for some drivers.
- It can be difficult to get a job in local. Despite its drawbacks, local runs are highly-sought by drivers. Drivers who find a unicorn of a local job tend to stick with it for the long haul, no pun intended. This means there’s always heavy competition for local runs. It’s often easier to secure an OTR run instead, especially for drivers with little experience.
- Severe weather can leave your runs suspended for days. It’s true that local drivers usually don’t have to worry about fighting dangerous weather, and on remote highways hundreds of miles from home. The downside, though, is bad weather can leave local runs grounded until the weather – or more likely, its aftermath – is cleared away. It’s definitely not good for a driver’s paycheck.
Yes, local and regional driving sound perfect on paper. In real life, they’re both still great options, but with downsides that are often overlooked. Tight schedules, multiple conversations with dispatch, and the likelihood of lower pay can make local runs seem much less appealing.
If that’s something you can live with, though, then local/regional might be for you. Here at Truline, we have local, regional and OTR waiting for drivers like you. Want to drive for a company that’s been certified as a TCA Elite Fleet? Take a look at our current opportunities, and start hauling for us today.
