Driving a truck is a great way to earn a living, and there are a lot of different ways to earn that living.
At Hardy Brothers, some of our drivers prefer driving alone, and these solo drivers handle our regional routes. Our driver-teams run our coast-to-coast routes.
Let’s take a look at the differences between driving solo vs. as a team.
Driver Shifts
By law, anyone driving a truck can only physically drive for 11 hours before being required to take a full 10-hour break. For solo drivers, that means they must pull off the road at the 11-hour mark to rest, eat, and sleep. After 10 more hours, they may continue their route. Most of our regional route drivers are typically out for 1-3 days on a single trip, and they are expected to run 2 to 3 trips per week, depending of course on the lanes they run.
As for TEAM drivers, each driver takes an 11-hour driving shift. After those 11 hours have passed, you are required to take a 10-hour break. You will switch with your team partner so that you can rest, eat, and sleep. Except for food, restroom and fuel stops, the wheels on the truck are turning continually until the delivery destination is safely reached. This is how our drivers get from Siloam, NC to California and back in as little as four days.
Driver Comfort
Whether driving solo or as a team, our late model Kenworth trucks are designed with driver comfort in mind! The driving seats are incredibly comfortable. In the cab area behind the driver’s seats, our trucks are equipped with a small refrigerator, and there is plenty of space for a microwave and a coffee pot. Each cab is also equipped with a double-sized mattress bunk bed. It is an efficient and comfortable home away from home. Drivers are welcome to add their own creature comforts, like TV’s, gaming consoles, hand weights or a yoga mat, or whatever it is that makes them feel most comfortable on their journey. That even includes pets!
Driver Pay
Driver pay is simply based off the miles driven. Team drivers running coast-to-coast typically cover more miles than solo drivers running local or regional routes, resulting in higher total pay. For example, a team running from Siloam, NC to Salinas, CA and back will log significantly more miles (approximately 5,300 miles) than a solo driver running regional routes such as Siloam, NC to Pennsylvania and back (approximately 908 Miles). Because of the additional milage, the coast-to-coast team’s run results in higher total pay.
*Please note, Team drivers do get paid for the total miles run on the ENTIRE trip, not just the miles they have physically driven.
Driving Teams vs Solo
There is surely a difference between team driving and solo driving, both rewarding in their own respects!
Team driving offers the camaraderie of having a partner on the road and the reassurance that someone always has your back. It also allows for sharing of the responsibilities. For friends, spouses, or even family members it can be a great way to spend time together while earning a living. One of the greatest privileges of long-haul trucking is having the gift of exploring parts of the country you might not otherwise have experienced. Plus, IT’S FUN! After 4-5 days on the road, the team can head home for a few days of downtime, or they can head back out on another run.
Solo driving regional routes is optimal for those who value their independence and prefer to work alone. You set your own pace, manage the rhythm that you work best to and take pride in your individual performance.
*If you are interested in long-haul team driving but do not have a partner in mind, don’t worry, we are here to help! At Hardy Brothers, we do our best to match like-minded drivers to create teams that will work well together. We will take the time to listen and understand your preferences and personality to help find the right partner to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable, and rewarding experience on the road.