Great way to come off hometime

[Malaki86]

Just got off the phone with my dispatch. I'm preplanned for a load that picks up tomorrow when I come off of my hometime. It picks up in Parkersburg, WV (about 90 miles deadhead) and delivers in Ontario, CA. So, a nice 2,400+ mile run out of the gate. Plus, the load is HazMat, so it pays me an extra 3cpm. I've hauled from this location before.

I haven't been to the truck to see the routing, but guessing they'll send me across I-40. Anything special I need to know about I-40 west of Flagstaff? That's the furthest I've been west on 40. The only other time I went into CA was on I-10 out of Pheonix.

[GMAN]

Just got off the phone with my dispatch. I'm preplanned for a load that picks up tomorrow when I come off of my home time. It picks up in Parkersburg, WV (about 90 miles deadhead) and delivers in Ontario, CA. So, a nice 2,400+ mile run out of the gate. Plus, the load is HazMat, so it pays me an extra 3cpm. I've hauled from this location before.

I haven't been to the truck to see the routing, but guessing they'll send me across I-40. Anything special I need to know about I-40 west of Flagstaff? That's the furthest I've been west on 40. The only other time I went into CA was on I-10 out of Phoenix.

Other than a couple of steep grades, there isn't much that you need to worry about. When you get to Barstow go south on I-15 down to I-10. Watch your speed when you get to California. As long as you keep it around 60-62 mph, you should not have a problem. Stay out of the left lane. It is usually good to have your truck fairly clean. Some wash them in Kingman before crossing the state line. Make sure of your kingpin setting on your trailer before entering California. They are real sticklers on their kingpin law. Just do a good pre trip. As long as everything is working you should not have any problems. I have always been treated well in California, some have had problems.

[GMAN]

As far as routing, I would usually take I-70 to I-71 to I-65 to I-40. You could be routed I-70 to I-44 to I-40. I don't like to pay tolls and I-44 is a toll road. I don't remember the mileage, but there should not be much difference in the miles.

[Malaki86]

70/71/65/40/15 is what my gps program has it routed as. Just have to go to the truck to see if theirs matches.

Since I'll be on US-50 in Parkersburg, I'll probably take US-50/OH-32 across to Cincinnati, then pick up 71 from there. 4 Lane the whole way across now.

[Malaki86]

Guess they don't mind the tolls. They're running me down 44.

[Mr. Ford95]

I'll probably take US-50/OH-32 across to Cincinnati, then pick up 71 from there. 4 Lane the whole way across now.

Dunno about 50 but 32 is such a boring ride into Cincy. I usually get on where US 23 crosses it and run 32 into Cincy when I take the wife home. It's only an hour from there to 71 for me but it's a long hour. Just an FYI if you did not already know it, the restroom on 32 just before you get to Mt. Orab is OOS for a while.

[ronjon619]

West of Flag is easy money. Victorville down to Ontario(Cajon Pass) will be a piece of cake depending on the fog. Remember right 2 lanes and 35MPH down that hill into the scale there.

[golfhobo]

Gman dismissed them as "a couple of steep grades." I know there are steeper ones, been down them too, but these should not be taken lightly. The Speed limit is 70 at times and 65 on the steeper parts. You MUST be in the proper gear to hold your LOAD back to a speed of 65 if you don't want to burn your brakes... and there are a couple of curves that will pucker you up IF you are in the WRONG gear.

Now.... if you don't want to try all of this for your first time with a BIG BRIGHT ball of flame in your eyes..... plan your "attack" on Cali (or Kingman) at sometime OTHER than sunset (WEST COAST TIME!) They built the roads to put the sun in your eyes the maximum time!

There's a Pilot just west of Flag at the 185(?) if you need to kill some time, or a rest stop up there before the descent. Kingman has some good truckstops, and the weather should be warm(er) and dry. I prefer the Petro at the 66... first one you come to. It has a large parking lot, good food and good showers. But the "J" and the T/A aren't bad, either.

Fuel up with cheaper fuel, check your kingpin, know your route all the way to the drop so you don't have to look at a map again, then "Go West young man!" Seriously, if you've never been into Cali on I-40, it is completely different than coming in on 10! Take your time to look at the landscape... it is amazing in a certain way.

Use that C.B. to know where the bears are and whether they care today or not... and try not to freak out at the view of the L.A. valley from THAT direction, instead of "merging" into it from the elevation of I-10. [I prefer to do that LATE at night, arriving just a few hours before delivery. 7 - 8 hours, IIRC, from Kingman to deep in L.A.

Ah heck.... just move over and let ME drive it!

Sorry.... I just really MISS that drive!

Nice run! ...... Enjoy!

[Malaki86]

My delivery is about 5 minutes south of the T/A's in Ontario, so I'll probably run in there the day before, get fuel and park for the night. At least that way, I'll have a full set of hours available to get me back out immediately after. It's still early to know, but I'm figuring on getting into Ontario in the range of 4-5 Eastern time, but you never know what all will come up on a 5 day run.

Good advice everyone, and I appreciate it. The only time I'd been there before was over New Years. The scales weren't even open. My truck just went through a wash on my way home, so it'll have to do. Celadon won't pay for a truckwash on the road - PERIOD. I'll get my load/kingpins Cali legal before I leave the area where I load. There's a scale about 5-10 miles from where I load. As for the fuel, I figured they would have me fuel in Kingman before crossing into the country of Cali. Not so - they have me fueling around Flagstaff, if I remember correctly. That's ok though - it's their dime and I'll probably need fuel close to Ontario just to get back out, so they can arrange a fuel stop for me at one of the T/A's to wipe out the parking fee.

[Malaki86]

Quick question: Can trucks get over to the meteor crater in Winslow?

I'll be going right past it and I love the natural history stuff. I know that it's not far off of I-40 in Winslow, but don't want to try to drive over to it if, well, it can't be done.

[Orangetxguy]

Quick question: Can trucks get over to the meteor crater in Winslow?

I'll be going right past it and I love the natural history stuff. I know that it's not far off of I-40 in Winslow, but don't want to try to drive over to it if, well, it can't be done.

Yes.

You are going to have a couple grades to hump over in New Mexico. Dropping into Albuquerque will be the longest, and most congested. If your wife likes Indian jewelry, your going to have plenty of places to browse. The biggest grade you really have to worry about, is the drop off Cajon into the basin. That is where I see the majority of trucks get themselves into trouble. You will get a ticket at the bottom if your brakes are smoking. Heck.....If YOU smoke....you just might get a ticket too.

[Bigmon]

My delivery is about 5 minutes south of the T/A's in Ontario, so I'll probably run in there the day before, get fuel and park for the night. .

Be ready to see some freaky people.

[Southron]

Just got off the phone with my dispatch. I'm preplanned for a load that picks up tomorrow when I come off of my hometime. It picks up in Parkersburg, WV (about 90 miles deadhead) and delivers in Ontario, CA. So, a nice 2,400+ mile run out of the gate. Plus, the load is HazMat, so it pays me an extra 3cpm. I've hauled from this location before.

I haven't been to the truck to see the routing, but guessing they'll send me across I-40. Anything special I need to know about I-40 west of Flagstaff? That's the furthest I've been west on 40. The only other time I went into CA was on I-10 out of Pheonix.

To add on to what G-Man said, also make sure your tandems are no further back than the 5th hole for CA. I always slide mine all the way forward.

[Malaki86]

I'm scaled out at 40' from kingpin to center of the rear axle, with my weights on both tandems under 29k, so I'm good there.

[golfhobo]

Malaki86 said:

My delivery is about 5 minutes south of the T/A's in Ontario, so I'll probably run in there the day before, get fuel and park for the night. At least that way, I'll have a full set of hours available to get me back out immediately after. It's still early to know, but I'm figuring on getting into Ontario in the range of 4-5 Eastern time, but you never know what all will come up on a 5 day run.

If you're arriving at 1-3 p.m. local.... is it possible to just unload and get out of there?

As for the fuel, I figured they would have me fuel in Kingman before crossing into the country of Cali. Not so - they have me fueling around Flagstaff, if I remember correctly. That's ok though - it's their dime and I'll probably need fuel close to Ontario just to get back out,

How big are your tanks? It's only about 900 miles from Flag to Ontario and BACK!

so they can arrange a fuel stop for me at one of the T/A's to wipe out the parking fee.

Well, fuel in CA should be really high right now. The parking is only $12 for 24 hours. Sometimes that's cheaper than the difference in fuel prices. However... you only need to get 50 gals there to get the free parking AND a free shower. You might see if they'll let you do that!

Oh.... and you DO KNOW to stay at the T/A EAST don't you??

Where do they have you fueling in Flag? The Sinclair(?) at the Little America would be good because that ALSO earns you a free shower, and if you've never experienced their "marble walled, double sink" showers.... well..... you should try to treat yourself to one!

Leaving Flag in the early morning after a good shower, you won't need to worry about the sun, of course.

[Malaki86]

I was wrong about them fueling me in Flagstaff. I am planning on staying the night at Little America, but my last fuel stop is in Tucumari, NM at the J. So, by the time I get to Ontario, I'll be on fumes. I hate their stupid fuel routing and thinking these trucks will do 1,200 miles on 240 gallons across mountains with 35k in the box. Oh well, it's their stupid computers that decide it. Of course, if it looks like I won't have enough, or be cutting it too short, i'll have to call in for a new fuel routing.

As for a great shower, my wife and I stopped at a Flying J in Tennessee (I think). This J used to be a Petro. Anyways, we usually shower together and sometimes it's a struggle for space. Not this time. This shower was HUGE. The shower was probably 6ftx6ft with dual showerheads (and controls). Plus dual sinks. It also actually had great water pressure and hot water. We didn't want to leave.

[Malaki86]

Yes.

You are going to have a couple grades to hump over in New Mexico. Dropping into Albuquerque will be the longest, and most congested. If your wife likes Indian jewelry, your going to have plenty of places to browse. The biggest grade you really have to worry about, is the drop off Cajon into the basin. That is where I see the majority of trucks get themselves into trouble. You will get a ticket at the bottom if your brakes are smoking. Heck.....If YOU smoke....you just might get a ticket too.

Have any suggestions on places to stop for the jewelry, preferrably close to the NM line or westward?

[Malaki86]

Glad I'm not going into Flagstaff tonight. They're calling for a foot of snow there. Sad part is that I'm sitting in Tucumcari and it's 60 now (it was 72 when I parked). Sitting here with the windows down and wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

[golfhobo]

Glad I'm not going into Flagstaff tonight. They're calling for a foot of snow there. Sad part is that I'm sitting in Tucumcari and it's 60 now (it was 72 when I parked). Sitting here with the windows down and wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

Was going to warn you about that! You may not be able to move TOMORROW, either! If your company wanted it delivered, they should send you southwest to I-10.

They MUST have a "yard" out there to make you go in on fumes! Are they stupid enough to have you fill completely up at the T/A in Ontario? You would STILL only need about 50 gals for the "freebies" and to get you out of Cali to cheaper fuel!

[Malaki86]

We have a drop yard there, but nothing more. It's not even our yard, but a shared yard.

As for the fuel, they'll probably tell me to get 50-100 gallons there. But, I've seen them things that are more idiotic.