Grossing $1000+ per week, realistic?

[townie388]

I understand the first couple years will be rough on the family....however is there hope for DH to gross over $1000 per week with experience? If so, how much experience? This is a huge decision for us to make for our family - he drives local right now but it's seasonal - I wouldn't want him to go OTR if it works out to be the same he makes now. I understand it's different per driver/company/attitude/relationships, etc......but in general, how many actually go over $1K?

[BigWheels]

Great question. Yes there's hope. I'll let more seasoned veterans comment on how soon an experienced driver can regularily pull in $1K/week as well as guestimates on percentages. The answer will depend largely on the lanes your husband is near and which companies are traveling those lanes.

A question for you: do you live in an area where local driving jobs are difficult to obtain? OTR is a lot tougher on the family than the family realizes--especially after Dad/Hubby is gone for 7-15 days at a crack, back for 1 1/2, out for 7-15 days, back for 2, etc.

[Uturn2001]

In order to gross 1000 per week you would need to run 2500 per week at 40 cpm.

If you get on with the right company it is possible to average that after a year or two of OTR experience. Now some weeks he might gross 1200 and others 800, but over the course of a year it is possible to make close to 50 k.

Now keep in mind too that with the added costs of going OTR that 1000 gross is probably equal to a 800 gross per week local.

[Fourcats]

We were making that much running Steelcase out of Grand Rapids, MI. {24% of $2.20 per mile to the West Coast } I don't know if you can find anything that good any more.

[townie388]

A question for you: do you live in an area where local driving jobs are difficult to obtain? OTR is a lot tougher on the family than the family realizes--especially after Dad/Hubby is gone for 7-15 days at a crack, back for 1 1/2, out for 7-15 days, back for 2, etc.

We're in CT. I hope this doesn't come out wrong, but we think being apart will make us stronger? "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" or whatever that quote is LOL! Our household might run a little smoother if he's out on the road.

[BigWheels]

We're in CT....

What type of area -- Urban? Suburban? Rural? Hopefully there will be some drivers on this board who live in that general area who could provide some advice.

...I hope this doesn't come out wrong, but we think being apart will make us stronger? "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" or whatever that quote is LOL! Our household might run a little smoother if he's out on the road.

Doesn't come out wrong at all. Sometimes along life's journeys, you will be stronger by being apart; sometimes you won't. Sounds like you both agree that it may be good for an OTR adventure for hubby at this point in your lives.

I recall when I was going OTR, I talked to my wife a lot more than my previous job where I was burnt out from working a 60-70 hrs/wk corporate job. She really enjoyed our talks over the phone. That being said, after a while, it was tough on her (she took on all the parenting responsibilities) and tough especially on the kids ("When is daddy coming home?) to have me gone as much as I was.

I wish you both the best as you continue to brainstorm for the future!

[Skywalker]

If he can get on with someone like Superior Carriers, that has a terminal up in Springfield, MA or Carry Transit... he will stand a good chance of averaging about $1k a week. Both companies are tanker. Superior is chemical, Carry is food grade, and both are part of Superior Bulk Logistics.

If he's interested, he should look at Cyanide's "Tanker Info for y'all" here on this site.

Expecting $1k a week with a dry van company could be considered "optimistic". Been there and done that. With van companies making that kind of money requires long periods of time on the road, for the most part.

Tanker yankers, especially Chemical tanker drivers make better money, because our pay is not "all about miles". We get paid for so many things that others don't get paid for. He should check it out. I drive for Superior, as does Cyanide.... we get 40 cpm loaded, on practical miles, and much more.

[Aligator]

I started right out at about 1100/wk. Made 56K first year.
But it's hard to get on with my company as a newbie. Their ad says they require 2 years experience, but they hired me.

Hint: Look deeper than just CPM. We get paid 35.5 CPM but I made over 40 with all the add ons - they count!
http://www.action-transport.com/

[kips41]

I am OTR for KLLM out of Jackson,MS. Been with them since '93 and therefore at top pay and at the top of the food chain as far as getting pretty good loads most of the time. Making 1k, a guy can do after the first year on a regular basis if with a good company.

I stay out 4-6 weeks, here is my last three weeks on pay

this week 1,482.00
last week 1,313.00
3rd week 1,175.00

[ben45750]

I have had my CDL 2 years this last March, I make 1000+ weekly. It's a union LTL job so layoffs are common in the winter months till I gain seniority. I was hired last September so I'm at the bottom of the pay scale.

Here's last months bank statement to see what my net for the month was:



Before trucking I averaged $35k a year, so getting into trucking has been a good thing for me. So it is very possible to make $1000 a week starting out in trucking.

[terrylamar]

I drive for TMC, I am grossing over $1,000.00 per week(average), not after a couple of years or many months, but after the first month. I am an inexperienced driver. Anyone can do it with TMC.

[Ian Williams]

At my barn of the almost all of the line drivers earn 1K+ per week. Thats working 50-65hrs in 5 days.

They earn every freaking cent in the winter when they have to chain.

A city driver at top scale will gross 1K with about 46hrs of work.

[BigWheels]

I have had my CDL 2 years this last March, I make 1000+ weekly. It's a union LTL job so layoffs are common in the winter months till I gain seniority. I was hired last September so I'm at the bottom of the pay scale.

Here's last months bank statement to see what my net for the month was:



Before trucking I averaged $35k a year, so getting into trucking has been a good thing for me. So it is very possible to make $1000 a week starting out in trucking.

Umm...Ben. Your withdrawls were bigger than you deposit for a total balance of minus $84.78. :shock:

Looks like you'll have to start driving nights too to get some postive cash flow going! :P

[Ridge Runner]

To gross $1000.00/ week may not be the norm, but it is do-able. My first "job" after finishing training paid a little over 1k / week on a team run. Four days out and three home. When that ended ( long story ) I stayed with the same O/O as a solo. Made a little more as a solo but I was out longer ( 6 to 8 days out and 2 to 3 at home ). Now I drive local and average just under that amount, but when you figure the expense of being OTR ( not to mention being home EVERY night ) I come out a little better. My advice is to do what you are doing now; RESEARCH!!! Then PLAN!!

[jeremyh]

I haul fuel and make just around $1200-$1300 a week CDN so I don't know what that is converted to American funds. It pays the bills!

[GoldiesPlating]

Many flatbed companies will get you over $1000.00/week fairly easily. When I ran OTR w/TMC it wasn't hard to do at all. Drivers at TMC average $55,000.00/ year. New guys range from $45,000.00 - $60,000 first year. If you live outside their orange hiring area you'll get home every OTHER weekend. If you live INSIDE the orange line you'll get home every weekend.

[Jackrabbit379]

Our delivery drivers make $1,000 a week on a good week.

[spencerian]

I make an average of $1k per week. Only 3 months experience.

[Evinrude]

Many flatbed companies will get you over $1000.00/week fairly easily. When I ran OTR w/TMC it wasn't hard to do at all. Drivers at TMC average $55,000.00/ year. New guys range from $45,000.00 - $60,000 first year. If you live outside their orange hiring area you'll get home every OTHER weekend. If you live INSIDE the orange line you'll get home every weekend.

Time is money. How many hours hours a week are we talkin? 38 -40?

[GMAN]

You will need to work much more than 38-40 hours per week if you drive a truck. We can legally work 70 hours/week. This is not a 9-5 job with regular work hours. Each day can be different. There are days in which you will have more of a routine, but for the most part, each day will be different.