Truck Driving in Louisiana

Highway sign for Louisiana

State Overview

There are over 5,490 trucking companies in Louisiana and the industry employs 22,950 drivers. The highest paid truck drivers earn $48,830 ($23.48 hourly). The highest paying areas are Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux with a Median Annual Salary of $42,520, New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner ($41,920), and Baton Rouge ($40,840).

Pros and Cons of Truck Driving in Louisiana

GOOD: 

  • You can find good paying tanker jobs especially with petroleum
  • Open roads, less aggressive drivers. Officers are more understanding
  • Traffic isn’t as bad as a lot of states. No mountains

BAD: 

  • Crossing the Mississippi bridge certain times of the day.
  • Slower speed limits, and slower drivers
  • Flooding can close down stretches of major highways

Truck Driving Tips for Louisiana

  • Plan for Crossing the I-10 bridge in Baton Rouge
  • Get your rest and limit nighttime driving as much as possible.
  • Always get out and look when backing
  • Ask for help when backing in dark areas
  • Take your time when dealing with tight spaces

Fellow Truck Drivers in Louisiana Say:

“Get as much sleep as you can”

Ronald H. – 45 years in the trucking industry

GOOD
Traffic isn’t as bad as a lot of states. No mountains to drive up and down.

BAD
The only really bad experiences I’ve had is crossing the Mississippi bridge on I-10 east and west In baton rouge Louisiana certain times of the day. Traveling east on it can take 30-40 minutes to cross if traffic gets backed up.

TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Get as much sleep as you can, because professional driving can be very stressful at times. Not only are you dealing with bad driving 4 wheelers, but bad driving truck drivers as well. Plan for Crossing the I-10 bridge in baton rouge, LA

 

“Always take your time”

Michelle E. – 1 year of experience

GOOD
Descent equipment

BAD
Finding Destinations

TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Don’t expect to be rolling in the money. Take your time always get out and look when backing and ask for help when backing in dark areas.

 

“Limit night driving, especially during hunting season”

Marcus B. – 24 years on the road

GOOD
Open roads, less aggressive drivers. People are more understanding that drivers take time. So they tend to be more patient with us. The troopers and local law enforcement are helpful, because they understand what we do and how demanding the job can be at times.

BAD
Slower speed limits, and slower drivers, but that’s both a good and bad thing depends on how you manage your H.O.S.

TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Just be Patient and respectful to fellow drivers and always be courteous to all. Get your rest and limit nighttime driving as much as possible. Especially during hunting seasons.