[Super 8]

This is GREAT advice! Thank you! This is the kind of info I'm looking for.

Originally Posted by Crackaces

I think there are 4 good reasons not to drive much over 4 hours.

1. Stuff happens to the truck. Somethings if caught early do not fulminate into disasters. One thing about a truck .. lots of stuff that can be very inconvenient when broken are vulnerable The springs supporting air lines, hydraulic lines, tires, etc. Taking a couple of minutes to look might save an hour or two one day.

2. Speaking of tires -- catch a low tire and fill it -- you have averted disaster. Let the tire get hot and blow up, and all those hours running down the road will be for naught waiting for the tire man. Also when tires blow up they send parts and pieces flying that can affect the parts mentioned in bullet #1.

3. Health. Deep Vein Thrombosis and "Irregularity". It was first thought the DVT was a problem in older people then a 26 year old Australian died while sitting in coach for 23 hours. Threw a clot. Your veins unlike your arteries, which have the pressure from your heart to move blood, veins depend on your moving around to move blood. When you do not move your blood clots. This is very bad. Also your intestines have muscles and move stuff through a process called peristalsis. But being regular depends on moving around.

4. Fatigue. The drone of mile after mile is mentally fatiguing. Also, holding your body in the same position all the time is physically fatiguing. Eventually, it catches up.

So taking a break, checking out the truck, moving your legs and body solves lots of problems at very little expense.

I'm not driving yet, but I'm getting ready to start school soon. The two things that concern me most about trucking is diet and exercise.
I used to work for the Illinois Tollway, and I saw a lot of truck drivers. Truck drivers are some of the most unhealthy people. You can't live your life like that and expect it's not going to affect your health. I've got two little kids, and I plan on being around for them as long as I possibly can.


What kind of stuff are you checking on your truck?

How long are the breaks?

[Super 8]

Originally Posted by OverTheRoad

I used to roll for about 4 hours and then stop for an hour. Eat and then grab the MT Bike and pedal away. I would try and stop for food near a cool place to ride.

That sounds like a great way to get some exercise, and check out some places you've never been before. How long do you ride for?

I like to walk for exercise, and I'm hoping to find lots of cool places to walk during my travels.

[meanbone79]

I usually drive from Wilmington NC to Talledega Al nonstop.

[fierce750]

Originally Posted by Bush Bunny

.....then kids 11 hours straight.

[Martin.Lindquist]

Drive till I'm tired then rest...drive till I'm tired , then rest...seems like it goes on forever! The longest??? Can't say legally....Seems like a long time! Creative paperwork ya know!

[serbyy]

I agree with gman. Everyone is different. You find you can drive your full 11 a day. Other times you'll find it hard to cover 100 miles without needing to stop at least twice. You'll find your tolerance. Don't push your self. You feel even just a little fatigue, pull over, get out walk around. Your eating habits can and will play huge in your ability to drive for longer distances. Stay away from junk food as much as possible. Hard to do when most truck stops or stores carry nothing but soda and chips :roll: . Good Luck

The minimum amount of times I have stopped during an 11 hour trip is once.
It really depends on the day, sometimes I'm in a hurry, sometimes I'm not.
Quite often going North loaded I only stop 1-2 times depending on bathroom needs. ops:
Yesterday going South I stopped so many times I thought I'd never get there. I even stopped once and walked the highway for 40 minutes the weather was so nice.

Originally Posted by fierce750

What's wrong can't drive 11 hours straight yourself? :roll:

[OverTheRoad]

Originally Posted by Super 8

That sounds like a great way to get some exercise, and check out some places you've never been before. How long do you ride for?

I like to walk for exercise, and I'm hoping to find lots of cool places to walk during my travels.

You should be able to find places to walk. Anywhere I rode my bike I could walk. I got into a few places that I needed to get out of asap. If I would have been on foot it would have been a fast jog, maybe even a sprint.

Usually only 30 minutes, then I load the bike up and hit the road. Once I shut down for the day I might get out and ride again. I have ridden for hours before. (I got lost)


The longest I have ever driven was 755 miles in one day. In total with lunch and fuel it took me about 13.5 hours. I think I averaged about 57 mph. That was a few months ago when I bought my truck.

[BanditsCousin]

I try to stop every few hours. Yes, I am the guy that passes you, leaves your sight, then passes you again later 8)

Getting out of the truck is good for the back every few hours, I try to designate 10 minutes (not logged) then go back to hammering down.