I've been going over the posts on this board for the past few days now, and one of the things that I've gleaned therefrom is that there seems to a kind of aversion / reluctance to drive in the NE states. Also, quite a few companies offer a cpm premium for NE and NYC miles ? Can anyone please let me know why this is so ? As a driver based in Pittsburgh PA, can I opt for not driving NE lanes, in preference to the midwest, south & southeast ?

 

I've never been up in that part of the country,but I know most here,probably have. I have heard horror stories about NY,and the northeast all my life. I'm just gonna walk out on a limb here. I'd imagine that the northeast part of the country is pretty conjested. The areas are so highly populated,it's hard to get trucks in,and out,and about. I hear the DOT fellers are more harder to deal with in that region. Youre not exactly driving in open country in the northeast,either. That would be my opinion. Like I said,I have never been up there,so I may be totally off here. :? It drives me nuts just driving in Dallas(Ft Worth isnt as bad),I can just imagine what it would be like up in the great northeast :P

 

There are several reasons why so many drivers have an aversion to driving in NYC and the Northeast. The first thing is the tolls. Whether the company pays them or not, it can be a hassle. Some of the states have no idling laws. New York and New Jersey don't want trucks to idle so drivers can be comfortable. They can and do write tickets for idling your truck for more than about 5 minutes except with extremely cold or very hot temperatures. From a safety point of view, it doesn't make any sense. The 5 burrows of New York have trailer restrictions for 53' trailers. They only enforce these laws intermittently. It can be a bit of a challenge to get around with a 18 wheeler, traffic is very congested in and around NYC. Parking and truck stops are very limited for big trucks. They are few and far between in the Northeast. In general, the cost of doing business in high for the return on rates. Freight is cheap and scarce. Many of us either stay away or get a good enough rate going in that we can afford to deadhead out where we can get a decent paying load. They don't want 18 wheelers in the Northeast and make it difficult to do business. New Jersey has started hassling owner operators who aren't paying a business tax on loads originating or ending in their state. Some have reported that their trucks have been impounded by the state if the tax hasn't been paid. They apparently want this tax whether you base in New Jersey or not. Just another scam from New Jersey. :twisted:

 

The NE is just a total headache. Idle laws, tolls, no place to park and traffic. To many roads you can not drive on because they are a parkway or bridge heights

 

I dont mind driving around the NE but I willnot go into NYC. Just too much going on there for me. Hartford or Boston, no problem.

 

if you must take a NE load, try to avoid going above I90 or Ct and MA unless you an get a load out of there pre-planned. If not, you might sit for a while depending on the carrier. Dont volunteer to go to the burroughs of NYC and If you have to go anywhere close to NYC, do so at night to avoid traffic.

 

I go into NYC every week, by myself, ever since my husband died in September. Yeah, it is a pain the a$$, traffic is bad, but I have to say, the people I deal with are some of the nicest you will ever meet.

Before his passing, my husband was the one who drove there, I was too scared and intimidated, but as it turned out, it ain't as bad as I always thought it would be.

Don't let anyone scare you to death. It is no walk in the park, but neither is Chicago or LA.

 

YES! Check with the company that you would like to drive for and ask them if they have midwest regional. Off hand I draw a blank on some but i have seen some advertise for it. National Freight is one of them if you have six months experience BUT they may still send you a NE load once in a while.

 

I went to NYC quite a few times when I drove for Stevens. Most drops weren't too bad, especially if they were headed for the Hunts Point area or the meat market on 1st Ave in Brooklyn. It was the drops in the Gamesvort St/Little West 12th st area of Manhattan that were the real pains in the ass.

 

The more drivers that want to stay away from here, the more the freight will pay me going in to here so YIPPEEEE!! Plus when I ran OTR TMC gave me $100 "borough pay" for Long Island or the 5 boroughs trips. I've lived in NYC all my life and LOVE driving here so much I took a dedicated route that runs me throughout New Jersey and New York DAILY.
BRING IT ON!!!!