When you’re learning the ins and outs of driving trucks for a living, there’s a lot of jargon you need to keep straight. Understanding the terminology is vital to building the career you want behind the wheel. Line haul vs. long haul: what do these terms mean, and how can they help you determine what kind of job you want?
Comparing Line Haul and Long Haul Trucking
Whether you’re content driving for a company or working towards purchasing a truck of your own, you’ve probably already realized that there’s a lot to learn when it comes to driving a truck. One of the most critical areas to explore is the different types of jobs you may be hired to do. Line haul vs. long haul: how do you know which one is right for you?
When you imagine a truck driver, you might picture someone hauling heavy freight on a week-long cross-country trip. While it’s true that some truck deliveries look like this, that’s not the only way that trucks keep goods and services moving. There are two types of freight carriers that truck drivers should be familiar with:
- A long-haul freight carrier transports large goods over a significant distance, typically 250 miles or more. These are multi-day trips involving freeway, overpass travel, and sometimes international travel to Canada or Mexico. A long-haul ride typically does not involve other vehicles or links in the distribution chain during delivery.
- A line-haul freight carrier transports large goods over a much shorter distance. Goods are loaded onto the truck at the beginning of the day and typically delivered by the end of the day. Unlike long-haul driving, this type of delivery is usually a link in a distribution chain that includes other vehicles before the delivery reaches its destination.
Driving Line Haul vs. Long Haul
Because there are so many different delivery needs in the United States every day, truck drivers need to be able to make all kinds of journeys to deliver goods in a variety of ways. Both long-haul drivers and line-haul drivers fill a vital role in our transportation system. But what kind of job is right for you? There are some factors every driver will want to consider when deciding between line-haul jobs and long-haul jobs:
- Line-haul trips are shorter than long-haul trips and typically don’t involve overnight stays or interstate travel. Line-haul trips could be a better fit if you don’t want to be away from home consistently.
- Because long-haul trips do involve a lot of work for the driver, they tend to pay better. Long-haul trips could help you build up your bankroll if you’re trying to make money more quickly.
- Long-haul drivers are subject to more oversight than line-haul drivers because of highway safety regulations; however, both types of drivers should expect to follow safety guidelines and legislation in their work.
- Line-haul driving is considered safer than long-haul driving by some trucking experts because it involves shorter distances and less driver fatigue.
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Line haul vs. long haul: which one is right for you? Line-haul deliveries might be a good fit if you’re looking to drive shorter distances and have a shorter work day. If you’re drawn to the call of a payday on the open road, long-haul deliveries might be right for you.
Are you interested in a competitive lease-purchase truck program at a great company? Be sure to check out BLC Transportation. Our driver-friendly culture is an ideal fit for entrepreneurial types. We have steady routes that will keep you rolling and offer lots of great incentives, including a free lease payment after one year of service. Contact BLC Transportation today to learn more.