If you're looking for a job in the trucking industry, now is the best time to do so. According to the American Trucking Associations, the United States is experiencing a shortage of truck drivers. This means that there are plenty of trucking companies out there looking for qualified people to complete jobs.
However, trucking is not for everyone. As with any profession, trucking has its pros and cons. One of the reasons why drivers quit is the long time away from home. But in the past years, many drivers have taken on short-haul trucking jobs.
Curious to know whether driving a truck is for you? What are the differences between long-haul vs. short-haul trucking? In this article, we'll talk about the pros and cons of being a truck driver and why many drivers are switching to short-haul trucking.
The pros & cons of being a truck driver
Truck driving can be a rewarding profession whether you're a long or short-haul driver. But like many jobs out there, it also has its drawbacks. Below are some advantages and disadvantages of being a truck driver:
Pros:
- Easy entry - Being a truck driver doesn't require years of schooling. For those who want to get into the profession, the most important thing to have is a commercial driver's license (CDL). Before you can get one, you need to pass various requirements, which include a good driving record, good English comprehension, and excellent physical and mental health.
- Job security – Throughout the U.S. there is a high demand for drivers, regardless of long-haul vs. short-haul trucking. Truckers are in demand because there are tons of retail goods that need to be transported every day. Unlike in other industries, you can almost instantly get another trucking job immediately without being out of work for a long time.
- Independence - If you enjoy driving solo, long-haul driving can take you to different states in the country. If you prefer short-haul distances, you can still enjoy traveling and working solo. While there are strict rules to follow when it comes to road safety, you can work independently without the usual distractions of an office.
- One focus - If we were to summarize a truck driver's responsibility, it would be to deliver goods on time—safely. Unlike other jobs where you’re required to do manual paperwork, truck driving allows you to focus on that one important task. Drivers nowadays have the power of technology to their advantage. With fleet safety cameras and fleet management systems, drivers don't have to worry about keeping a detailed log of their day. Everything is recorded in the system and is ready to access anytime.
Cons:
- Unhealthy lifestyle - There's nothing like a healthy, home-cooked meal. But when you're on the road for the long haul, it can be difficult to keep track of what you're eating. Oftentimes, fast food is the way to go. Additionally, there are not a lot of opportunities to stay active when you have to sit in front of the wheel for long hours.
- Days away from home – When it comes to long-haul vs. short-haul trucking, this is one of the reasons why many drivers are looking for shorter routes. Being away from family can be difficult, especially if you're just starting out. However, drivers can still enjoy conversations with family and friends back home, provided they use a hands-free device while driving.
- Fatigue - Driving odd hours can take a toll on a driver's health. Even though the Hours of Service (HOS) specifies driving windows and limits, there are times when a driver may feel fatigued while carrying a job on the road. Some drivers may want to push their limits and drive continuously for hours on end so that they can go home earlier. However, doing so may lead to fatigue, or worse, a collision.
- Boredom - Truck driving is a solitary job. When you're on the road by yourself, the days can be very lonesome. Since your focus is on the road, there's not much you can do to entertain yourself. Driving while texting is a serious violation that could result in disqualification.
Differences in job descriptions for long-haul vs. short-haul trucking
Truck driving is a rewarding job for those who love exploring open roads. They aren’t tied to a desk and can earn as much as $82,605 a year. However, there's a huge difference in duties for long-haul vs. short-haul trucking.
A typical workday for a long-haul truck driver begins with loading the cargo and making sure that all paperwork is signed and complete. Once everything is checked, the drivers will drive for thousands of miles to deliver the cargo. As soon as they get to their destinations, the drivers will then drop off the payload and complete the paperwork for the delivery.
On the other hand, short-haul drivers have a more active workday. Drivers usually spend only a day on the road (as opposed to days or weeks with long haul) and drop off packages to multiple locations. As drivers travel only short distances, they are more involved in coordinating deliveries and loading and unloading packages.
Here's a more detailed comparison of long-haul vs. short-haul trucking:
Drivers spend more days on the road, so they are rarely at home.
Drivers can come home every night, depending on the distance covered.
Eating out during breaks can put a dent in a driver's budget.
Since drivers can spend more time at home, showers and meals are not part of their daily expenses.
Covers more than 250 miles.
Often uses large trucks, such as tractor-trailers, to deliver goods.
Uses smaller vehicles that can enter smaller roads.
Drivers don't have to unload frequently since deliveries cover longer distances.
Drivers spend more time unloading because of the short distance and multiple stops.
Higher operating expenses (such as maintenance and fuel) due to long distances.
Lower maintenance and fuel costs because of shorter routes.
Hazardous weather conditions, dangerous terrains, and detours are part of the job.
Drivers navigate familiar terrain (usually in cities), so daily routes are predictable.
How many miles is considered short-haul?
We can classify short-haul trucking in two categories:
- Regional trucking entails driving anywhere between 150 and 500 miles from the terminal. It is somewhat close to over the road or long-haul trucking in that drivers may travel for days and cross state lines. Because of the relatively long distance, drivers sometimes stay at hotels or sleep in their truck cabins. However, regional trucking covers shorter routes compared to long-haul trucking.
- Local trucking means traveling with smaller shipments for less than 100 miles from the home terminal. The shorter distance means that once you've completed a job, you can come home to your family more often.
With relatively shorter routes, short-haul truckers get to enjoy a better work-life balance. However, short-haul trucking rates are also lower because of the shorter routes and minimized risks. Short-haul truckers earn an average of $38,640 per year.
Final thoughts on long-haul vs. short-haul trucking
Short-haul trucking may be the best option for drivers who are looking to start a career in trucking. With short-haul driving, truckers can enjoy a work-life balance that is challenging to achieve when driving long-haul. Since routes are shorter, truckers can complete multiple deliveries in one day and still have enough time to spend with their families. However, short-haul trucking pay is lower than long-haul. If you’re flexible on salary, then short-haul trucking may work to your advantage.
What’s the difference between regional and local trucking?
Local trucking is also known as short-haul trucking. Drivers can expect to make numerous stops during the day to unload deliveries within a metropolitan area. They’ll stay within a short radius of their home terminal and get to go home every evening.
Regional trucking is a scaled-down version of long-haul trucking. Regional drivers may be on the road for days at a time, though probably not for as long as long-haul truckers. They make few stops—generally pulling off only to eat or sleep. Regional truckers often stay on the road all week and return home on weekends.
Is long-haul trucking worth it in 2025?
Long-haul trucking involves certain tradeoffs, but many drivers believe it’s a great way to make a living. Long-haul drivers spend days or weeks at a time away from home. They don’t always have healthy food available to them, and they often must sleep in their truck. But the pay is higher than for short-haul driving, and there’s excellent job security due to the shortage of drivers.
Do short-haul drivers make good money?
Although short-haul drivers aren’t paid as much as their long-haul counterparts, they can still expect to earn an average of $38,640 per year.
