Short-haul vs. long-haul trucking

What’s the difference between short- and long-haul trucking? Short-haul trucking is driving, on average, 150 miles from a fleet company and can be completed within a day. Long-haul trucking involves traveling over 250 miles from the fleet company, often crossing multiple state lines.

Keep reading to learn more about short-haul vs. long-haul trucking. We’ll also discuss how you can experience both types of driving before you commit.

What is short-haul trucking?

Short-haul trucking is when a trucker handles shipments typically within 150 miles of their company. Unlike long haulers, short haulers should be able to manage their duties within a day and come home at night.

Different types of short hauling

Short hauling is usually split into two groups: Local and regional. Local truck drivers work within 100 miles and have smaller shipments. Local drivers also tend to have the same routes and become familiar with them and the customers they deliver to.

Regional drivers can drive anywhere from 100 to 250 miles. Regional drivers may occasionally need to stay overnight in their truck or a hotel. These drivers will have more variety in their routes.

The trucks

With smaller cargos, short-haul truck drivers handle a variety of smaller vehicles, including:

• Straight Trucks: Has a tractor-trailer in a fixed position and carries various goods
• Vans: Has a design similar to delivery vans, just a little bigger to hold cargo
• Box Trucks: Has a cargo section separated from the driver’s cab and can be used to transport various goods

Pros of short hauling

Here are some of the pros of being a short-haul driver.

Time on the road

The most obvious benefit of being a short hauler is having a better work-life balance. Short haulers don’t drive nearly as far as long haulers. For the most part, they can return home daily and spend time with their families.

Familiar areas

Because short-haul routes are consistent, drivers can grow familiar with the area. This can mean knowing better routes, more comfort when detours occur, or knowing areas to avoid.

Exempt from HOS compliance

For those who hate paperwork and tracking time, being hours of service (HOS) exempt from HOS compliance is an immense benefit. Because short-haul truckers don’t work as long or drive as many miles, they don’t need to log their hours—unlike their long-haul counterparts.

Cons of short hauling

Here are some disadvantages of being a short-haul truck driver.

Multiple routes within a day

Because short haulers have shorter routes, they’re often asked to do multiple runs within a day. This can be difficult to manage between unknown factors like traffic jams or accidents. Being late to one shipment means being late to the rest.

Multiple routes can also lead to long days out on the road.

Client expectations

While both long- and short-haul truckers must deal with client expectations, short haulers have a tougher time because customers may think the drive shouldn’t take that long. Being nearby can give the idea that a driver should be on time, if not early, despite many unexpected events.

Maneuvering 

Short-haul drivers must turn tight corners, park, and back up within a city. What’s easy in a passenger vehicle takes time and skills in a short-haul truck.

What is long-haul trucking?

Long-haul trucking, or over-the-road (OTR), is when a driver travels 250 or more miles from the fleet company they work for. Long-haul truckers will cover thousands of miles yearly and sometimes cross country borders.

HOS compliance

A significant part of long-haul trucking is ensuring hours of service (HOS) compliance. HOS is a set of rules for how long you can drive daily. HOS states that a trucker must:

• Take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of working.
• Have 10 hours off duty (7 of which should be spent sleeping) after 11 hours on the road.
• Spend at most 60 hours driving in 7 days, 70 hours in 8 days.

To ensure compliance, a long-haul trucker must log their duty status and hours daily.

Truck beds

Long-haul trucking requires different types of trucks than short hauling due to large quantities and types of cargo.

• Flatbed trucks: Has an open bed for hauling large or heavy cargo
• Refrigerated trucks: Has a temperature-controlled cargo area for perishable goods
• Ventilated vans: Has a well-ventilated cargo area to transport nonperishable goods

Pros of long hauling

Here are a few of the benefits of becoming a long hauler.

Better pay

When discussing the benefits of long-haul trucking, pay is almost always mentioned. This is because trucks tend to be paid per mile, so long haulers are paid more than short haulers.

Stability and security 

Many truckers turn to long hauling because it offers more stability and security. While truckers are always needed, people who can handle a long time on the road are particularly in demand and hard to find.

Paid to see the country

Long haulers get to see all parts of the country while on their routes, all while getting paid. This benefits those who love to travel because they can see famous landmarks without paying for travel.

Cons of long hauling

There are some drawbacks to becoming a long-haul trucker.

Long times on the road

Being a long hauler means spending a lot of time on the road, which can cause physical and emotional problems. Struggling to have the mental stamina for concentration, physical aches from sitting for long periods, or dealing with loneliness—all are common occurrences for long haulers.

Larger vehicle to control

While a majority of time is spent on highways when long hauling, a driver will still have a larger vehicle to control - this requires specific skills to control vehicles and drive efficiently among passenger cars. 

Rejected shipments

Shipment problems can occur for both short- and long-haul drivers—but it can be more troublesome for long haulers. They travel far and may be unaware of cargo issues on their truck.

The cargo may have been damaged when loaded into the truck bed, or perishables may have spoiled on the way.

Experience both before you commit

Are you a fleet operator with drivers debating short-haul vs. long-haul trucking? With a driving simulator like TranSim™, drivers can try both before hitting the road. Whether for new or experienced drivers looking for a change, TranSim™ can show users what it’s like to drive through busy cities or highways.