All truck driving jobs have their own challenges and opportunities. If you are considering dedicated trucking jobs, read on to learn the benefits of these truck driving jobs and whether they may be right for you.
What Is Dedicated Truck Driving?
Many truck drivers handle shipments and deliveries for a variety of companies and along different routes. This is a non-dedicated arrangement because your route details change. In fact, they could be different every day, whether you’re a regional driver or working over-the-road OTR trucking jobs.
Conversely, in a dedicated trucking job, you work the same routes and deliver to the same customers on a regular basis. For example, someone working dedicated trucking in Dallas may pick up a load from a Dallas area warehouse and deliver it to a customer in Lubbock, Texas. Then he or she would take another cargo load from Lubbock back to another customer in Dallas.
Advantages of Dedicated Truck Driving Jobs
Many truck drivers consider dedicated trucking jobs to be the ultimate career goal. It can be, in many ways, a chance to reap the benefits of truck driving with a more predictable lifestyle.
- Predictability: The main difference between dedicated and non-dedicated trucking driving is that the former is more predictable. You drive the same routes every time you get behind the wheel. You don’t have to worry about traveling along unfamiliar roads or finding new places to stop for food, fuel and sleep.
- Customer Relationships: Another benefit of dedicated trucking jobs is that you get to know the customers you work with on a more personal level. You’ll see them more often and have a chance to build real relationships with them. This can make the job more meaningful and enjoyable.
- Regular Schedule: Along with predictable routes comes a regular schedule. You know when you are going to drive and when you will return home. Typically, dedicated truck driving jobs only require you to be on the road a couple of nights a week.
- Family Time: The regular schedule and limited nighttime driving make it easier to make room for family time. One of the most common struggles of truck drivers with families is not being able to spend enough time at home. Moving to dedicated trucking jobs is a great way to overcome this.
- Budget Consistency: Some truck driving jobs can be inconsistent in terms of pay because sometimes there are plenty of high-paying routes and sometimes there aren’t. Dedicated trucking jobs come with a fairly consistent paycheck. This makes budgeting for truck drivers who are saving for home ownership, covering family needs and taking time off significantly easier.
Beyond these advantages, there is also the opportunity for career success. There is plenty of growth on the horizon for dedicated trucking jobs.
Drawbacks of Dedicated Truck Driving Jobs
Dedicated jobs sound pretty great. However, you may be asking: what is dedicated trucking’s catch?
The main challenge of dedicated trucking jobs is that they don’t often offer long-haul experience. Generally, they are only regional routes. Therefore, it can be difficult to switch over to be an OTR driver. Although OTR driving is not for everyone, it does offer some lucrative opportunities and is often the highest-paying trucking jobs.
Additionally, many of the advantages of dedicated trucking can be drawbacks in some people’s eyes. For example, staying closer to home and having a consistent schedule means less freedom. Similarly, there are fewer opportunities to visit and see new places.
Dedicated truck driving jobs also don’t offer many opportunities to pick up extra work. Some truck drivers like this flexibility to help them deal with significant expenses.
Should You Choose Dedicated Truck Driving?
Dedicated trucking can be a great career opportunity, but it isn’t right for everyone. If you want a stable job with consistent hours and pay, it may be a great choice. It is a popular path for people with families they need to support both financially and with their time and love.
However, some drivers want to cover a lot of miles and enjoy the flexibility and freedom of the road. In this case, dedicated trucking may not be the right fit. Similarly, if you want to take home the biggest paycheck possible, dedicated truck driving jobs may not be the right choice.
Dedicated trucking can be a good choice for many people. Consider the pros and cons and determine if it is the right move for you.
Find the Best Trucking Jobs For You
Whether you want to work as a dedicated, over-the-road or any other type of truck driver, you can learn more about the benefits of truck driving jobs here. There are plenty of trucking companies looking for drivers like you, even if you are looking for your first job after training. Find the best jobs for your lifestyle today.
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