The secret to a successful road trip for truckers

 The importance of route planning is no better known than truck drivers. Planned trips make truckers feel more comfortable and reduce their stress on the road. It is essential to stop for refueling, rest and eat while traveling. A poorly organized trip can lead to negative effects. Below are a few of them.

•  Running out of fuel
• Inability to find fuel stops, eating stops, and resting stops.
• Stuck in a dangerous place at night
• Losing money because of taking wrong turns.
• Damaging your and your company's reputation.
• Missing truck stops in between the journey.

 Tips for planning a road trip 

The following tips will add you to the elite trucker list and make you plan your road trips like a professional.

•  Find the total distance

Distance is more than just counting the number of miles. The truckers have to consider several things that add not only to their distance but also time. 

Factors that need to consider:- 

· Meals and breaks
· Rest areas
· Deliveries
· Road closure
· Fueling and sleeping
· Border closing

Therefore truckers must look at the route of the entire trip before even reaching the first stop. While considering the distance between each stop, don’t forget to foresee things that can slow your down, such as bad weather.

• Set the number of stops 

Every trucker has to eat, use washrooms, and do several other things on a daily basis. Some emergencies could make you stop, but you should try limiting your stops. So decide on the number of stops considering your supplies and total distance. And try to stick with it as it will help save your time and money.

• Find the essential services 

Before going on a road trip, ensure you locate all the essential services. The most vital thing for a trucker is to locate repair and maintenance shops. Other services such as meal stops, bus stops, and hospitals are also crucial. It's good to look for gas stations where you can get cheap fuel. You can use apps to locate essential services on your trip.

• Plan around grocery shopping 

Planning stops around grocery stores will help you save money on fast food, and you don’t need to search for restaurants when you are hungry, which will save you time. It is good to locate restaurants that offer food at a reasonable price. But make sure to check their opening and closing time.

• Spare some extra time

One can not avoid unexpected delays and difficulties on a road trip. If you have estimated it will take around 48 hours, add a minimum of 5-6 hours. If you allow yourself extra time, you won’t be stressed when something happens along the journey. And you will find better ways to deal with a problem.

• Help you avoid dangerous places 

There are always places that are considered unsafe for driving. Truck drivers and transportation companies should know these places before leaving to ensure safety. Find cities that you need to avoid and look for safe parking spaces. You can save yourself from getting stuck in dangerous places if you know which areas to avoid and which to go to.

• Stock essential supplies 

It’s wise to keep extra items in your truck even if you know the shops where the best services are given. Items that you should include are non-perishable foods and basic supplies. If you have to drive through remote areas having limited supplies, you must keep the basic supplies handy. It can make the situation better, especially if you get stuck there. 

• Check Weather 

Another essential thing to plan is the weather. Extreme weather such as heavy rain and the icy road can slow you down and lead to accidents. We are not here to tell you to plan your trips 2 weeks in advance, but you can keep an eye on the weather.

• Give importance to communication 

Communication plays a prominent role when it comes to delivering supplies. Dispatchers send information to the truck drivers regarding the delivery of items, and then the truckers plan their trip. The dispatcher communicates with the driver to ascertain whether the item can be delivered within the stipulated time frame. Truck drivers also provide updates to the dispatcher along the way. Like if they are getting late or reaching early. 

Note: Arriving supplies early is as problematic to a customer as reaching late.

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