How to trip plan as a truck driver: 5 essential tips to use

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Whether you have a load to drop off later that day or are starting a three-day trip, trip planning should be a regular part of a truck driver’s pre-trip routine.  

Planning effectively can help you figure out where you’re headed, when you’ll get there and what potential issues you might encounter along the way. To help plan your route more effectively, follow these five tips on how to trip plan as a trucker.    

Key takeaways

• Make trip planning a daily habit during your pre-trip process as a truck driver.
• Get a clear picture of where you are going by using a variety of resources for directions.
• Check the weather forecast, look for obstacles along the route and have an idea of where you will take your breaks.
• Update your ETA throughout the day to let your leader and the customer plan for any schedule changes.

Truck driver route planning tips

1. Use a variety of trucker-friendly resources for directions.

Get a better idea of where you’ll be driving by using more than one resource for directions:

• GPS apps: Use the satellite point-of-view to look at the locations where you will pick up and/or drop off loads.
• Atlas: Use to get a clear picture of where you will drive and to get a broader view of how you will get there.
• GPS on a company-provided tablet: If your company provides a driver tablet, like Schneider does, use it while driving to navigate where you are going.

2. Look for obstacles along the route that could set you back.

The following obstacles can impact your trip:

• Road closures.  
• Construction.
• Tolls.
• Low bridges.
• Big-city traffic.

During your trip planning, use trucker-friendly GPS apps to check for any of these obstacles along your route and plan safe, legal alternate routes to use if needed.

If you do run into an unexpected obstacle while driving, slow down, follow posted signs or detour instructions and pull over in a safe and legal location before rerouting or contacting your leader for guidance.

3. Plan where you are going to take breaks.

Determine when and where you will stop for the following breaks:

• 30-minute break: Have an idea in mind of where you plan on stopping before you leave for the day. Good options may include truck stops, rest areas, Schneider facilities or even customer locations. Be flexible and adjust depending on your location.  
• 10-hour break: Have a primary location and a secondary location planned before you leave. For example, your primary location could be the Schneider facility in Gary, Indiana, and your secondary location a rest stop along the route, about an hour outside of Gary.

If you are traveling to a busy area like the East Coast, spend extra time thinking about parking and have back-up plans in case lots are full.  Remember, shoulders and the side of the road are for emergencies, not breaks.

4. Check the forecast.

Rain and snow can impact your trip and your ETA. Check the weather before and during your trip (such as during your 30-minute break – not while driving) by:

• Using an app on your phone to see what the weather is like where you are and where you are going.  
• Dialing 511 or visiting the state’s DOT website to check how the weather is affecting road conditions.

5. Update your ETA throughout the day.

It’s important to communicate with your team leader. Sharing your ETA with your leader throughout the day will allow them to communicate time adjustments to the customer.

If you are ahead of schedule, updating your ETA and next-available time lets your leader know you may have time to get another load that day.

If you are behind schedule, updating your ETA lets the customer and your leader plan for your delay.

This content is for general informational purposes only. Application may vary depending on equipment, operating environment and other circumstances. Not intended to be used as a substitute for, or to override, applicable company policies or training. Drivers should comply with federal regulations and state law. Schneider assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage as a result of the use or misuse of the information presented.