Local, regional or over the road
Local
Home every day, usually paid by the hour. Expect more stops, more backing in tight places, and often physical work unloading. Many local employers want a year or two of experience, so these jobs can be harder to land straight out of school.
Regional
You run a group of states and get home weekly, often on weekends. Pay is usually by the mile. It is a middle ground that suits people with families who still want solid miles.
Over the road (OTR)
Out for two to four weeks at a time, living in the truck. This is where most new drivers start, because large OTR carriers hire and train beginners. The miles build experience fast. The cost is time away from home.
How to choose
- Be honest about home time. More drivers quit over that than over pay.
- One clean year over the road opens almost every local and regional job afterward.
- If you are under 21 you are generally limited to driving inside your own state, so look at in-state and local carriers.