What's The Difference? OTR Vs Regional Vs Local Trucking

There are many differences between OTR, Regional, and Local truck driving, but there are also similarities. As with most truck driving jobs, a CDL truck driver usually helps load and unload freight. While physical labor should be expected, drivers can sometimes get drop and hook or no touch runs. In addition, regardless of what type of truck driving you do, all drivers can be on duty up to 70 hours every 8 days per DOT regulations.

What is OTR trucking? OTR trucking stands for over-the-road trucking, referring to truck drivers hauling freight over long distances (state lines or even coast to coast). OTR truck drivers can spend 3-4 weeks at a time on the road before returning home. OTR drivers drive all across the United States and Canada, hauling all types of items, including heavy freight, machinery, construction materials, and other equipment. Unlike local or regional trucking, OTR routes are not confined to a specific region.

What is regional trucking? Regional trucking refers to truck driving jobs where routes are limited to a specific region of the country. Typically, it’s broken up into divisions like Northeast, Midwest, South, and West, and usually within a 1,000-mile radius. With OTR and regional trucking, the format is mostly the same – you are out driving for a set amount of time, then, depending on your company’s policy, home for a certain number of days. The regional routes tend to be predictable, and the average time on the road is a few days. This offers a middle ground between local and OTR trucking.

What is local trucking? Local trucking refers to truck driving jobs where routes are confined to a specific city, metro area, or nearby counties and states. These routes allow the driver to be home daily, which can be a real benefit to those with a family or who just want to be home every day. The routes are local, typically within a 200-mile radius, and consist of an 8-14-hour workday. With local trucking, you’ll need to be able to navigate smaller roads on a regular basis rather than the highway, as well as backing into tight loading docks multiple times a day, which is why many local truck driving companies require at least a year of CDL driving experience. Some routes require multiple delivery stops.

What is a dedicated route? A dedicated route is when a trucking company services the same company or location regularly. More often than not, a truck driver will pick up a load at a regular location and then deliver it to a dedicated customer, or along a consistent route.

Whether you want to be an OTR driver, regional driver, or local driver, you need proper training. Truck driving schools offer CDL training and specific OTR training. Some CDL schools include financial assistance to help cover the cost of tuition, or a trucking company that hires you may pay for your training tuition. Before choosing a school, verify that the school offers hands-on training and ask whether or not assistance with job placement is offered upon graduation.

Fundamental Labor Strategies is an expert in connecting truck drivers to trucking jobs. View our available local truck driving jobs.