{"id":18387,"date":"2023-09-24T04:06:43","date_gmt":"2023-09-24T11:06:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=18387"},"modified":"2025-09-25T03:46:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T10:46:41","slug":"what-does-otr-mean-in-trucking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/what-does-otr-mean-in-trucking","title":{"rendered":"What Does OTR Mean in Trucking?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18387\" class=\"elementor elementor-18387\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-24ebb9e3 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"24ebb9e3\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-682e6492\" data-id=\"682e6492\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bef1b47 elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"7bef1b47\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"23482\" class=\"elementor elementor-23482\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5f9a1cf2 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"5f9a1cf2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c09d1bd\" data-id=\"c09d1bd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-423e1446 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"423e1446\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1a3148dd\" data-id=\"1a3148dd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d0fd02d header-top-title elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7d0fd02d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\">What Does OTR Mean in Trucking?<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6d8b956a\" data-id=\"6d8b956a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1521f96d long-form-content-sec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1521f96d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-24df81ca\" data-id=\"24df81ca\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-4eae9fe5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4eae9fe5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-760ddaa8\" data-id=\"760ddaa8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-746909f4 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"746909f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"23484\" class=\"elementor elementor-23484\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-77872c06 elementor-section-full_width elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"77872c06\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7813e718\" data-id=\"7813e718\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1de5dee7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1de5dee7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"#\">&lt; Back to resources<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c92a00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6c92a00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Share<br><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a3a2bcc uael-share-buttons--view-icon uael-stylex-inline elementor-grid-0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-uael-social-share\" data-id=\"5a3a2bcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;column_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:2,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:24,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;columns&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;column_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;column_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"uael-social-share.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"uael-style-inline uael-container uael-floating-align-\" data-pin_data_url=\"\" data-share_url_type=\"current_page\" data-share_url=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid uael-floating-align-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-linkedin\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-x-twitter\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-reddit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on reddit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-reddit\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fas fa-envelope\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ab25452 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ab25452\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>OTR, or over-the-road trucking, is a term often heard in the freight industry. But what exactly does it mean? For those new to trucking, understanding OTR is essential, as it plays a crucial role in long-haul transportation across the country. OTR trucking involves hauling freight over long distances, typically between states, and requires a unique set of skills and lifestyle adjustments. Let\u2019s break down what OTR trucking is and why it\u2019s significant in the trucking world.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-175a894e elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"175a894e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-39d62f43\" data-id=\"39d62f43\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-662ed800 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"662ed800\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The complete guide to OTR trucking for carriers<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68599ffb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"68599ffb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>From <a href=\"\/solutions\/hot-shot-loads\">hot shot trucking<\/a> to local deliveries and cross-country trips, truckers have many options when it comes to which loads they pick up and where they go. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/transportation-and-material-moving\/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm#tab-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2.2 million<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trucking.org\/economics-and-industry-data\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3.5 million<\/a> active truck drivers in the U.S. working as over-the-road (OTR) truckers as of 2023, OTR trucking is an incredibly popular option.<\/p><p>OTR drivers are responsible for moving <a href=\"https:\/\/www.altexsoft.com\/blog\/trucking-industry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">72.6% of the freight in the U.S.<\/a>, putting them at the heart of our economy. Without OTR trucking, manufacturers and stores would need to turn to a combination of trains and local or regional trucking to receive new inventory\u2014but who exactly are these drivers, and what do they do?<\/p><p>This article will go over the meaning of OTR, what OTR drivers do, how to become an OTR driver, challenges in OTR trucking jobs, how drivers can find OTR loads, and more.<\/p><h3>OTR vs. regional vs. local trucking: What\u2019s the difference?<\/h3><p>In the trucking industry, not all driving jobs are created equal. The terms OTR, regional, and local trucking each refer to different types of driving routes, schedules, and lifestyle requirements. Understanding the distinctions between these categories can help drivers and companies choose the right type of freight hauling for their needs.<\/p><ul><li><strong>OTR trucking<\/strong> involves long-haul routes that often cross multiple states and may span thousands of miles. Drivers spend extended periods away from home, sometimes for weeks at a time, delivering freight coast-to-coast or to remote locations. This type of trucking offers higher earning potential but requires a willingness to embrace life on the road.<\/li><li><strong>Regional trucking<\/strong> covers shorter distances, typically within a specific region, such as the Midwest or the Southeast. Drivers may travel across several states but generally return home every few days or weekly. This setup balances extended travel and home time, making it ideal for drivers who want more frequent breaks from the road.<\/li><li><strong>Local trucking<\/strong> is focused on short-haul routes within a city or metropolitan area, usually allowing drivers to return home daily. This type of trucking involves more frequent stops, pickups, and deliveries, with shorter driving distances. While the earning potential may be lower compared to OTR trucking, it\u2019s a popular choice for those seeking a more predictable schedule and time with family.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-6476180 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6476180\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4ef1b29\" data-id=\"4ef1b29\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a4d90a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7a4d90a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">OTR trucking in context: The first-mile, middle-mile, and last-mile<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69add6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"69add6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>While the focus of this piece is on OTR trucking itself, understanding OTR means understanding its context. OTR trucking is just one portion of the larger logistics industry. In fact, logistics are broken into three key segments: first-mile, middle-mile, and last-mile logistics. Let\u2019s take a closer look at each of these segments:<\/p><ul><li><strong>First-mile logistics:<\/strong> This is the first stage of the logistics process where goods are transferred from the manufacturer to the distribution center or warehouse. Products can originate from anywhere in the world. No matter where they begin, wherever the products go next is considered the first mile.<\/li><li><strong>Middle-mile logistics:<\/strong> OTR trucking is part of the middle mile, or the stage where goods are transferred from warehouses and distribution centers to fulfillment or storage facilities. While the length of time of the middle mile can vary greatly depending on the origin and destination of the shipment, the importance of this section is always the same.<\/li><li><strong>Last-mile logistics:<\/strong> The final stage of the logistics process is the last mile, where goods are transferred from fulfillment facilities, like retail stores or transportation hubs, to the final delivery destination, typically a consumer\u2019s hands. The goal of this stage is speed, as anyone who\u2019s ever ordered a product with same or next-day delivery knows all too well.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-4cce709 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4cce709\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c73f3dc\" data-id=\"c73f3dc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-735633f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"735633f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to become an OTR truck driver<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-039eb96 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"039eb96\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To pursue a career in OTR trucking, the first step is obtaining a <a href=\"\/resources\/understanding-commercial-drivers-license\">Commercial Driver&#8217;s License (CDL)<\/a>, which is required to legally operate large commercial vehicles. The process of earning a CDL varies by state but generally includes passing both a written exam and a practical driving test. Aspiring drivers should begin by studying their state&#8217;s CDL handbook or enrolling in a trucking school to take a CDL course for more structured training.<\/p><p>There are three classes of CDLs, each qualifying drivers to operate different types of vehicles:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Class A CDL:<\/strong> The most versatile CDL, allowing drivers to operate vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the towed vehicle weighs over 10,000 pounds. A Class A license qualifies you for various OTR trucking jobs, including driving tractor-trailers, flatbeds, tanker vehicles, and livestock carriers. It also covers most Class B and C vehicles.<\/li><li><strong>Class B CDL:<\/strong> Designed for operating single vehicles exceeding 26,001 pounds, such as straight trucks, box trucks, and some buses. While less common in OTR trucking jobs, a Class B CDL may still be useful for certain regional or specialized driving roles. If towing is involved, the trailer\u2019s weight must be under 10,000 pounds.<\/li><li><strong>Class C CDL:<\/strong> Required for driving vehicles under 26,001 pounds that are used to transport passengers or hazardous materials. Class C CDL holders can operate smaller vehicles like passenger vans, provided they have the proper endorsements for specific types of cargo.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Automatic-only CDL restriction:<\/strong> If you take your CDL skills test in a truck with an automatic transmission, your license will include a restriction\u2014known as Restriction E\u2014which limits you to driving automatic vehicles only. To avoid this limitation and qualify to drive both manual and automatic trucks, it\u2019s best to test in a manual transmission vehicle if possible.<\/p><p>Additionally, drivers need to pass a CDL hazmat written knowledge test to <a href=\"\/resources\/guide-to-hauling-hazardous-materials\">transport hazardous materials<\/a> and gain their H endorsement. Other CDL endorsements include:<\/p><ul><li><strong>N Endorsement:<\/strong> Allows driving tanker vehicles carrying liquids or gasses.<\/li><li><strong>T Endorsement:<\/strong> Authorizes operating double or triple trailers.<\/li><li><strong>X Endorsement:<\/strong> Combines the hazmat and tanker qualifications for drivers hauling hazardous materials in a tank.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-fffa0e5 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fffa0e5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0516a25\" data-id=\"0516a25\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7aefeb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a7aefeb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The challenges of being an OTR trucker<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75266da elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"75266da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Once you\u2019ve earned all the necessary licenses, you&#8217;re ready to embark on an exciting career as an OTR driver! Life on the open road is an adventure, full of unique experiences and the chance to see parts of the country that many people never get to explore. While being an OTR trucker means spending time away from home, it also offers the freedom to travel and the opportunity to develop valuable skills. You may encounter a variety of weather, busy highways, and limited meal choices, but each of these can be an opportunity to build resilience and resourcefulness.<\/p><p>Below are some of the challenges you might face as an OTR trucker:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Finding parking:<\/strong> One of the biggest daily frustrations for OTR drivers is finding a safe, legal place to park, particularly at night. With truck parking in short supply, many drivers are now paying out-of-pocket for spots at truck stops or rest areas. Lack of parking not only eats into your time and money, but it also adds stress at the end of a long day on the road.<\/li><li><strong>Hours of Service (HOS) rules:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fmcsa.dot.gov\/regulations\/hours-service\/summary-hours-service-regulations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HOS rules<\/a> were initially introduced in the 1930s, though they\u2019ve changed a little over the years. For long-haul drivers operating outside a 150 air-mile radius from their home terminal, the current rules state that you:<ul><li>Can drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty<\/li><li>Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty<\/li><li>Must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving<\/li><li>Cannot exceed 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p>If you hit these limits, you\u2019ll need to wait for your hours to reset. This is typically done by taking 34 consecutive hours off duty.<\/p><p><em>Note:<\/em> If you&#8217;re a short-haul driver operating within a 150 air-mile radius, different exemptions apply. These drivers often work up to 12 hours per day, follow the same 60\/70 hour weekly limits, and usually enjoy more regular schedules with weekends off.<\/p><p>To help enforce these rules, the federal government introduced the <a href=\"\/solutions\/what-is-eld-for-truckers\">electronic logging device (ELD)<\/a> mandate in 2019, requiring most commercial drivers to track hours electronically.<\/p><ul><li><strong>Lengthy detentions:<\/strong> In OTR trucking, you\u2019ll also often experience delays when picking up or delivering loads. These detentions typically take two to two-and-a-half hours but can occasionally last longer and throw a wrench in your schedule.<\/li><li><strong>Poor infrastructure:<\/strong> Unfortunately, much of the United States\u2019 infrastructure is aging and in poor condition which can make driving across the country difficult. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.industryweek.com\/the-economy\/competitiveness\/article\/21130932\/crumbling-infrastructure-is-hurting-americas-competitive-edge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">65% of major U.S.<\/a> roads are in \u201cless than good condition,\u201d according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. It\u2019s also worth noting that <a href=\"https:\/\/infrastructurereportcard.org\/cat-item\/bridges-infrastructure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">42% of bridges in the U.S.<\/a> are 50 years old (or older) and <a href=\"https:\/\/infrastructurereportcard.org\/cat-item\/bridges-infrastructure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">46,154 bridges<\/a> are currently structurally deficient.<\/li><li><strong>High levels of stress:<\/strong> Spending so much time on the road and away from your family can be stressful as you figure out how to balance your personal life with such a time-consuming job. On top of that, you\u2019ll need to deal with poor weather and visibility, construction, traffic jams, tight deadlines, and more.<\/li><li><strong>Physical health issues:<\/strong> OTR trucking can be stressful on the body. Not only will you spend days or weeks on the road at a time, but you\u2019ll also likely spend that time sleeping in your truck\u2019s cabin or motels and picking up fast food from rest stops. While being an OTR trucker involves a lot of travel, it\u2019s a very sedentary job and, as a result, can result in health complications. Compared to the national working population, long-haul truckers are more likely to report having diabetes and are more than twice as likely to be obese (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fmcsa.dot.gov\/sites\/fmcsa.dot.gov\/files\/docs\/National%20Survey%20of%20Long-Haul%20Truck%20Driver%20Health%20and%20Injury.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">69% vs. 31%<\/a>) or have morbid obesity (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fmcsa.dot.gov\/sites\/fmcsa.dot.gov\/files\/docs\/National%20Survey%20of%20Long-Haul%20Truck%20Driver%20Health%20and%20Injury.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">17% vs. 7%<\/a>).<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-631ef3d elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"631ef3d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-362c1e6\" data-id=\"362c1e6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c49b872 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c49b872\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Find success as an OTR trucker<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-618bdd2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"618bdd2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>OTR trucking offers drivers the opportunity to earn higher wages while covering long-haul, coast-to-coast routes. However, it requires a commitment to spending extended periods away from home and careful planning to manage both time and profits effectively. Success in OTR trucking also depends on following safety regulations, obtaining the proper endorsements, and strategically selecting loads to minimize downtime. Whether you\u2019re a new driver or managing a large fleet, mastering these elements is essential to thrive in the demanding world of over-the-road trucking.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4c6306ae\" data-id=\"4c6306ae\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-78e5834a\" data-id=\"78e5834a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-727fa84b elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"727fa84b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"23486\" class=\"elementor elementor-23486\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e34f809 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e34f809\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3b8c533f\" data-id=\"3b8c533f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af9304c elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"af9304c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"btn-back-mobile\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"#\">&lt; Back to resources<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e844479 elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e844479\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Share<br><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76346c8e uael-share-buttons--view-icon elementor-hidden-mobile uael-stylex-inline elementor-grid-0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-uael-social-share\" data-id=\"76346c8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;column_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:2,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:24,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;columns&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;column_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;column_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"uael-social-share.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"uael-style-inline uael-container uael-floating-align-\" data-pin_data_url=\"\" data-share_url_type=\"current_page\" data-share_url=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid uael-floating-align-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-linkedin\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-x-twitter\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-reddit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on reddit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-reddit\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fas fa-envelope\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45acce61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"45acce61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Articles<br><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f8c8d3d elementor-grid-1 elementor-grid-tablet-1 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"6f8c8d3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24713 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper_case_study_stats_summary\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24714\" alt=\"shipper_case_study_stats_summary\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper_case_study_stats_summary\" >\n\t\t\t\tHow transportation intelligence pays off for shippers\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper_case_study_stats_summary\" aria-label=\"Read more about How transportation intelligence pays off for shippers\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24710 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper_solutions_finance_cfo\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1716\" height=\"990\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shipping-costs-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24711\" alt=\"shipping costs\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shipping-costs-1.png 1716w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shipping-costs-1-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shipping-costs-1-1024x591.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shipping-costs-1-768x443.png 768w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shipping-costs-1-1536x886.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1716px) 100vw, 1716px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper_solutions_finance_cfo\" >\n\t\t\t\tDAT for Finance Leaders: Why your organization needs DAT shipper solutions\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper_solutions_finance_cfo\" aria-label=\"Read more about DAT for Finance Leaders: Why your organization needs DAT shipper solutions\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24704 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/measure_what_matters_shipper_metrics\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1186\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/analytics_stylized-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24705\" alt=\"analytics_stylized\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/analytics_stylized-1.png 1186w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/analytics_stylized-1-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/analytics_stylized-1-1024x680.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/analytics_stylized-1-768x510.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1186px) 100vw, 1186px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/measure_what_matters_shipper_metrics\" >\n\t\t\t\tMeasure What Matters: A straightforward guide to measuring success for shippers\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/measure_what_matters_shipper_metrics\" aria-label=\"Read more about Measure What Matters: A straightforward guide to measuring success for shippers\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24696 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/digital_transformation_guide\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1688\" height=\"1126\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24716\" alt=\"DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer.jpg 1688w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1688px) 100vw, 1688px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/digital_transformation_guide\" >\n\t\t\t\tDriving Digitalization with DAT iQ: Top Pain Points to Avoid for Supply Chain Digital Transformation\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/digital_transformation_guide\" aria-label=\"Read more about Driving Digitalization with DAT iQ: Top Pain Points to Avoid for Supply Chain Digital Transformation\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24693 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/benchmarking_101\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1069\" height=\"747\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Benchmark-Analytics__Shipper-Hero-Video-Screenshot-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24694\" alt=\"Benchmark Analytics__Shipper Hero Video Screenshot\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Benchmark-Analytics__Shipper-Hero-Video-Screenshot-1.png 1069w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Benchmark-Analytics__Shipper-Hero-Video-Screenshot-1-300x210.png 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Benchmark-Analytics__Shipper-Hero-Video-Screenshot-1-1024x716.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Benchmark-Analytics__Shipper-Hero-Video-Screenshot-1-768x537.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1069px) 100vw, 1069px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/benchmarking_101\" >\n\t\t\t\tBenchmarking 101 for Shippers\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/benchmarking_101\" aria-label=\"Read more about Benchmarking 101 for Shippers\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-394feed1 elementor-section-full_width long-form-faq-sec elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"394feed1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-26acafbe\" data-id=\"26acafbe\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-2a8f388c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2a8f388c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-51037927\" data-id=\"51037927\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3caa07b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3caa07b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>FAQs<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5325391e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5325391e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A few things you might be asking yourself<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4dc4ee3a\" data-id=\"4dc4ee3a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6073b3c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"6073b3c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1611\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1611\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What does OTR mean in trucking?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1611\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1611\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OTR, or over-the-road trucking, refers to long-haul driving where truckers transport freight across long distances, often traveling between states or coast to coast. OTR drivers typically spend extended periods on the road, sometimes weeks at a time, as they deliver goods to various locations. This type of trucking requires drivers to adapt to a life away from home, offering higher earning potential due to the increased demand and mileage. <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1612\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1612\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How many hours a day do OTR drivers drive?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1612\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1612\"><p>OTR trucking allows drivers to work up to 11 hours within a 14-hour window each day, as regulated by Hours of Service (HOS) rules. After being on duty for 14 consecutive hours, drivers must take a mandatory 10-hour off-duty break before resuming driving. While drivers can be on duty for up to 14 hours, only 11 of those hours can be spent driving; the remaining time can be used for breaks, fueling, inspections, and other duties. Additionally, a 30-minute break is required after 8 hours of driving to promote safety and reduce fatigue.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1613\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1613\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How much do OTR truck drivers make?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1613\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1613\"><p>Over-the-road trucking companies are always looking for new drivers, and they pay accordingly. Compared to other trucking jobs, OTR driver jobs typically offer a higher salary, though the exact amount can vary depending on years of experience, routes, types of loads, and more. The average salary for an OTR truck driver is $64,471 per year, and the median is $64,000, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=OTR_Truck_Driver\/Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PayScale<\/a>. However, some OTR drivers make as little as $42,000 per year, while others make $91,000 or more per year. Typically, those with more experience and certain endorsements make salaries towards the top of the range.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1614\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1614\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What is the difference between OTR trucking and LTL?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1614\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1614\"><p>OTR trucking usually involves long-haul routes, where drivers move full truckloads across states or regions. These trips are often direct, with few stops, and can last several days or more.<\/p><p><a href=\"\/solutions\/less-than-truck-loads\">LTL (less-than-truckload)<\/a> is used for smaller freight that doesn\u2019t fill an entire trailer. It operates on a hub-and-spoke system in which freight is picked up from multiple customers, consolidated at terminals, and moved through regional hubs using smaller linehaul trailers (often 28-foot). The final delivery is typically handled by a local driver.<\/p><p>While LTL shipments can travel long distances, the freight makes the journey via a network of handoffs. OTR drivers, on the other hand, usually stay with the load from origin to destination.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1615\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1615\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What licenses and endorsements are required for OTR trucking?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1615\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1615\"><p>To work in OTR trucking, you\u2019ll need a Class A Commercial Driver\u2019s License, which qualifies you to operate combination vehicles with a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more.<\/p><p>Be mindful of the automatic-only restriction (Restriction E). If you take your CDL skills test in a truck with an automatic transmission, your license will limit you to driving automatic vehicles. Testing in a manual transmission truck helps avoid this restriction and keeps your job options open.<\/p><p>You can also add endorsements to expand your qualifications:<\/p><ul><li>H endorsement for hazardous materials<\/li><li>N endorsement for tanker vehicles<\/li><li>T endorsement for double\/triple trailers<\/li><\/ul><p><br \/>These endorsements require passing additional written tests and, in some cases (like hazmat), background checks.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-47297490 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"47297490\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2a2d9359\" data-id=\"2a2d9359\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-522b1f1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"522b1f1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Find OTR freight with DAT!<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1f19fe8f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1f19fe8f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6d445662\" data-id=\"6d445662\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1113466e long-form-quote-sec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1113466e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ready to make your OTR trucking journey more profitable and efficient? With <a href=\"\/load-boards\">DAT One Load Board<\/a>, you can quickly find high-paying loads that fit your route and schedule. Access nearly 668,000 daily load posts, including 230,000 exclusive listings, all updated in real-time. Set custom alerts to catch top opportunities and use our mobile app for on-the-go convenience. Whether you&#8217;re just starting out or managing a fleet, <a href=\"\/load-boards#pricing\">learn how our flexible plans<\/a> can help you achieve success in OTR trucking.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6f96ea5a\" data-id=\"6f96ea5a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1442e035 pricing-boxv2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"1442e035\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\t\t\n                \t\t\t                \t\t\t\n\n                \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4e296c6b elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4e296c6b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-632c687a\" data-id=\"632c687a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14d3922d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"14d3922d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Relevant Products<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-3cb39c85 long-form-relevent-prod elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3cb39c85\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-61478f3b\" data-id=\"61478f3b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45637508 product-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"45637508\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"645\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/DAT-One-Card-Logo-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-22196\" alt=\"DAT One Card Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/DAT-One-Card-Logo-1.png 645w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/DAT-One-Card-Logo-1-250x300.png 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 645px) 100vw, 645px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-505d8928 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"505d8928\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Load Board<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b2f6664 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b2f6664\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Find the right load for the right truck<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f64a764 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"1f64a764\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"\/load-boards\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn More<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-644dcebe\" data-id=\"644dcebe\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d2756dc product-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6d2756dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"645\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/DAT-One-Card-Logo-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-22196\" alt=\"DAT One Card Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/DAT-One-Card-Logo-1.png 645w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/DAT-One-Card-Logo-1-250x300.png 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 645px) 100vw, 645px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-460818a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"460818a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Factoring<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21447d1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"21447d1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get paid fast and improve your cash flow<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71509086 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"71509086\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"\/factoring\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span 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elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-32b5fe7b elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"32b5fe7b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6abb39d6\" data-id=\"6abb39d6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63875fee elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"63875fee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Need more solutions? <br \/>\nTake  a look at everything we have to offer<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36c4e108 elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"36c4e108\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-xl\" href=\"\/products\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">See All Products<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>OTR, or over-the-road trucking, refers to long-haul driving that moves freight across states and regions. This guide explains what OTR means, how it compares to other types of trucking, and what it takes to succeed as an OTR driver.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":24371,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[71],"class_list":["post-18387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-long-form-seo-page"],"acf":{"contentType":"13","enable_arrow_icon":"no_button","featured":"0","releaseDate":"September 24, 2023","solutionProduct":["5"],"segment":"carrier","segment_copy":["carrier"],"topics":["1"],"keywords":"otr trucking; over the road trucking; otr meaning","video_link":"","audio_link":"","header_button_shortcode":"[dat_menu_flyout_centered  button_text = \"Find OTR Freight\"  text1=\"Buy Load board\" link1=\"\/load-boards#pricing\"  icon1=\"fa-truck-moving\"  text2=\"Try a Demo\" link2=\"https:\/\/cloud.comms.dat.com\/sales-inquiry-Truckersedges-demo\"  icon2=\"fa-cube\" target2=\"_blank\" text3=\"Request Info\" link3=\"https:\/\/cloud.comms.dat.com\/sales-inquiry-loadboards\"  icon3=\"fa-headset\" target3=\"_blank\"]","button_label":"Read More","internalUrl":"","button_target":"_blank","secondary_optional_buttonheader":null,"button_label__detail_page_optional":"","button_link_detailsub_page_bottom_section":"","featured_image_detailsub_page_optional":"","pricing_box":[{"header_title":"DAT One Standard","price_prefix":"From $","price":"[TE_STANDARD]","price_suffix":"\/mo","features":"","button_text":"Explore Plans","button_link":"\/load-boards#carriers-tab","additional_info":"<a href=\"\/load-boards\">Learn more<\/a>","target":"_parent"}],"disclaimer":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What does OTR mean in trucking?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn what OTR trucking means, how to become an OTR truck driver, and strategies for success on the open road.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18387\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What does OTR mean in trucking?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn what OTR trucking means, how to become an OTR truck driver, and strategies for success on the open road.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/what-does-otr-mean-in-trucking\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"DAT Freight &amp; 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