How Long Until Trucking Companies Slow Their Drivers Down Again?

[Mike]

Over the past year or three, many trucking companies have increased the speed of their trucks in order to retain current drivers, and recruit new drivers. I brought this up in the past here on the forum, and mentioned that it will likely not be permanent. Great idea to trick drivers though.

We have entered into an era, not sure for how long, of extremely high fuel costs. There will be a drop overnight tonight, but most likely it will continue to climb. Today's fuel prices are laughing at the fuel prices we witnessed in 2008.

In addition to higher fuel costs, we could also be witnessing a rate correction at the same time which could be bringing down historically high freight rates. The fight to drop freight rates is already in process in the spot market, just a matter of time until contract rates follow if this effort is successful.

Unless things change, the profit margins for trucking companies will be at extreme risk, and maximizing fuel economy will once again become a very high priority. What does that mean? Trucks speeds will have to be reduced and idle time will become highly scrutinized.

If you are a company driver, was your speed increased at all in the last few years? Any rumors circulating about your speeds being cut back?

 

[Phantom Trucker]

65MP/H is all I’ve ever had for speed. I’ve become accustomed to it and find it a good cruising speed. Especially since I what I do now doesn’t have appointments.

I am more curious to know how the companies that upped their driver pay to a buck a mile are doing.

 

[OldskoolironNwv]

65MP/H is all I’ve ever had for speed. I’ve become accustomed to it and find it a good cruising speed. Especially since I what I do now doesn’t have appointments.

I am more curious to know how the companies that upped their driver pay to a buck a mile are doing.

I cruise at 65 a lot myself. With my Oldskool mechanical engine I find over 5mpg doable at that speed. But as kinfolk always said, you work a horse and you’re gonna have to feed it…

 

[389 Hood]

But as kinfolk always said, you work a horse and you’re gonna have to feed it…

Especially if it meows.

 

[Mike]

I can announce that my company has slowed the fleet down, effective immediately

I ran to California this week amid the rapidly spiking fuel prices loaded heavy and running 70+ much of the trip. Not a lot of choice given the crappy start to my week and my need to make my delivery appointment for Thursday morning. Solar farm wouldn't take deliveries on Friday, and the only opening available for Thursday was early.

Once I delivered, I immediately decided to slow down. didn't help much Friday because I was driving in massive wind heading up to Kingman, AZ. Today, I drove across New Mexico and Texas, stopping here in El Reno, OK. Flirted around this trip with speeds of 58, 60, and up to 65. Also spent some time messing with the settings that allow me to coast down below the cruise speed (much like I drove for a long time without the cruise).

Pretty decent improvement in fuel economy today, definitely worth staying slower at this point, especially if rates continue to drop as fuel prices rise. Not gonna lie, I've been really lazy about fuel economy for a while with the rates we have been seeing and the lower fuel costs. Time to start paying attention again, LOL.

 

[mndriver]

Ran 58 mph across Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. Got 5.39

From new Paris Ohio to Strafford MO. 95k gross



The 6.21 was from jeffersonville OH to zanesville OH empty and from zanesville OH to New Paris OH at 95k gross.






The load prior taking me out of Minnesota.
The 5.55 was from Madison Wi to Lexington KY to jeffersonville OH and running 67 mph. This was 94k gross.

 

[Mike]

Ran 58 mph across Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. Got 5.39

44 across Missouri can make fuel economy very difficult.

 

[mndriver]

44 across Missouri can make fuel economy very difficult.

Yeah, it kinda always sucks on that road.

 

[Electric Chicken]

I ran 75mph bobtail and got the same MPG per the dash as when I run 62mph bobtail.

Too bad the same math doesn't apply when I have a box.

 

[Uncle Birchy]

65MP/H is all I’ve ever had for speed. I’ve become accustomed to it and find it a good cruising speed. Especially since I what I do now doesn’t have appointments.

I am more curious to know how the companies that upped their driver pay to a buck a mile are doing.

I cruise at 65 a lot myself. With my Oldskool mechanical engine I find over 5mpg doable at that speed. But as kinfolk always said, you work a horse and you’re gonna have to feed it…

On rural 4 lanes I often stay in the Granny Lane & run about 64mph.

My truck is set for 70 but I just get sick of playing that Stupid Passing Game all day long.

So screw it I'll go 63/64 and let rest of ya crazy bastards pass me by.

Alot less stressful that way.

Now Chicago Freeways a different story be running about my governor otherwise if ya don't keep up with traffic they'll run ya right off the road

 

[Electric Chicken]

On rural 4 lanes I often stay in the Granny Lane & run about 64mph.

My truck is set for 70 but I just get sick of playing that Stupid Passing Game all day long.

So screw it I'll go 63/64 and let rest of ya crazy bastards pass me by.

Alot less stressful that way.

Now Chicago Freeways a different story be running about my governor otherwise if ya don't keep up with traffic they'll run ya right off the road

Yeah I prefer to Schneider it up anymore. It frustrated me when I worked there but eventually it sinks in and you realize unless it's literally a full day of driving, you're not losing enough productivity to spend all day pissed off.

Let all the idiots blow by and just settle in for the ride.