Life on the road
Federal rules require at least 10 hours off-duty in every 24-hour period, so long-haul trucking means building a routine around that clock, not a fixed schedule -- here's what team driving, home time, and daily life actually look like.
Key facts
- Minimum daily rest
- 10 consecutive hours off-duty per 24 hours
- Source: Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations (SOR/2005-313), section 14, checked 2026-09-08
- Daily driving cap
- 13 hours driving / 14 hours on-duty per shift
- Source: SOR/2005-313, sections 13, 14, checked 2026-09-08
- Cycle 1 weekly cap
- 70 hours on-duty in 7 days
- Source: SOR/2005-313, section 26, checked 2026-09-08
- Cycle 2 weekly cap
- 120 hours on-duty in 14 days
- Source: SOR/2005-313, section 26, checked 2026-09-08
What's the difference between solo and team driving?
Solo driving means the truck stops when you need mandatory rest -- the federal Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations require at least 10 hours off-duty in each 24-hour period (section 14), with driving capped at 13 hours and on-duty time capped at 14 hours in a work shift (checked 2026-09-08). Team driving puts two drivers in the same truck, alternating between driving and resting in the sleeper berth, which lets the truck keep moving with far less downtime -- and usually means more miles and more pay per driver, in exchange for a lot less personal space.
How do hours-of-service rules shape a trucker's day?
Under the federal Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations, drivers are limited to 13 hours of driving and 14 hours of on-duty time per shift, and either 70 hours on-duty in 7 days (Cycle 1) or 120 hours in 14 days (Cycle 2) depending on which cycle their carrier runs (sections 13, 14, and 26), with mandatory off-duty resets in between. These rules exist to prevent fatigue-related crashes, and most fleets track them with an electronic logging device (ELD) rather than a paper logbook.
Home time and route types
Long-haul runs (multi-province or cross-border) tend to have the least predictable home time -- some positions get you home weekly, others every two to three weeks. Regional driving trades some pay ceiling for more frequent home time, often weekly or better. Local driving gets you home every night but usually pays less overall than long-haul once total hours are factored in.
Staying connected and staying sane
Cell coverage drops out for stretches on rural highways and in the North, so most drivers plan calls home and downloads (music, podcasts, shows) around known dead zones. Truck stops with showers, real food, and parking are unevenly distributed, and finding legal, safe overnight parking is a real daily planning problem, especially near major cities.
Sources
- Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations (SOR/2005-313), sections 13, 14, and 26 — accessed 2026-09-08.
Last checked 2026-09-08.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between long-haul, regional, and local driving?
Long-haul means multi-day or multi-week trips across provinces or into the US, usually with a sleeper cab. Regional means shorter routes that typically get you home every few days. Local means daily runs with you home every night, usually for the lowest pay ceiling but the most predictable schedule.
How much privacy do you get team driving?
Very little -- you're sharing a sleeper berth with another driver around the clock, with one of you resting or sleeping while the truck keeps moving. It works best with a compatible team partner and clear ground rules on habits, schedule, and personal space (2025 estimate, unconfirmed -- experiences vary a lot by team pairing).
How often do long-haul drivers get home?
It depends entirely on the carrier and route -- some long-haul positions get you home weekly, others every two to three weeks. Regional positions are built around getting home more often, sometimes daily or every few days. Always ask about expected home time before accepting a position.
Related guides
Off-shift entertainment
Some workers use off-shift downtime for regulated online gambling. If you do, only use operators registered in your own province -- see the regulated options by province, or pick your province below.
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