Road Trip Planning Tips for Professional Truckers

An experienced truck driver understands the importance of planning each road trip ahead. Planned trips make for higher profits, while also easing stress on drivers. Having a set schedule for when you take breaks for meals, to re-fuel, and rest are vital to making it as a professional truck driver. Here are a few tips to help you on your journey. 

• Check the weather. Use a weather app on your phone to keep track of the daily forecast. Account for heavy showers, and if possible, plan your trip around bad weather areas. 
• Consider your location. If you are traveling in a mountainous region that requires a lower speed limit, and challenging driving conditions, then account for the extra time in your planning. Other things to consider include border crossings and expected traffic delays. If certain areas are prone to traffic build-ups later in the day, plan to arrive there extra early to avoid the crowds. 
• Plan fuel stops in advance. There can be a big difference in fuel prices from one state to the next. Do your research and plan ahead as to where you can get the best deal when filling up. 
• Grocery shopping. While the occasional restaurant stop is good for meeting new people and giving yourself a proper break, it’s good to stock up on foods to keep on hand during the day. Plan trips to stores with big parking lots able to accommodate your truck’s size. 
• Allow extra time. Always plan on allowing yourself more time than you’ll need. It’s good to leave extra room for the unexpected. It also looks good to clients when you arrive ahead of schedule. Keeping yourself ahead of time allows you to maintain proper speed without rushing, and to keep yourself safe while on the road. 
• Keep extra supplies on hand in remote areas. It’s extremely important to make sure you have food and essential supplies on hand, especially when traveling in remote areas. If you were to break down, you will be glad you took the necessary precautions. 
• Use an app. There are several apps out there that make road trip planning easier. Use Google maps as a way to add multiple destinations. Another great one specifically designed for truckers is the Smart Truck Routes, which is great for managing time. If your headed to pick up from a load use the DOCK411 app it is an excellent tool. 
• Keep maps on hand. While we live in a modern age of technology, there are times when things break down or you lose reception while on the road. In this case, keep some maps on hand for back up. It may also help to have a interstate travel guide on hand, such as The Next Exit, a complete guide of interstate highway exits.

Planning ahead can help to minimize stress while on the road. Keep a dated notebook of your planned itineraries, check in frequently with the weather and projected traffic to alter your schedule as needed, and with a little extra planning you’ll make your stops with plenty of time to spare. 

Best Truck Stops

Best Truck Stop.

Whether you need diesel stations to fuel up, looking for a delicious homemade meal like grandma used to make or just looking for a place with truck parking to rest, these are the best truck stops perfect for truck drivers.

• Creek Travel Plaza – Atmore, AL
• Karde’s 151 – Monticello, IA
• Gore’s Travel Plaza – Seiling, OK
• Association of Christian Truckers – Brownstown, IL
• BJs Travel Center – New Madrid, MO
• Hixton Travel Plaza – Hixton, WI
• Kwik Trip Travel Center – Austin MN
• Kwik Trip #202 – Plover, WI
• Refugio Travel Center – Refugio, TX
• Texas 87/ Tiger Truck Stop – Esperanza, TX

What Makes It a Best Truck Stop?

 Truck stops and travel centers with available truck parking, fantastic customer service and useful amenities like showers, repair services, laundry facilities and WiFi found themselves a cut above the competition.

It’s no secret, truck drivers love to eat. That’s why restaurant options and food quality were also included in our decision-making when ranking the best truck stops. The next time you are traveling through America, be sure to check out one of these nearby truck stops.

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Adding Value to Your Supply Chain

 

Demand to provide the optimal customer experience continues to escalate, and companies must continually seek out better ways to deliver customer satisfaction and retention. Many companies find that value-added logistics services help give their supply chain a competitive edge. Once limited to services such as shrink-wrapping, display building, and rainbow pallets, value-added capabilities now include everything from inscription and embroidery to configuring kits for e-commerce or inserting coupons or brochures in packages.

Wondering if it's time to add value to your supply chain? Duane Sizemore, senior vice president, marketing and business development with Saddle Creek Logistics Services, examines how value-added services can benefit your business.

1. Expand product offerings. From building gift baskets to creating twin-packs, value-added services help give your customers more buying choices.

2. Get products shelf ready. Value-added services such as price marking, tagging, and display building help to streamline the process of getting products on store shelves.

3. Enhance customization capabilities. Personalization is one of today's hottest trends. Want to offer a choice of embroidered logos on apparel? Allow customers to choose the face plate for their cellphone? Value-added services can help you deliver.

4. Manage inventory more efficiently. With the ability to customize products, you're able to stock fewer SKUs, thereby reducing the cost of carrying and managing inventory.

5. Reduce the number of suppliers. By asking your existing partners to perform more value-added functions, you can reduce the number of suppliers and streamline your supply chain. Even materials such as cardboard for displays can be shipped to a third-party logistics (3PL) provider to be built and sent out with customer orders to eliminate one step in the process.

6. React faster to changing business needs. With value-added operations close to the end customer, you can delay product configuration until the last possible minute to respond more accurately to customer demand.

7. Manage transportation costs. The closer packaging facilities are to manufacturing operations, distribution centers, or end destinations, the more cost effectively you can transport products.

8. Control labor costs. With automated solutions and careful review of supply chain processes, value-added services can help eliminate downtime and reduce the number of touches required in the packaging process—ultimately saving money on labor.

9. Ensure continuous improvement. If you team up with a 3PL, they can assist with process reengineering, packaging needs assessment, component purchasing, and supplier evaluation to ensure value-added services are delivering what customers demand.

10. Find a partner. Incorporating value-added services can be challenging. Experienced 3PLs can be valuable allies. They offer the flexibility and resources to accommodate unique requirements, seasonal fluctuations, and business growth. Many of today's 3PLs approach value-added services with a spirit of collaboration.