Question:
I am single, no kids, not much family I care to be around. What would be the point in going home? Is anyone else in this type of situation? May seem kinda sad, but there's no need to go sit in an empty apartment on your off days. Any speculation on this would be appreciated.

Answer:
So request time off in different cities and towns around the country and just hang out there.Maybe do a little sight seeing.Keeping in mind that if you are in Yuma,Az and you decide you want to spend the weekend in Vegas your DM probably won't just let you cruise up there for some time off.It does'nt work that way.

Answer:
Put your stuff in storage.
Explain the deal to dispatch and tell them that you'd like to spend your "home time" in a place you request.
Say for example;
This month, Wyoming
Next month, Northern California
etc.........
Pick places that you would like to visit, ask dispatch to try to get you there.
That's what I'd do in your situation.
If I need to be someplace on a cretain date, I tell dispatch (ya gotta keep reminding them), and they work like hell to get me there, whether it's home or anywhere else.
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)


Answer:
If you have a choice of loads to take.........ask for a load going in the direction you want to go.
Last week I took a load down to New Orleans. This gave me the chance to spend an evening with some good friends of mine that live near Alexandria. I had a great time! I also thanked dispatch for getting me there.
Remember, one hand washes the other. BUT! DO NOT run illegal! If you do, dispatch will remember that and expect you to do so each and every time.
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)


Answer:
""What would be the point in going home?""
To get away from the truck,truck stops and truck drivers.
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Answer:
Some things to keep in mind here...
1) The companies won't let you use their tractors as your personal transportation system during your time off.
2) Be sure to set the expectations with your company that you do expect to be off even though you don't have a home-base to go to.
3) Have you ever experienced the type of lifestyle you are talking about here? If so then you know what you are getting into. It is one thing to sit at home considering what it may be like, but quite another to actually live it.

Answer:
Originally posted by zigzag:
""What would be the point in going home?""
It all depends on a persons situation. In my case I am considering going back out to get away from my in-laws. (live right nextdoor to them ) My wife bought the house before we met. Without going into details, a lot of times it can be hell on earth. Right now for me being home only one weekend a month sounds kind of nice.

Answer:
I would hit the road if I were you, too! I just finished a six year relationship and it will be some time before I am interested in having another.

Answer:
1. If you don't get per diem and you file an itemized return, you lose the deduction for being on the road if you don't have a permanent home that you go to on time off.
2. Do you want to stay single? Hard to find a partner when you're never in one spot more than a few days at a time.
Up side: Some people are born in one part of the country and would be happier in another if they got the option. I've lived in MN, KS, and in TX for half a year. I agree with General Sherman that "[i]f I owned hell and Texas, I'd live in hell and rent Texas out."
Portland, Oregon looked cool when I was there on vacation but it wouldn't have been cool to me before I became more liberal. If you find that you don't like where you live or think another place might suit you better, you'd have the opportunity to check it out.
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."

Answer:
The trucking companies will love you!

Answer:
You will ALWAYS have to have a home of record, and not a post office box. Matters not whether you are there or not, in the matter of IRS rules, anytime spent away from that domicile is "road expenses".
My brother, who has no home, (so to speak), is a gypsy living in his truck. He often requests time of in different parts of the country, rents a car and goes buzzing around the neighborhood.
Lifestyle fits him, he gets to his "real home" about every two months to visit his kids and grandkids.
It can be done, but it sure is not for everyone!
The BEST of us discuss issues.
MOST of us discuss things.
The WORST of us discuss other people.
TruckNet's On line Job Applications.

Answer:
Being on the road with no "roots" can be a great way to live. Run hard, earn some money, then take a break in a place which looks interesing. I like to rent a convertible to cruise around in.
Sometimes I camp out under the stars AWAY from any highway noise...LOL
Check out the Rocky Mountains or the Northeast when the fall colors are bright... way cool!!!
Take time-off in the South during the winter and the North in the summer. Also, nothing like driving along the Pacific Coast in a convertible.
Some thoughs...
* Do ya like yourself for company? (mind being alone?)
* I have an older pickup and RV trailer in storage at an RV Park in Nevada (no State income tax) which gives me a physical address for taxes. (cost..$40/month)
* I sometimes move my trailer into the RV Park for a week stay off the road. It's a nice "base" for "project time".
* Watch your budget carefully and you can save money like crazy.. you can find "budget" hints in other forums.
* I like the Chrysler Sebring convertible.. you can rent a Corvette for special fun!!!
* Camping Gear.. PopTent (fast up and down plus easy to store in the truck), sleeping bag, 12-volt refer (also used in the truck), small propane stove (NEVER used IN the truck!!!), a soup pot and a coffee pot, and a fishing pole/small tackle box.. Then just add food items and paper plates!!!
* After 4-weeks on the road, "drowning worms" is very refreshing!!!
Give this lifestyle a try...you might like it!!
Be safe ou there and
KEEP LOOKING UP!!

Answer:
i'm in the same situation wish which is why i wanted to get into trucking in the first place. there is some good info on this thread. gives me some ideas.

Answer:
DO not spend 24/7/365 in that truck. You will go totally nuts real fast. Be sure to take time off, get out of that truck, even if it is just to spend a day or two bumming in a motel somewhere. As far as where to take your time off. Most companies will allow you to take time off pretty much anywhere as the other posters have said. You just need to work with your dispatcher. Just do not fully expect them to act like a travel agent for you. Also as already mentioned do not expect to be able to use the company truck as your personal transportation. Most companies I have worked for do not have a problem with a driver taking the truck across town to do some shopping, but they are going to have a problem if you drop your trailer and bobtail 600 miles to go fishing.
I know several drivers who spend months at a time on the road and only go "home" for a day or so every so often to make sure everything is OK. They pretty much run wherever the winds take them and if they see they are going into an area they would like to spend some time in they just talk with dispatch and request some time off there.
If you are not wanting to keep a house or apartment then I suggest that if you have a family memeber you get along with and can trust and would like to visit once in a while ask them if you can use thier address as your "home address" and have all your mail sent there. That way they can kind of screen your mail and if anything important looking comes in they can let you know.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
Originally posted by uturn2001:
DO not spend 24/7/365 in that truck. You will go totally nuts real fast.
Can I ask why?
They pretty much run wherever the winds take them
Wee...this sounds fabulous