How to Tell Line vs Load
Learn the key differences between line haul and local loads, including pay, home time, and how to choose the right fit for your driving career.
If you’re new to trucking, the terms “line haul” and “local” get thrown around a lot, but the difference matters more than you might think. Line haul means long-distance freight between cities, often overnight, while local means pickups and deliveries within a set region, usually ending back home each day. Your choice affects your paycheck, your home time, and your daily routine. Here’s how to tell them apart and decide which one fits your life.
What Is Line Haul?
Line haul is the backbone of freight movement: moving trailers from one terminal or customer to another, often 250 to 500 miles per leg, sometimes more. You’re on the road for days at a time, sleeping in the sleeper berth, and running mostly interstate highways.
- Pay structure: Typically paid per mile, ranging from $0.45 to $0.70 per mile for company drivers, or $1.50 to $2.50 per mile for owner-operators after fuel and expenses. A 2,000-mile week brings in $900 to $1,400 gross for a company driver.
- Home time: Usually 2 to 5 days out, then 1 to 2 days home. Some dedicated lanes offer weekly home time, but it’s not guaranteed.
- Driving conditions: Mostly highway miles, fewer stops, but more overnight parking and longer stretches behind the wheel.
- Physical demands: Less loading/unloading, but more hours sitting and managing fatigue.
What Is Local?
Local work keeps you within a 50 to 150 mile radius of your home terminal. You’re back most nights, but you trade highway miles for city traffic, multiple stops, and often physical work.
- Pay structure: Often hourly, $22 to $32 per hour, or per stop with a daily rate. Annual earnings range from $45,000 to $70,000, depending on overtime.
- Home time: Daily or every other day. You sleep in your own bed, which is a huge plus for family life.
- Driving conditions: City streets, tight docks, rush hour, and constant stop-and-go. You’ll deal with more traffic and less open road.
- Physical demands: Expect to load and unload, use a pallet jack, or handle freight. Some jobs are touch freight, meaning you’re moving boxes, not just driving.
Key Differences at a Glance
Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you weigh your options:
| Factor | Line Haul | Local |
|---|---|---|
| Home time | 2-5 days out, 1-2 days home | Daily or every other day |
| Pay type | Per mile ($0.45-$0.70) or percentage | Hourly ($22-$32) or per stop |
| Weekly earnings | $900-$1,400 (company) | $800-$1,300 (with OT) |
| Driving environment | Highways, long stretches | City streets, multiple stops |
| Physical work | Minimal | Moderate to heavy |
| Best for | Drivers who like the open road | Drivers with families or local ties |
How to Tell Which One a Job Is
When you’re scanning job boards or talking to recruiters, look for these clues:
- Job title: “Regional” or “OTR” usually means line haul. “Local” or “Dedicated Home Daily” means local.
- Pay type: Per mile or percentage of load = line haul. Hourly or per stop = local.
- Home time guarantee: If the ad says “home weekly” or “home daily,” it’s likely local or dedicated. If it says “2-3 weeks out,” that’s line haul.
- Radius: Local jobs often state a mileage radius, like “within 100 miles of terminal.” Line haul doesn’t.
- Ask the recruiter directly: “Will I be home every night?” If the answer is no, it’s line haul.
Which One Should You Choose?
Your decision comes down to priorities:
- Choose line haul if: You want higher per-mile pay, enjoy long stretches of highway, don’t mind sleeping in the truck, and can handle being away from home.
- Choose local if: You value daily home time, prefer predictable hours, and are okay with more physical work and city traffic.
Consider your family situation, your tolerance for solitude, and your physical stamina. A new driver might start with line haul to build experience, then move local once they have a year under their belt.
FAQ
Can I make more money with line haul or local? Line haul often pays more per mile, but local jobs with overtime can match or exceed that. A local driver working 50 hours at $28/hour grosses $1,400, similar to a line haul driver running 2,500 miles at $0.55/mile. It depends on the specific job and your hours.
Is local driving easier than line haul? Not necessarily. Local has more stops, backing into docks, and traffic, which can be stressful. Line haul is monotonous but less physically demanding. “Easier” depends on what you find draining.
Do I need a CDL for both? Yes, both require a Class A CDL for most tractor-trailer work. Some local jobs with smaller trucks might accept a Class B, but line haul always needs Class A.
How do I know if a job is really local? Ask the recruiter for the average miles per day and home time. If they can’t guarantee daily home time, it’s not local. Also check reviews from current drivers on forums like TruckersReport.
The Bottom Line
Line haul and local are two different careers, not just two job types. Line haul offers more highway miles and higher per-mile pay, but you sacrifice home time. Local gives you daily home time and steady hours, but you’ll deal with city traffic and physical work. Look at the pay structure, home time, and job description to tell them apart. Then match the choice to your lifestyle. If you’re still unsure, try a few months of line haul to build experience, then switch to local if you want to be home more. Either way, you’re driving a truck, and that’s a solid career.
Check the job postings this week and apply to one of each. You’ll learn more from a real interview than from any guide.