- The benefits of moving freight in the Northeast
- How you can overcome challenges with running in the Northeast
Bright lights, people from all walks of life crowding the streets, the smells of every type of cuisine you could imagine wafting into the streets. It’s the city that never sleeps.
Museums galore, young students eager to start their political careers, monuments to historical figures. Our nation’s capital.
Cobblestone streets, echoes of the revolution, a bell that rings true, cheesesteaks on the grill. The city of brotherly love.
We’re talking about New York City, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Fantastic places to visit? You bet! But to drive through? Absolutely not.
The Northeast can be a truck driver’s nightmare. Not only is it home to brutal winters, but the area is also notorious for its tight roads, heavy traffic, and impatient drivers.
For truckers like us, making turns, navigating busy roads, and paying for tolls — especially in cramped Northeastern cities — can be some of the biggest challenges of the job.
However, with patience, awareness, and the right strategies, drivers can successfully navigate these tricky situations — and make a lot of money doing so.
We’re truckers from Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), here to help you navigate the Northeast. After all, every load in the Northeast puts a good chunk of money in your pocket.
The Benefits of Trucking in the Northeast
If you’re willing to deal with the tight roads and heavy traffic, you’ll never run out of loads in the Northeast. Here are some of the reasons you’ll find it beneficial to run in an often-dreaded area.
High Freight Volume = Steady Work
With major cities like New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, D.C., the Northeast is a freight hotspot. Freight is always moving. Whether you’re hauling retail goods, pharmaceuticals, or fresh produce, there’s consistent demand.
Shorter Hauls and More Home Time
Since everything is closer together, many Northeast runs are regional or short-haul. For you, this could mean getting home more regularly — especially if you’re located in that region.
If you don’t like running coast to coast, you might like running in the Northeast for this reason.
Better Pay for Skilled Drivers
Navigating the Northeast isn’t easy, and companies know it. That’s why many offer higher pay for experienced drivers who can handle tight city streets and heavy traffic.
A Variety of Freight Options
The Northeast is home to diverse industries, which means you can haul anything from refrigerated goods to specialized freight like heavy equipment. Having options prevents you from waiting around for a load and it keeps your career moving forward.
Overcoming the Challenges of Trucking in the Northeast: 6 Tips
Running in the Northeast is challenging because the area is condensed. When you think about Texas and Montana, you think of wide-open spaces; it’s not the same for the Northeast. The infrastructure is much older than in other parts of the country, so the roads can be narrower. This can make maneuvering a truck especially difficult. The traffic also tends to be worse and the tolls are expensive.
Here are some ways you can navigate this area successfully and avoid some of the most common problems in the Northeast.
Tip #1: Be Patient
Patience is your top ally when running in the Northeast. There are a lot of frustrating factors ready to poke your buttons all day, every day. You can spend hours in traffic and barely move a mile.
Drivers can be aggressive and rude and they won’t want to let you change lanes to make your exit. The roadways can be confusing to navigate and the signs don’t always provide clarity. Not only that, but the tolls add up quickly if you’re an independent contractor or owner-operator paying your own way.
All of these little things add up and it’s really easy to react to all of them and indulge in a serious case of road rage. However, doing so can easily get you into trouble by way of violations, accidents, and rising blood pressure.
To be successful driving in the Northeast, you have to be patient and maintain that patience in your toughest moments. Some drivers do this by adopting a great stress relief routine after work with exercise and meditation. Some turn on their favorite chill tunes.
Here’s a perfect example of where patience is your best friend:
When making turns in congested urban areas, your patience will be tested. Sometimes, you might find yourself sitting at an intersection for multiple light cycles, waiting for the right moment to complete a turn safely. You might have to hold up traffic.
The key is to stay calm and avoid feeling pressured by honking cars or frustrated motorists. Rushing can lead to costly mistakes, so hold your ground and move only when it’s safe.
Use whatever strategy works best for you to remain cool and collected. Road rage isn’t the answer.
Tip #2: Eliminate Distractions
In high-stress situations, it helps to eliminate distractions. Turning off the radio, pausing conversations, and focusing solely on the task at hand allows you to maintain full awareness of your surroundings. The same can be done when you’re in high-traffic areas or navigating unfamiliar areas.
Turning is a great example of this. Every inch matters when navigating tight spaces, so giving the turn your full attention can prevent costly damage.
If you have a spotter or another driver assisting you while making a turn, ensure there’s one clear person directing you. Too many voices giving different instructions can lead to confusion and increase the risk of an accident. Whether it's a fellow driver or a dockworker, establish clear communication before you start maneuvering.
Tip #3: Plan Ahead
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Trip planning makes all the difference when it comes to all parts of your job as a truck driver. Planning ahead will help you save money, be more efficient, and arrive at your destination safely. It’s especially important when navigating tough areas like the Northeast.
Here are all the ways planning ahead and trip planning will help you:
- Fuel: Fuel is often more expensive when crossing into certain areas of the Northeast, so you have to be strategic and plan ahead with your fueling if you want to save money.
- Parking: Open parking spots can be scarce in the Northeast. Pay for parking ahead of time or start your day early so you can nab a parking spot before they’re gone. Some drivers immediately reserve a parking spot when they get a new load. Some will wait until they’re a few hours into their day, take stock of where they are, and then reserve a spot.
- Route Planning: The roads in the Northeast are tricky. If you don’t plan and review your route ahead of time, you can end up on roadways you shouldn’t be on or you could miss your exit. Missing your exit in the congested Northeast can lead to hours of delays as you try to reroute.
- Traffic Congestion: When you plan ahead, you can avoid being on the roads during the busiest times. You can save yourself hours of being stuck in traffic.
- Tolls: If you plan ahead, you can find ways to avoid tolls or save money on tolls. TollGuru is a great tool for calculating tolls and discovering faster routes to your destination.
Once you make your trip plan, make sure you’re very familiar with it — particularly when it comes to your route. Exiting on congested roads can be tricky, so you want to ensure you know your route and know where you need to be.
Tip #4: Call the Police for Help
Calling law enforcement may be one of the last things you’re thinking about as a truck driver, but they can help you out in sticky situations. The important part is to call them before you get yourself in a tough situation, not after.
Police officers are often aware of the challenges truckers face, so they’re going to help you. Don’t hesitate to follow their lead or ask for assistance if necessary.
The ways they can help you are endless. For instance, if you’re blocking an intersection due to a tight turn, an officer may step in to hold traffic or ensure you have the space needed to maneuver. They can give you an escort to get through certain areas. They can help you navigate and get to a shipper, too, or point you in the right direction.
By calling the cops and engaging in open communication, you can prevent a messy situation — some of which can result in hefty fines.
For instance, there are some roads or bridges you can find yourself on accidentally that can result in numerous fines and countless violations that can negatively impact your career and bankrupt you. Calling for help before you get into that situation can prevent career-ending mistakes.
Tip #5: Communicate Clearly and Ask Questions
In all your communications — whether with your dispatcher, a shipper, or the police — it’s better to over-communicate than to under-communicate.
Call customers ahead of time to get specific directions and information about the delivery location. Make sure you ask follow-up questions as needed and have a clear picture of what you need to do to make the delivery on time. This pre-call is essential; many drivers skip it but it’s an important step to help make you successful on your Northeast runs.
Be open with your driver manager about any concerns you may have with running in the Northeast. They can help you find truck-safe routes, plan your day to avoid heavy traffic, and answer any other questions you may have about running in congested areas.
If you’re uncomfortable running in certain areas — for example, some drivers will go into the Northeast but they won’t go directly into the boroughs of New York City — talk through this with your driver manager so they can support you and find you different loads.
Tip #6: GOAL: Get Out and Look
When in doubt, you should always get out and look (or GOAL, a phrase used at ATS often).
Before making any tight turn or pulling into a tight spot — especially in awkward spaces or unfamiliar locations — get out and look. Checking your clearances, obstacles, and blind spots beforehand can save you from a difficult or dangerous situation.
This simple habit can prevent accidents and ensure a smooth, safe turn or backing maneuver.
Safe Driving Tips
Driving in the Northeast presents unique challenges, but with patience, clear communication, and smart maneuvering techniques, truckers like you can safely navigate even the tightest, most congested roadways. By staying calm, using police assistance when available, and eliminating distractions, you can avoid accidents and keep your deliveries on track.
Trucking in the Northeast isn’t for everyone, but if you’re experienced and comfortable handling tighter roads, heavy traffic, and confusing roadways, it can be a lucrative and rewarding region to run. Plus, the shorter hauls and freight availability make it easier to stay busy and keep your truck moving.
If you have any go-to strategies for navigating Northeast roads, share your experiences and tips with us!
Check out these other safe driving tips and be sure to subscribe to our Learning Center or watch our podcast, Beyond the Road, for more driving tips.