What a regional job is
Regional drivers run within one part of the country, such as the Southeast, the Midwest or the Northeast, instead of coast to coast. Trips are shorter than OTR, and you're usually home more often.
Home time
Many regional jobs advertise home weekly, often for a 34-hour restart or a weekend. Some get you home a couple of times during the week as well. As always, ask what "home weekly" means in nights at home.
Pay
Regional pay is usually cents per mile or a weekly salary. You may run fewer miles than an OTR driver, but more stops and more home time. Compare offers by what lands in a typical week, not the top rate in the ad.
Who it suits
A good middle ground for drivers who want steady miles without being gone for weeks. Some carriers want six months to a year of experience for regional work; others hire recent graduates.
Questions drivers ask
Is regional trucking home every weekend?
Many regional jobs are home weekly, but the details vary: some mean a full weekend, others a 34-hour reset. Ask how many nights at home you'd actually get.
Do regional jobs pay less than OTR?
Weekly miles are often lower than OTR, so gross pay can be lower, but many drivers find the extra home time worth it. Compare real weekly settlements.