I don't want to own the truck, just drive. How shifty are the hours and about how many days away from home?

First job,  2000 to 2600 miles a week most weeks, 28 to to 35 cents a mile for most entry level jobs.  Most jobs won't get you home more than every other weekend.  With the exception of hauling refer, most jobs will have you driving normal daytime hours.

A GOOD starting Job, like Maverick is 2500ish miles a week,  40 cents per mile (after a short probation) and home 45+ weekends a year. 34 to 48 hours most weekends.

I was OTR for several years. It sucks.  Now I have a dedicated regional route.  I'm normally home 5 nights a week,  though this summer we've been down 3 drivers,  so I'm doing my job and that of a driver that quit. I hate it,  but I'm paying 500 to a grand a week to kill debt. Summer is almost over though.

The regional route seems like a better gig. I'm just thinking out loud as I question wanting to change to a less stressful career.

I go to the fire dept to relax.

I often question my decision to "retire" from the FD.  Those 24 hours away were pretty relaxing.

Dan,

If you don't mind me asking ...who do you drive for/where do you drive out of?

I've often thought of trying to get on a route with Con-way or similar.

I work for a tiny company based out of Russellville,  our runs are all out and backs within 500 miles of little rock.

Stay away from swift.