Team truck driving is when two CDL-licensed drivers share a single truck, taking turns behind the wheel so the vehicle stays on the road nearly around the clock. A two-person team can cover 4,500 to 5,000 miles per week, compared to 2,400 to 2,800 miles for a solo driver running the same route. We’ll cover how team driving works, how pay is structured, and how team driving compares to going solo.
Key Takeaways
- Team drivers cover nearly twice the miles of solo drivers.
- Pay is split but typically higher per driver. Most team drivers take home more weekly than they would running solo on the same route.
- Federal hours-of-service rules still apply to each driver individually.
- Team driving is not for everyone. Spending extended time in a cab with another person requires trust, communication, and flexibility.
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How Does Team Truck Driving Work?
Team truck driving puts two CDL holders in the same truck. One driver operates the vehicle while the other rests in the sleeper berth. When the active driver reaches their 11-hour limit, the resting driver takes over. This rotation keeps the truck moving almost continuously, which is how teams cover far more ground than any solo driver could in the same period.
Both drivers must stay within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hours-of-service regulations. The rules apply to each driver individually, not to the team as a unit. Pay is typically calculated by total miles driven and split between both drivers.
Most teams are formed by spouses, friends, or driving partners who both hold a CDL. Spouse and couple teams are especially common in long-haul trucking. Some carriers may actively recruit husband-and-wife teams and offer dedicated team lanes, shared benefits packages, and home-time schedules designed around couples running together full-time.
While some companies require both applicants to be fully CDL-certified before pairing, others provide CDL training as part of onboarding.
Pro tip: If you don’t already have a driving partner, many carriers can pair you with a compatible driver based on schedule preferences, goals, and driving style. Check out our list of the best team driving companies to see which carriers offer matching programs.
How Many Hours Can Team Drivers Work?
Each driver on a team is subject to the same FMCSA hours-of-service limits as a solo driver. The core rules are as follows:
- 11-hour driving limit
- 10-hour off-duty requirement: After reaching the 11-hour driving limit, each driver must take at least 10 consecutive hours off duty, with at least seven of those hours spent in the sleeper berth
- 60/70-hour weekly limit: No driver may drive after reaching 60 hours on duty in seven consecutive days or 70 hours on duty in eight consecutive days
- 34-hour restart: After reaching the 60 or 70-hour limit, a driver must take at least 34 consecutive hours off duty
Because two drivers rotate shifts, a team truck can run up to 22 hours in any 24-hour period. One driver completes their 11-hour shift while the other rests, then they switch. The truck never sits idle waiting for a single driver to complete their mandatory rest period.
How Many Hours Can Solo Drivers Work Per Day?
Solo drivers follow the same regulations, but because there is no one to take over, the truck must stop when the driver’s 11-hour limit is reached. That mandatory 10-hour break is the key constraint that limits solo drivers to far fewer miles per week than teams running the same routes.
How Many Miles Do Team Drivers Drive Per Week?
The mileage difference between team and solo drivers is significant. Here is how the two compare on average:
| Driver Type | Average Miles Per Week | Key Reason for Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Team drivers | 4,500–5,000 miles | Two drivers rotate shifts; truck runs nearly around the clock |
| Solo drivers | 2,400–2,800 miles | One driver capped at 11 hours; truck sits during mandatory rest |
To put that in perspective, the driving distance from New York City to Los Angeles is approximately 2,800 miles. A solo driver at peak output covers that distance in about a week. A team driving the same route can complete it and be well into the return trip in that same window.
How Does Team Driver Pay Work?
Most carriers pay drivers on a per-mile basis. Team drivers typically earn a higher per-mile rate than solo drivers because of the value they deliver through faster delivery times, less freight downtime, and access to time-sensitive priority loads that solo drivers cannot reliably take on.
Here is how the pay math typically works for each setup.
Team Driver Pay Example
Two partners drive 4,800 miles in a week at a combined team rate of $0.50 per mile. Total earnings for the truck come to $2,400. Split evenly, each driver takes home $1,200 for the week, or the equivalent of $0.25 per mile driven by either partner. Many carriers also offer sign-on bonuses specifically for team drivers, which can boost first-year earnings further.
Solo Driver Pay Example
A solo driver working for a carrier that pays $0.35 per mile who covers 2,600 miles in a week earns $910. Even though the solo driver’s per-mile rate is lower and the total miles are fewer, there is no split. The solo driver keeps 100% of what they earn. Whether that comes out ahead depends on the specific rates and mileage each scenario produces.
Which Driver Type Earns More?
In most cases, team drivers earn more per driver per week than solo drivers running the same routes. The higher total mileage more than offsets the split. That said, earnings vary significantly by carrier, freight type, region, and individual driver experience. Some intermodal driving jobs pay above average for solo work, with top earners reaching approximately $68,000 per year according to ZipRecruiter. At competitive carriers, team drivers can earn up to $90,000 annually.
Team Driving vs. Solo Driving: Pros & Cons
Not sure which setup fits you best? Here’s a breakdown of what each option delivers.
Pros of Team Driving
- Higher earning potential: More miles per week at a higher per-mile rate typically results in more take-home pay per driver than solo driving over the same period.
- Priority freight access: Shippers with time-sensitive loads prefer team drivers because the truck keeps moving.
- Built-in security: One driver stays with the truck while the other eats, showers, or rests. Freight is never left unattended, which matters for high-value or expedited loads.
- Companionship on long hauls: Cross-country runs can be easier with a partner.
- Hours-of-service flexibility: The truck keeps rolling during mandatory rest periods because the other driver takes over.
Cons of Team Driving
- Limited privacy: You share a small cab with another person for days or weeks at a time.
- Disrupted sleep: Some drivers struggle to get quality rest in a moving truck berth, which affects alertness and overall health over time.
- Less schedule control: Both drivers have to agree on timing, stops, and routing.
- Partner dependency: If one partner quits, gets sick, or loses their CDL, your operation stops.
- Long time away from home: Extended time on the road can be hard on family life, particularly for drivers with young children.
Pros of Solo Driving
- Full schedule control: You decide when to stop, where to eat, and how to plan your route.
- Privacy and space: The cab is yours. You set the temperature, the music, and the pace. Drivers who value solitude often find solo work more sustainable long-term.
- Better sleep quality: You rest while the truck is parked, not while it’s moving down the highway.
- More freight type options: Solo drivers have access to a wider range of freight, including tanker, flatbed, dedicated routes, intermodal, and local or regional runs that involve frequent stops.
- No partner risk: Your operation does not depend on another person.
Cons of Solo Driving
- Lower earning ceiling: Solo drivers are limited by hours-of-service rules in a way team drivers are not.
- Isolation: Long-haul solo driving means extended periods alone. Even drivers who prefer solitude can find the isolation weighs on them during multi-week OTR runs.
- All the responsibility falls on you: Loading, route planning, truck maintenance, and safety are yours alone.
- Fewer breaks: With no partner to cover, stopping means the freight stops too. Solo drivers often push through fatigue to meet delivery windows in ways that team drivers do not have to.
Freight Preferences: Team vs. Solo
The type of freight you want to haul is worth considering before you commit to either setup. Team drivers and solo drivers typically handle different kinds of loads, and your freight preference can drive the decision as much as your social preferences or income goals.
Team drivers primarily handle dry van and refrigerated (reefer) freight. Most of the loads they take are no-touch, power-only cargo, meaning drivers drop off one trailer and hook up another without unloading. This keeps the truck moving efficiently and aligns well with the team driving model.
Solo drivers have access to a broader mix of freight types. Dedicated freight, tanker, van truckload, intermodal, and certain flatbed loads are all common solo assignments. Solo drivers are also better suited to routes with frequent stops and local or regional accounts, where hands-on freight handling is part of the job.
If you want to work tanker, flatbed, or a route with multiple daily stops, solo driving is likely the better fit. If your priority is fast-moving, long-distance freight with consistent miles and minimal handling, team driving aligns well with that preference.
Is Team Driving Worth It?
Team driving is a strong option for CDL holders who want to maximize mileage and earnings, and it works equally well for new drivers who benefit from having an experienced partner during their first years on the road.
| Factor | Team Driving | Solo Driving |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly miles (estimate) | 4,500–5,000 | 2,400–2,800 |
| Earning potential | Higher (split but more total miles) | Lower ceiling, 100% kept |
| Freight type | Dry van, reefer, priority loads | Broader mix including tanker, flatbed, intermodal |
| Schedule control | Shared with partner | Full control |
| Privacy | Limited | High |
| Sleep quality | Variable (moving truck) | Better (stationary rest) |
| Security | Higher (partner present) | Lower (driver alone) |
| Best for | Drivers who want max miles, couples, new drivers with a mentor | Experienced drivers, those who value independence |
If you’re ready to explore team driving opportunities, our guide to the best team driving companies covers the top carriers by pay, home time, and freight type. Carriers like GP Transco, Schneider, Heartland Express, Werner Enterprises, H.O. Wolding, and C.R. England may recruit team drivers and offer team-specific pay packages.
FAQ
What is a team truck driver?
A team truck driver shares a single truck with one other CDL-licensed driver. The two drivers alternate operating the vehicle and resting so the truck can stay on the road nearly continuously. Both drivers are still subject to federal hours-of-service limits individually.
How do team truck drivers sleep with the truck moving?
Team drivers sleep in the sleeper berth behind the cab while their partner drives. Modern long-haul trucks are equipped with a full sleeper compartment that includes a bunk, storage, and in many cases climate control. Sleeping in a moving truck takes adjustment, and some drivers find it harder to get quality rest than they would in a stationary location.
How many hours can team truck drivers drive per day?
Each driver is limited to 11 hours of drive time per day under FMCSA hours-of-service regulations, followed by a mandatory 10 consecutive hours off duty. Because there are two drivers rotating, the team as a unit can keep the truck moving for up to 22 hours in any 24-hour period.
How many miles do team drivers drive per week?
Team drivers can average 4,500 to 5,000 miles per week. Solo drivers can average 2,400 to 2,800 miles per week. The difference comes down to the rotation: a team truck runs nearly around the clock, while a solo truck must stop for the driver’s mandatory rest period.
Why do team truck drivers make more money?
Team drivers earn a higher per-mile rate than solo drivers and cover significantly more miles per week. Even after splitting the total pay between two drivers, the higher gross mileage typically results in more take-home pay per driver than solo operations over the same period. Team drivers also gain access to time-sensitive priority loads that pay more because they require faster delivery times.
How are team driver earnings split?
Pay is typically split evenly between both drivers based on total miles driven by the team. Some carriers calculate pay per driver based on the miles each individual drove, but even-split arrangements are more common. It is worth clarifying the exact pay structure with any carrier before you accept a position.
Do I need my own partner to start team driving?
No. Many carriers offer team-matching programs that pair drivers based on location, schedule preferences, mileage goals, and compatibility. If you already have a partner, most carriers will accommodate that. If you don’t, ask your recruiter whether the company offers a matching service before you apply.
Is team driving better than solo driving?
It depends on what you value. Team driving offers higher earning potential, access to priority freight, and built-in companionship on long hauls. Solo driving offers more schedule control, privacy, better sleep quality, and access to a broader range of freight types. Neither setup is objectively better. The right choice depends on your income goals, personality, and the type of driving career you want to build.
