Legal Weekly Mileage Limits for Commercial Truck Drivers

A truck driver can legally run between 2,500 and 3,200 miles in a seven-day period, depending on equipment speed, route congestion, and loading times. The strict ceiling is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, specifically the 70-hour/8-day rule. This rule mandates that a driver cannot drive after reaching 70 hours of on-duty time in any rolling 8-day period. While a truck capable of 65 mph could theoretically cover 4,550 miles if driven for 70 hours, real-world constraints like the 14-hour daily limit and mandatory rest breaks reduce this significantly. To maximize legal mileage, drivers must manage their 'clocks' efficiently. The 11-hour driving limit within a 14-hour window means that even the most efficient long-haul operations rarely exceed 650 miles in a single day. When factoring in the mandatory 34-hour restart period required to reset the weekly subtotal, the practical average for most OTR (Over-the-Road) drivers remains near 2,800 miles per week. DispatchTool helps operators track these limits by integrating ELD data to prevent HOS violations while planning routes that fit within the remaining legal drive time.

The 70-Hour / 8-Day Rule Explained

The primary legal constraint on weekly mileage is the FMCSA 70-hour/8-day limit. Under 49 CFR § 395.3, a motor carrier may not permit a driver to drive a commercial motor vehicle after having been on duty for 70 hours in any period of 8 consecutive days. This 'on-duty' time includes not just driving, but also pre-trip inspections, loading, unloading, and fueling. For a driver averaging 60 mph over their 70-hour limit, the maximum theoretical distance is 4,200 miles; however, since non-driving tasks consume roughly 10-15% of the clock, the actual driving capacity drops to approximately 60-63 hours, or 3,600 miles before the 8-day reset.

Daily Driving Limits and the 14-Hour Window

The 11-hour driving limit is the daily cap that prevents drivers from reaching their 70-hour weekly limit too quickly. A driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. However, all driving must be completed within a 14-hour window that starts when the driver begins any work activity. Once the 14th hour is reached, the driver cannot drive again until they have 10 hours of rest. If a driver spends 3 hours at a shipper in Chicago and 1 hour fueling, they only have 10 hours of drive time remaining in that window, limiting their daily range to approximately 600 miles at highway speeds.

Impact of the 34-Hour Restart

The 34-hour restart is an optional provision that allows drivers to reset their 70-hour clock to zero. By taking 34 consecutive hours off duty, a driver can start a new work week immediately rather than waiting for hours to 'gain back' from 8 days prior. According to American Trucking Associations (ATA) data, drivers using the restart effectively can often log 10% to 15% more miles per month than those running on a recap. However, the restart itself consumes nearly 1.5 days of potential transit time, meaning a driver who completes their 70 hours in 5 days and takes a restart will likely peak at 3,000 miles for that specific week.

Average Miles vs. Maximum Legal Miles

While the legal maximum approaches 3,500 miles, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) reports that the average OTR driver covers approximately 100,000 to 115,000 miles per year. Dividing this by 50 work weeks results in an average of 2,000 to 2,300 miles per week. The gap between the legal maximum and the actual average is caused by 'detention time' at warehouses, which Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data suggests can exceed 20 hours per week for some sectors. These unpaid, non-driving hours count against the 14-hour daily clock, directly reducing the number of miles a truck can legally travel.

Speed Governers and Regional Variations

Legal mileage is also dictated by the physical limitations of the truck and the speed limits of the region. A driver in the Northeast (I-95 corridor) facing 55 mph limits and heavy traffic will struggle to exceed 2,200 miles per week legally. Conversely, a driver in the Western United States (I-10 or I-80) where speed limits reach 75 or 80 mph can legally cover 700 miles in a single 11-hour shift. Furthermore, many large fleets use speed governors set at 62 or 65 mph, which creates a hard cap on weekly mileage regardless of available HOS hours.

ELD Compliance and Violation Risks

Since the 2017 ELD mandate, tracking legal miles has become automated. The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records every minute the wheels are in motion. Violating the 70-hour rule can result in a driver being placed Out-of-Service (OOS) for a minimum of 10 to 34 hours and fines ranging from $1,000 to $16,000 per occurrence depending on the severity and carrier history. FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS) scores are also negatively impacted by HOS violations, which can lead to higher insurance premiums, currently averaging $0.05 to $0.12 per mile for many small fleets.

Sources

FMCSA Hours of Service Regulations (2024) — https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations ATRI An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking (2023) — https://truckingresearch.org/2023/06/21/an-analysis-of-the-operational-costs-of-trucking-2023-update/ Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) Part 395 (2024) — https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-395

Frequently asked

Can a driver do 4,000 miles in a week legally?

It is virtually impossible to legally drive 4,000 miles in a 7-day week as a solo driver. To achieve this, a driver would need to average 571 miles every day without fail, which would require nearly 10 hours of driving daily at a constant 60 mph, leaving almost no time for the required 70-hour weekly limit or loading and unloading.

How many miles can a team driving pair cover?

Team drivers can legally cover 5,000 to 6,000 miles per week because the truck remains in motion while one driver rests. While one driver is in the sleeper berth for 10 hours, the other utilizes their 11-hour driving window, allowing the vehicle to operate nearly 22 hours per day.

Does the 30-minute break count against my miles?

Yes. FMCSA requires a 30-minute break after 8 hours of cumulative driving. This break must be taken as off-duty or sleeper berth time, which consumes 30 minutes of your 14-hour daily window, typically reducing your daily potential by 30 to 35 miles.

What happens to my mileage if I go over the 70-hour rule?

If you exceed the 70-hour limit, you must immediately stop driving commercial vehicles. You can remain 'on-duty' for non-driving tasks, but you cannot legally move the truck until you have gained enough hours back from the 8th day prior or completed a 34-hour restart.