Team Driving vs. Solo Driving: Which Is Better?

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Two logbooks, one truck, and a whole lotta opinions

INTRODUCTION
Ask five drivers whether team or solo is better, and you’ll get six different answers—and maybe a few CB insults thrown in for flavor.

Some folks say team driving is a money-making machine. Others say it's one snore away from prison time. Meanwhile, solo drivers brag about peace, independence… and not having to smell anyone else's feet.

So which setup is actually better? Let’s lay it out—the facts, the real-life vibes, and the things recruiters never tell you.

KEY POINTS
🕒 Team Driving: Fast Money, Fast Burnout
Team trucking sounds sweet on paper. You roll double time, split the HOS, and run coast-to-coast with fewer stops. That means more miles, faster deliveries, and more money—especially for husband-wife teams or folks who trust each other.

But here’s the rub:

Sleep while the truck’s moving? Good luck.

Wanna pick where to eat? Flip a coin.

They snore? You suffer.

You argue? Now you’re trapped… with wheels.

Team driving can turn profitable real quick. But if your partner’s annoying, unreliable, or just not clean… the truck becomes a 70mph prison cell.

🚛 Solo Driving: Freedom with a Side of Silence
Now let’s talk solo. This is the lone wolf lifestyle. You set your own rhythm. Your own route. You park when you want, stop when you need, and control the aux cord like a DJ boss.

Pros?

No drama

Full control

Peace and quiet

Nobody judging your singing voice

But it ain’t perfect:

You do everything yourself (fuel, inspections, loading, communication, the works)

If you get sick, tired, or stuck—there’s no backup

More downtime = fewer miles = less $$$

So yeah, solo trucking is freedom… but freedom comes with a to-do list.

MONEY TALKS: WHO WINS?
This one’s tricky.

Team drivers can rack up serious miles fast—3,000 to 6,000 a week easy. If you’re getting paid by the mile and splitting it 50/50, that’s still solid money… if both drivers are hustling.

But you might also:

Split pay unfairly (especially if one driver is slacking)

Lose sleep = lower performance

Spend more on food or rest stops (two appetites, two habits)

Solo drivers don’t split income, which sounds great—until you realize you can’t run 24/7. You max out on HOS. You take more breaks. And every minute you're not rolling, you’re not earning.

So who wins?
👉 Efficient team drivers often out-earn solos.
👉 But disciplined solo drivers with the right loads can still do just fine—without sharing a steering wheel.

MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES
🧍‍♂ The Rookie’s Take
New drivers often start in teams, especially out of school. It’s faster training and an easier way to learn. But it’s also awkward, and sometimes uncomfortable.

You will learn fast… and you might also learn to sleep with one eye open.

💑 The Husband-Wife Dream Team
For couples who get along? Team driving is a goldmine. Shared goals, shared bills, shared lifestyle. You already sleep together—why not hustle together?

Just don’t let one person become “the driver” and the other “the assistant.” That’s how resentment grows faster than your MPG.

👤 The Veteran Solo
Seasoned solo drivers swear by the peace. They’ve had enough conversations, enough co-driver drama, and enough loud chewing. For them, solo = sanity.

Some say they'd rather take a pay cut than share their space again. That’s how sacred solo time becomes once you've tasted it.

INDUSTRY RESPONSE
Carriers love teams for long-haul freight and time-sensitive loads. It keeps wheels moving and customers happy. You’ll find bonuses, incentives, and recruiter hype all pushing the team model.

But solo drivers? They’re the backbone of the industry. They handle most regional, local, and specialized freight. And while they don’t get flashy love from recruiters, they keep the system moving.

So both models are needed. But carriers often favor whatever keeps freight moving 24/7—and that’s teams.

THE BOTTOM LINE
So which is better—team or solo?
👉 The answer is: depends on your priorities.

If you’re chasing miles and money, and you can tolerate someone else in your bubble, team might be the move.

But if you value your space, silence, and sanity more than a slightly bigger check, solo life might be your calling.

There’s no “best” way—just the best way for you.

CALL TO ACTION
💡 Here's the truth:
Whether you drive solo or in a team, your body and brain can only hustle so long.

Don’t just drive—build something on the side.
Use your off-duty hours to learn AI, create content, or launch an online income stream that gives you real freedom—on or off the road.

👉 Visit retirefromtrucking.com and start stacking skills that’ll outlast your logbook