Route assignments reach drivers either the evening before or early morning, depending on warehouse availability and last-minute customer changes. Most shifts begin between 4:00 AM and 7:00 AM from a company terminal or approved equipment location after completing vehicle and trailer inspections plus dispatch confirmation.
Drivers typically handle 2–6 delivery stops per day with a mix of drop-and-hook and live load/unload operations at distribution centers and retail receiving docks. Dock procedures vary by location — some stores assign doors immediately while others require waiting for availability, paperwork review, and seal verification before unloading begins.
After the final stop, drivers return equipment to designated yard or terminal parking. Dispatch coordinates any needed adjustments during the day for traffic, customer delays, or hours-of-service limits so that the next day’s loads stay on schedule. Peak retail periods increase both stop count and warehouse congestion.