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How far before you stay in a hotel

Canadian_digger

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Joined
Oct 31, 2007
Messages
811
Location
Ontario
Just got a call for a job 1:45 away from home. Could last about a month, they want two backhoes on site. How far will you guys drive every day before you get a hotel?

We don’t normaly work more than an hour away from home.

Work day is looking like 8hrs.
 

RZucker

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Joined
Jul 7, 2013
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4,077
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Wherever I end up
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Mechanic/welder
Just got a call for a job 1:45 away from home. Could last about a month, they want two backhoes on site. How far will you guys drive every day before you get a hotel?

We don’t normaly work more than an hour away from home.

Work day is looking like 8hrs.
I used to run a 1.5 hour commute both ways in a 21,000 lb service truck, it wasn't bad, gave me plenty of plan/unwind time. Much more than that I would set up the camper somewhere.
 

td25c

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2009
Messages
5,250
Location
indiana
I don't do that anymore .

Finally figured out we had to many customers within 25 miles that needed help .:)

Two hour drive was my limit to stay overnight close to the job site .

We were working cell tower & communication jobs at the time .

All depends on what the job pay's and people involved ?
 

crane operator

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
8,274
Location
sw missouri
With 8 hour days, 7-3:30, you could be home just after 5. Leave at 5. If you were working 12 hour days, then you just don't have enough time for almost 4 hours of driving. I couldn't head for a motel at 3:30 in the afternoon, I'd head home.
 

Mobiltech

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Jan 14, 2014
Messages
1,680
Location
Sask.
Occupation
Self employed Heavy duty mechanic
Its nice to get home every couple days but i would stay in a hotel if its one night or drive home every second or third night. If you're driving a service truck its pretty costly to road it home every day.
 

AzIron

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
1,541
Location
Az
I'm with crane op if it was 12 hor hour days I would look at a motel until then just drive

I regularly end up an 1.30 one way especially with traffic so an 1.45 not much issue
 

willie59

Administrator
Joined
Dec 21, 2008
Messages
13,361
Location
Knoxville TN
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Service Manager
Rough number, 100 miles. I can do that in a couple of hrs, no big sweat. Any number higher than 100 miles makes a motel more practical. And just an 8 hr day at work, 100 miles or less...I'm heading to the house.
 

Junkyard

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2016
Messages
3,621
Location
Claremore, OK
Occupation
Field Mechanic
I’d break it up a little. That drive will get old fast. I’ve tried it every way possible over the years and there really isn’t a hard and fast rule for it. I’d be tempted to stay Monday night as that’s usually the hardest day of my week getting back into the swing of things. Maybe come home Tuesday and Wednesday night then stay Thursday. There are times I can plan it like that and others I’m just along for the ride :)
 

thepumpguysc

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Mar 18, 2010
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Sunny South Carolina
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Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
I took a job that was a 2 hr drive both ways.. I did it for about 6 months & ended up buying a mobile home & stayed during the work week & home on the weekends..
Work Hrs were 5am-4pm.. which meant I was out the door at 3am.. which meant I was UP around 1:30am showering & drinkin coffee & what-not..
It is very rural out here & the deer were insane.. it wasn't a matter of IF I was going to hit a deer at that hr of the nite/morning.. it was WHEN..
I did THAT for 3 years & decided it was time to go home.. I took a 2000.00 lose on the mh & that was fine w/ me.. I couldn't have paid rent anywhere else for 2000.00 for 3 years..
If your job is only for 1 month, TRY driving it for a week & see how it goes.. Maybe a used camper is something to think about.?? OR try a local campground.?? They will rent u a camper for a month.. & probably have room for a co-worker to split the cost.??
 

CM1995

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Jan 21, 2007
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13,248
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Alabama
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Running what I brung and taking what I win
How much is it going to cost to drive you and your crew 3 HRS a day for a month? Sometimes a motel is cheaper than fuel and wear and tear on your pickups. I would put a pencil to it.

Can you work 10-12 HR days?
 

Canadian_digger

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2007
Messages
811
Location
Ontario
We will be working hourly for a rail road. So they will determine how many hours are worked a day. They said they work 10 hrs days but will only be using us about 8 hrs out of the 10 hrs

The job is actually for the whole summer. But as we move down the rail we will be getting closer to home. At the end of the job we will only be 30min away from home.
 

Tones

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Mar 15, 2009
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3,059
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Ubique
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Ex land clearing contractor, part-time retired
For 1.5 hours was cheaper to stay overnight than drive no matter the work hours. Calculate the full running cost's of your vehicle against accommodation without meals. You require tucker no matter where you are.
 

cuttin edge

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Nov 9, 2014
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NB Canada
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Finish grader operator
Depends on how long a day. In the 90s I did 16hr days and tried to get home every night to be with the girl friend. Not too much sleep. This fall I did 3 hours a day with a 10 hour work day. It was only for 2 weeks, but not much family time. Still better then being 2000 miles away for 5 weeks at a time
 

Old Doug

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Oct 16, 2013
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4,484
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Mo
How old are you and how many ? I drove about that far for 4 years to a job i wouldnt do that agin. I dont sleep good in a strang place so i wouldnt do it.If you dont have a cheap ride you can easly pay for one on this deal.
 

td25c

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2009
Messages
5,250
Location
indiana
That traveling to job sites is a young fellers gig in my opinion .

Go for it when you can ! :cool:

After a little age sets in priorities change .

Family issues like need to take the kids to basketball practice & such .

Make damn sure the job pays good while out because its time you won't get back .:)
 

cuttin edge

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Nov 9, 2014
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NB Canada
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Finish grader operator
Seeing that you are from Ontario, gets me thinking about my sister. She lives in Oshawa. For 6 years she worked in Mississauga, and she had to be ready for a 1hr plus drive every morning with the traffic.
 
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