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Team Driving vs Solo Driving – Which Pays More?

  • Michael Thomas
  • Jul 26
  • 2 min read

Updated: Aug 5

Wondering if team truck driving pays more than solo driving? Learn the pros, cons, and average pay rates for CDL-A team drivers vs solo drivers.


solo truck driver vs team truck drivers, CDL drivers comparison
solo truck driver vs team truck drivers, CDL drivers comparison

Team Driving vs Solo Driving: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to trucking careers, CDL-A drivers have two main paths:


  • Solo Driving – You drive your truck alone, taking required breaks and managing your own schedule.


    If you’re focused on maximizing your solo miles and home time, you’ll want to explore our Solo CDL Driver Jobs where we feature great pay and flexible routes.


  • Team Driving – You share the truck with another driver, alternating shifts so the truck runs almost non-stop.


Both options have their advantages, but when it comes to pay and miles, many drivers ask:


Does team driving really pay more than solo driving?


Let’s break it down.

How Much Do Solo Drivers Earn?


Solo drivers typically:

  • Cover 2,500–3,000 miles per week

  • Earn $0.55–$0.70 per mile, depending on experience & freight type

  • Take mandatory rest breaks, which means the truck isn’t moving during off-duty time

  • Flexible home time and consistency are key benefits—discover all our Solo Driver Opportunities.


Estimated Weekly Pay: $1,300–$1,800 per week on average


 How Much Do Team Drivers Earn?


Team drivers can:

  • Cover 5,000–6,000+ miles per week because one driver rests while the other drives

  • Earn $0.70–$0.85 per mile (split between drivers)

  • Get priority loads & expedited freight from carriers


Estimated Weekly Pay (per driver): $1,800–$2,500 per week on average


Even though team drivers split the mileage pay, the truck is running almost 24/7, which means more miles = more pay.


Why Do Team Drivers Get Paid More?


Carriers often pay higher rates for team drivers because:

  • Faster deliveries (expedited freight)

  • Less downtime for rest breaks

  • Better load scheduling for high-demand freight


This is why team drivers often have more consistent freight and higher annual income than solo drivers. Considering team driving or owning your own truck someday? Check out our Team Driver Jobs or Owner Operator Opportunities.


Pros & Cons of Solo vs Team Driving


SOLO DRIVING PROS

  • More independence

  • Choose your own schedule

  • Keep 100% of the pay


SOLO DRIVING CONS

  • Lower weekly miles

  • Less income potential

  • More downtime


TEAM DRIVING PROS

  • Higher miles = higher weekly pay

  • Priority loads from carriers

  • Built-in company (less lonely)


TEAM DRIVING CONS

  • Must share your truck & schedule

  • Pay is split between drivers

  • Requires good teamwork


Which Pays More?

Team driving usually pays more overall.


Even though you split the pay, you’re covering almost double the miles, which means more total income per week compared to solo drivers.


For example:

  • Solo Driver = 2,500 miles x $0.65 CPM = $1,625/week

  • Team Driver = 5,500 miles x $0.75 CPM = $4,125/week ÷ 2 = $2,062.50/week per driver


So yes—team driving can increase your take-home pay while keeping freight moving.


Ready to Start Team Driving?


If you’re looking for higher miles, priority freight, and bigger paychecks, team truck driving is the way to go. Whether you’re a husband-wife team or looking for a driving partner, there are premium team driving jobs available nationwide.


Ready to apply? Visit our Solo CDL-A Job Listings now.



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