Overnight & weekend routes
Trucking Shift Pay Calculator
Overnight and weekend driving routes come with shift differentials that add up fast. Enter your weekly schedule to see your base pay, night differential, weekend differential, and total gross pay — all calculated correctly for your pay period.
Weekly schedule
Enter your total hours for each day. If the shift included overtime or a differential (evening, night, weekend, or holiday), use the dropdown to select the shift type — the pay split is calculated automatically.
Gross pay summary
Regular pay
40.0 hrs × base rate
Overtime pay
6.0 hrs × 1.5×
Total differential pay
$118.08Night differential
$72.00Weekend differential
$46.08Gross pay
$1,294.08
Annual estimate: $33,646.08
How Overnight and Weekend Trucker Pay Is Calculated
How Trucking Differentials Are Structured
Most carriers pay overnight and weekend differentials as flat dollar amounts per hour — not percentages. Common ranges: $0.50–$2.00/hr extra for overnight driving (typically 10pm–6am), $0.50–$1.50/hr for weekend runs. Some carriers structure it as extra cents-per-mile on overnight routes. To use this calculator, convert your cents-per-mile premium to an approximate hourly amount based on your average speed.
Overtime and the Motor Carrier Exemption
- • Drivers of vehicles over 10,001 lbs in interstate commerce: exempt from FLSA overtime under the Motor Carrier Act
- • Drivers of vehicles under 10,001 lbs: generally entitled to standard overtime
- • Intrastate-only drivers: subject to state overtime laws, which vary significantly
- • Non-driving dispatch and yard workers: typically covered by standard FLSA overtime
Using the $/hr Toggle for Flat Differentials
Because trucking differentials are usually flat amounts rather than percentages, use the $/hr toggle in the Adjust Differentials panel. Enter your overnight premium (e.g., $1.50) in the Night field and your weekend premium in the Weekend field. The calculator multiplies your flat rate by the hours logged under each shift type and adds it to your base pay total.
Calculating a Mixed Week of Day and Overnight Runs
Log each driving day with the correct shift type. Day routes go under "day shift," overnight hauls under "night shift," and weekend runs under "weekend." If you drive overnight on a Saturday, use "weekend" — or split it by logging both shift types if your carrier pays both premiums. Entering your full week gives you an accurate gross pay total before deductions.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
Do truck drivers qualify for shift differential pay?
Yes — many trucking companies pay overnight and weekend differentials to attract drivers for less desirable routes and hours. These are typically flat-rate additions ($0.02–$0.05 extra per mile, or $1–$3/hr flat) rather than percentages, though some carriers use percentage-based differentials. Use the $/hr toggle in the differential settings to enter flat-rate amounts.
Are commercial truck drivers entitled to overtime pay?
Most commercial truck drivers are exempt from federal FLSA overtime under the Motor Carrier Act exemption if they drive vehicles over 10,001 lbs in interstate commerce. However, drivers of smaller vehicles (under 10,001 lbs) or those operating purely within one state may be entitled to overtime. Check your state's labor laws and your employment classification.
How is overnight driving pay typically calculated for truckers?
Overnight differential for truckers is usually a flat dollar amount per hour driven between certain hours (e.g., 10pm–6am). Enter your base hourly rate, log your overnight hours as "night shift," and use the $/hr mode in Adjust Differentials to enter your flat overnight premium. The calculator will show your total gross pay including the overnight add-on.
Do DOT hours-of-service rules affect how I calculate my pay?
DOT hours-of-service rules limit driving time for safety — they do not directly change how your pay is calculated. Your gross pay is still based on your hourly or mileage rate plus any differentials for the hours you work. Shift Diff Calculator handles the pay math; DOT compliance is a separate tracking requirement.
I drive both days and overnight in the same week — how do I calculate my total pay?
Log each day with its shift type. Day driving days use "day shift," overnight routes use "night shift," and weekend runs use "weekend shift." Set your base rate and your overnight/weekend differentials (use $/hr mode if your differential is a flat amount). The calculator totals everything including any overtime.
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