What is deadheading for a trucker?

Answer 1

Deadhead is when a truck runs empty. After delivering a load, you probably won't pick another one up out of that same location, so you'll run empty to get to the next load. That's deadhead. For a mileage paid driver, they'll be paid for all credited miles run - loaded or empty. For a percentage paid driver, they're paid a percentage of what the load pays to the truck, thus, they don't get paid for deadhead miles (although they can make a lot more per loaded mile than a mileage paid driver).