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How to Provide Pickup & Delivery ETA

Sam
Updated

Introduction

The ETA (estimated time of arrival) feature in the Driver App keeps drivers, dispatchers, and shippers on the same page about when vehicles will be picked up and delivered. Accurate ETAs mean fewer delays and fewer follow-up calls. This article explains how to add, update, and manage pickup and delivery ETAs.

ETAs Use the Location's Time Zone

ETAs are entered and shown in the local time zone of the pickup or delivery location, not your current location. You don't need to convert to Central Time.

  • Pickup ETAs use the pickup location's time zone.
  • Delivery ETAs use the delivery location's time zone.
  • The time zone is shown next to the ETA, so drivers and shippers see the same time.

How ETAs Work

ETAs appear on each load card, so you can quickly see whether an ETA is missing, coming up, or overdue. The Driver App asks for ETAs at two points:

  • Pickup ETA: When a new load is assigned to you.
  • Delivery ETA: After you mark a load as picked up.

You can update an ETA at any time from the load details if your schedule changes.

How to Add or Update ETAs

Step 1: Add a Pickup ETA

  • When a load is assigned, the load card shows Provide Pickup ETA. Tap it to open I Will Arrive at Pickup.
  • Choose a date, then pick a time window, such as 6–11 AM, 11 AM–4 PM, or 4–9 PM, or tap Specify time.
I Will Arrive at Pickup screen in the Driver App with the date picker open, a note that times use the pickup location's Eastern Time zone, and time windows from 6 to 11 AM through 4 to 9 PM
  • If you choose a later date than scheduled, you'll be asked for a reason: Traffic, Weather, HOS, or Other.
  • Tap Submit ETA.
I Will Arrive at Pickup screen with a later date selected, a prompt to choose a reason, the 6 to 11 AM window selected, and a Submit ETA button
Specify a reason options Traffic, Weather, HOS, and Other above the arrival time windows in the pickup location's Eastern Time zone
Note: If you haven't added a pickup ETA by the day before pickup, the app sends you a reminder. An ETA is considered overdue two hours after the end of the time window you chose.

Step 2: Add a Delivery ETA After Pickup

  • After you mark the load as picked up, the app asks for a delivery ETA. You can add it right away or later.
  • Choose a time window or specify a time, add a reason if you'll be late, then tap Submit.
Note: If you send the BOL before adding a delivery ETA, the load card shows a Provide Delivery ETA alert until you add it. A delivery ETA is overdue two hours after the end of the time window you chose.

Step 3: Edit an ETA

  • On the Loads screen, open the load.
  • Find your current ETA in the load details, below Driver Instructions, and tap the clock icon.
  • Choose a new time and tap Submit.

ETA Reminders

The Driver App sends notifications to remind you to add, confirm, or update ETAs:

  • Request: When a new load is assigned, you're asked when you plan to pick it up.
  • Confirmation: On pickup day, you're reminded to confirm or update your ETA.
  • Overdue: If the time passes without an update, you're reminded to adjust your ETA.
Driver App load list with three ETA notifications, asking when you'll pick up, reminding you pickup is scheduled today, and warning you're running late, each pointing to its load card

Terminals and Multi-Driver Loads

When a load moves through a terminal or between drivers, each driver adds their own ETA:

  • First driver: Adds a pickup ETA in the pickup location's time zone, then marks the load Delivered to Terminal.
  • Next driver: Adds a delivery ETA in the delivery location's time zone when picking up from the terminal, then marks the load delivered.

Best Practices

  • Check your schedule before you submit an ETA. Remember the time zone is the location's, not yours.
  • Update your ETA right away if weather, traffic, or other issues cause a delay.
  • Check your load list often. Missing or overdue ETAs are always flagged on the load card.

Not seeing your ETA update? See How Sync Works in the Driver App.

Next Steps

Dispatchers: learn how to assign or reassign a load to a different driver.

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