The truck left Lagos at six, it is now noon, and the person waiting in Abuja has no idea whether it is on the road, parked at a stop or stuck behind a broken-down lorry. They have called the driver twice and got no answer. By two o'clock, everyone is worried.
Most of this worry is avoidable. An intercity move is a long trip, and long trips go better when both sides agree, before it starts, how they will stay in touch.
Agree the plan before the truck leaves
Settle these four things at the pickup, in person, with the driver:
- Who will call whom, and at what points of the trip.
- The phone number of the person receiving at the drop-off.
- What the driver will do if the phone goes quiet for a while, for example in a poor network area.
- What happens if the truck has to stop for a long time.
Write the answers down. It takes five minutes and saves a lot of anxiety.
Two ends, two people
Every intercity move has a sender and a receiver. They are often different people. Give the driver both numbers, and tell the receiver which number belongs to the driver. If the receiver is a relative, a security man or a shop assistant, make sure they know what is arriving and when.
Our guide to preparing the drop-off before an intercity truck arrives covers keys, access and who signs.
A sensible rhythm of calls
You do not need to call every hour. That slows the driver and is not safe if they are driving. A rhythm that often works:
- A message when the truck leaves the pickup, with a photo of the load tied down.
- A short call or message at a midpoint, when the driver stops to rest or fuel.
- A call when the truck is an hour or so from the drop-off, so the receiver can get ready.
- A message when the offload is done.
Drivers should never be asked to answer a call while driving. Let them call back when they have stopped safely.
Photos that settle arguments
Photos protect both sides. Ask for a photo of the load before it leaves, and another at the drop-off before offloading. If something is damaged, the pictures show when it happened. Our piece on photographing the load at pickup and drop-off explains what to capture.
Customers can help by photographing their own items at pickup, including serial numbers on appliances.
Ready to move?
Request a truck or van on Sphere
Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.
When the phone goes quiet
Parts of a long route have patchy network, and drivers sometimes stop to rest. A missed call is not always a problem. Wait a reasonable time, send a message, and try again. If hours pass with no reply, call the person at the other end to see if the truck has arrived.
Do not assume the worst, and do not call a driver repeatedly while they are on the road. If a truck is delayed, what to do at the drop-off end lists sensible steps.
For drivers: tell people before they ask
Drivers who message first are the ones customers remember. A short note such as "Rest stop, back on the road in 30 minutes" is enough. If there is a problem, such as a flat tyre or a diversion, say so early and say how long you expect it to take. What to do when a truck breaks down covers the worst case.
Keep the phone charged. Our guide on keeping your phone charged and reachable has a routine that works.
What to do when the load arrives
When the truck reaches the drop-off, the receiver should count items against the list before the driver leaves. The checklist in counting and signing off an intercity load is useful for this.
How to do this on Sphere
Open the Sphere app and choose a truck for the intercity move. Add the pickup and drop-off, describe the load and put the receiver's name and phone number in the drop-off notes. Propose a price. Nearby verified drivers accept it or send counter-offers, and you choose one. Agree how you will stay in touch, and any loading and offloading help, with the driver before you accept an offer.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I call the driver on a long trip?
Not every hour. A message at departure, one at a midpoint and one near arrival is often enough.
Should I phone a driver who is driving?
No. Send a message and let them call back when they have stopped safely.
What photos should I ask for?
The load before departure and the load at the drop-off before offloading.
What if the driver does not answer for hours?
Message first, then check with the receiver at the other end before worrying.
Who should the driver have numbers for?
Both the sender and the receiver.
Request your move
Request a truck or van on Sphere
Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.
Get New Guides
Join Sphere's logistics insights list
New guides on moving homes, offices and business goods, sent to your inbox.
