[jrock08]

Set up a distribution center on I90 30 miles outside Chicago (e.g. Gary Indiana) set up a distribution center on I80 30 miles outside New York (e.g. Paterson NJ). Use human drivers for the last 30 miles, and automation to drive the rest. The route doesn't go through any heavily trafficked areas except Gary and Cleveland, which you could avoid by starting the route at 9pm for a 9am arrival with travel through Cleveland occurring at 2am. I'd say that with current technology we could probably do this in less than a year. Since trucks cost about 150k new and truck drivers can't drive 12 hours straight, the economics of full automation are much easier to justify.

[pacnw]

Having driven back and forth from Chicago to New York a couple of times, I would welcome autonomous trucks driving throughout the night, especially if they strictly adhere to the right lane at a moderate, passable speed. Once night falls, truckers take over the road, and they typically like to go at or slightly above speed limit, making it less of a cozy environment for regular sedan drivers.