As a truck driver you are well aware of the long hours, in the seated position, while watching the road pass by. Here are some helpful tips to keep your body limber, even while on the road.

Take Advantage of What’s Around

The easiest form of exercise is walking. Depending on weather and location, walking can be the most convenient option for physical activity. Checking out the local parks or walking around the parking lot of a truck stop can be an easy way to keep yourself moving.

A simple, daily 15-30 minute walk can greatly improve your overall health. Walking is great for your heart, increases your metabolic rate, helps tone your muscles, and can help protect your joints, especially in your knees and hips.

If the weather is unfavorable, you may consider purchasing a gym membership. Nowadays, several gyms have 24 hour access and with locations across the county. The 24 hour access is not only for exercise equipment, but most gyms have amenities such as showers and massage chairs to help relax your muscles. These amenities are excellent for a body that is often in a seated position. 

Stretching

Driving long distances means longer sitting times, which can lead to pain in your neck and back. Stretching your body before, during, and after a long drive can help decrease your chances of having any injury to your neck or back. 

Stretching can greatly improve your physical performance because it helps your joints move through their full range of motion, increasing your overall flexibility. Starting the day out with stretching will help enable your muscles to work effectively and decrease muscle stiffness. The more flexible your muscles and joints are the less risk of injury there is,  which means a smoother drive for you!

Consider keeping simple exercise equipment in your truck, such as a yoga mat or weights, so you can stretch and exercise your muscles while on the road.

Keep Healthy Snacks On Hand

Keeping active and exercising as a truck driver is very important, but we all know that exercise and diet go hand in hand. It can seem hard to eat right while on the road, especially if you have limited time to stop and eat. This is why keeping healthy, easy to grab snacks readily available can be a great benefit to help you maintain your overall health! Some examples of healthy on-the-go snacks would be:

• Trail Mix
• Jerky
• Popcorn
• Dried Fruit

Choosing nutritious and filling snacks may help avoid any hunger attacks while on the road and can play a large role in your overall health.

Truck driving can be hard on your body, but the journey to better health is all about developing good habits. Try implementing some of these recommendations to your daily routine and help guide your body back to good health!

Who said that you have to pull over on the side of the road each trip? Why not search along your route for some of the best truck-friendly national attractions to make the drive more interesting? Taking a break to give yourself some stimulus and take your eyes off the road for a little while is always a great idea. 

If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry because we’ve compiled a list of some of the best attractions to check out on your route. 

Carhenge Nebraska

Sounds familiar? We understand that you are likely not bringing an 18-wheeler right up to England’s Stonehenge, but interestingly enough there is a substitute. In Nebraska you can drive your truck to the Carhenge in Alliance that is modeled after Stonehenge. These vintage cars are a work of art and have been painted gray to resemble the stones. 

Keep in mind that the lot for this attraction can only really accommodate two at a time, but nothing is stopping you from pulling over on the side of the road near it. 

Hole N’ The Rock

Moab, Utah is  genuinely a gorgeous part of the country to drive through. With red canyons and mountains it is a picturesque postcard. There is also a cool attraction here for truck drivers. It’s called Hole N’ The Rock and it used to be a house that was carved into the rock. 

Now it serves as a museum and offers quick tours for those who want to do something stimulating. There’s also a zoo and trading post for more fun in the area. There is parking for trucks, so no need to worry about this. 

Garden of 1000 Buddhas

One of the most jaw-dropping sights you may ever see is the Garden of 1000 Buddhas that sits in Montana. In Arlee, Montana there is a garden full of hand sculpted buddhas statues sat in a serene countryside town. If you want to tour this place you will most likely want to make an appointment, as the only non-appointment options are Saturdays at 1 PM. Parking is free and there is plenty of space. 

Unique Sights

These are just a few of some pretty amazing and unique sights! Things like the world’s largest ball of twine, the world’s largest rocking chair, and other incredible sights are worth the stop. Stopping at sights like this on the way makes the long days behind the wheel manageable. 

You also get to stimulate your brain,  learn something new, and see something unique! Be sure at each of these locations that the pandemic has not affected the hours or parking! That way you don’t drive out of your way for nothing! 

When you sign up for a career in trucking, most of your journeys will be behind the wheel. For most drivers this is the best place in the world to be, but as you continue in your career, you will learn the dangers of living behind the wheel. From natural hazards like snow, ice, wildlife, and wind, to dangerous drivers, poorly marked signage, and fatigue, there are many obstacles a driver may face on his journey from pickup to delivery. It is up to the driver to understand how to face them.

Highways and Byways

America’s road system is incredibly vast. There are 4.18 million miles of roads (artba.org/) and over 164,000 miles of those 4.18 million are highways (dot.gov). This is a massive expanse and there are drivers on all parts of these highways all the time because transport is a necessarily huge industry. As a long-haul driver, you will likely encounter many of these miles. There are many factors to keep track of to ensure you are staying safe that local drivers are usually less concerned with including, driver fatigue, loss of cell service in case of emergency, and truck theft hotspots. 

As a local driver who stays in a regional area, you will most likely avoid predatory truck thieves, but you will become well acquainted with driving in crowded areas. Many regional drivers spend much of their time traveling on roads within towns and cities, and these tend to get busy especially around mealtimes. In addition to this, regional drivers are more subject to needing to watch out for events, detours, and pedestrians, as these are all more probable obstacles on main streets than the interstate. 

The Path You Choose

Whether you choose the local or long-haul route, driving can be a fulfilling career with the benefit of getting to know the nation or your local area better. However, safety behind the wheel is the most important thing to consider as you embark on your next journey. Here is a quick pneumonic tool to help you remember important safety tips and tricks for all modes of driving: SAFE, Start your journey with a truck inspection, Ask questions when you are unsure, Follow all speed and safety regulations, Expect that something may go wrong and have a plan to adapt. 

While remaining vigilant and following safety regulations is hopefully intuitive, the other concepts may be new to you. Starting your trip off on the right foot is quite simple, making sure you got enough sleep and have the right supplies in your truck can be a great first step. Before you embark on your next journey, you should check up on your truck by performing a quick inspection on the tires, brakes, fluid levels, lights, and doors/locks, which can save your truck and even your life (or someone else’s).

Now for asking questions and expecting something to go wrong, these two go hand in hand. If you are ever unsure about something regarding your route or your truck, asking questions about it can always be a great place to start. As you are creating a game plan for if something goes wrong with your truck or you face a road hazard, ask questions to your company or more experienced drivers who will gladly give you safety tips!

Final Thoughts

As you go about getting ready for your next journey, reflect on your current safety practices to see what’s good and functional and try to remediate what may be unsafe. Having a safe drive will expedite your trip, ensure you are less stressed, and keep the American transport and highway system running smoothly. Thank you for your service!