When it comes to driving big semi-trucks, what do you think of? Many people automatically think of blue jeans, flannel shirts, ball caps and beards. All trademarks of a trucker, right? Not hardly. There is more to being a truck driver than those things, and women today are making 

headway in the trucking industry! Women truck drivers are becoming the future of big rig truck driving. 

As of April 2019, there were 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States, and of those, 7.89% were women. This may be a low percentage due to a variety of factors, one being the fact that many women have a family to raise and would therefore be sacrificing their time away from them. However, that does not mean that truck driving is a men only profession. Not only are some companies encouraging and recruiting women to become truck drivers, but women themselves want to get behind the big wheel. 

Benefits 

Women make contributions to the trucking industry, including being 20% less likely than men to be involved in a crash. According to Ellen Voie, the CEO and founder of the nonprofit Women

in Trucking Association (WIT), carriers often tell her that women take better care of their equipment, are easier to train, and have outstanding customer service and paperwork skills. Women are also statistically 45% less likely to participate in logbook violations and 60% less likely to commit hours of service violations. There are many positive benefits for women truckers. One major benefit is equal pay. Trucking companies do not pay their employees based on their gender, age, or ethnicity, but rather on mileage or the load of the percentage. Therefore, women receive competitive pay and benefits that trucking companies offer to their male counterparts. The mean wage for a commercial truck driver is $42,500 and women have more opportunity for advancement into management positions in the trucking industry than others. Female truckers also have a community of other women who are in the trucking industry to connect with. Besides WIT, which encourages the employment of women in trucking, promotes their accomplishments, and decreases obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry, REAL Women in Trucking is also a huge advocate. This organization provides their community of readers with information and support to educate women who want to have a career in trucking and to improve the lives of those who are already truckers. Family passes are also becoming popular among trucking companies. These family passes allow truckers to bring their spouses, children, or pets on the road with them. 

Challenges 

Being a truck driver isn’t easy for women. They have to face hardships such as leaving their family behind at home, sexism, lack of female accommodated truck stops, and safety issues. Safety concerns are one of the most common issues, and not just for women. Some of these 

concerns include poorly lit loading docks and being pushed to drive in inclement weather. Organizations such as WIT are working with truck stops to improve safety and recommending changes such as improved lighting and additional security guards. WIT also hosts self-defense classes and works with truck manufacturers to install safety alarms and ergonomic additions for female truck drivers in their cabs. Many trucks are designed and built for someone of a larger stature than the average woman. This can make for an uncomfortable drive which can prove to be a challenge when you are on the road for 10 hours or more. It is also likely that women truck drivers may encounter harassment due to this being a male-dominated field. To help with this, truck driving schools are providing female-led training for women who are new to the profession. 

Other Titles 

Not all women who are in the trucking industry are drivers. There are many women who are behind the scenes that work to make sure female drivers are being advocated for and who make sure their female drivers are safe out on the road. Women who work behind the scenes have careers in management and are trainers and advocates. There are even women who own their own trucking companies. No matter what type of career a female has in the trucking industry, it is an important one in order to encourage women to become truck drivers. 

The staff here at Direct Freight Services knows the importance of having women drivers and the things they can offer the trucking industry. Even though there is a shortage of female truck

drivers and it is a male-dominated field, that doesn’t mean women shouldn’t be celebrated. Whether it is driving a big rig across the country or working behind the scenes, women who work in the trucking industry care deeply about their job. They work hard, encounter many hardships, and sacrifice their time away from their family. Now that’s something worth celebrating!

The movie industry has long had a love affair with the trucking industry and why not?  The idea of freedom that comes with life on the road lends itself well to storytelling, whether it’s adventure, horror, comedy, or even romantic comedies.  It can be dangerous, the scenery beautiful, and you never know what’s coming around the bend.

Trucking movies became hugely popular in the 1970s when truck drivers were seen as cowboy heroes and the use of CB radios became popular but by the late ‘80s, trucking culture began to fade, and a new form of trucker movie was ushered in:  trucker horror movies.  In these, the drivers or the trucks themselves were the bad guys, usually ruthless killers with an ax to grind, so to speak, with some unsuspecting motorist.  

Being a truck driver in real life may not have chases or serial killers, but trucker movies are always a good time! 

Convoy (1978)

When you think of trucker movies, often the one that first comes to mind, at least for the older generation, is Convoy.  It was inspired by the country song of the same name by C.W. McCall.  It didn’t fare well at the box office but became a cult classic for truckers everywhere.  

Every Which Way But Loose (1978)

Another classic from the ‘70s.  Clint Eastwood stars as Philo Beddoe in this comedy as a truck driver and his buddy who always steals the show, an orangutan named Clyde.  Beddoe is a former trucker-turned-prize-fighter who falls for a country singer played by Sondra Locke.  When she feels he’s getting too serious, she flees, making it a romantic comedy/trucker/pursuit movie.

Flatbed Annie and Sweetiepie: Lady Truckers (1979)

The abundance of trucker movies in the ‘70s didn’t forget female drivers.  This one stars Annie Potts and Kim Darby as friends who take up the driving reigns after Sweetiepie’s husband is injured.  Between a repo man and hijackers, the two have their hands full.

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

This is one of the most popular trucker movies to date.  Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed star as drivers who have to make a strict deadline across the south.  Sally Field joins them as a hitchhiker who left her groom at the altar and they’re pursued across the country by the father of the groom, Sheriff Buford T. Justice, played by Jackie Gleason.

White Line Fever (1975)

Jan Michael Vincent plays a man who returns home from the Air Force to try and make it as a long-haul produce driver.  He finds the business rife with corruption and must fight it to survive.

Joy Ride (2001)

Paul Walker and Steve Zahn star as brothers in this cross-country thriller.  The two play brothers on a road trip when one taunts a mysterious truck driver known only as Rusty Nail who turns out to be a psychotic murderer seeking revenge.  Two sequels followed in 2008 and 2014.  

Maximum Overdrive (1986)

In this fun Stephen King thriller, the machines come to life after Earth passes near a mysterious comet and all the machines begin killing people.  The story centers around a group of people who are trapped at a truck stop and are being hunted by murderous trucks.

Trucker (2008)

This drama stars Michelle Monaghan as a truck driver whose 11-year-old son who she had abandoned years ago is left on her doorstep by his cancer-stricken father.  She does the only thing she can, takes him out on the road.  It also stars Nathan Fillion. 

Real-life driving is more professional than the average trucker movie but you can join in on the fun and enjoy some of these movies while you’re on the road.

At Direct Freight Services, our load board is one of the most comprehensive in the industry.  We provide a thorough, easy-to-use and up-to-date load board for shippers to post loads and for drivers to find them. Sign up today at Directfreight.com and see if Direct Freight can work for you!

Sources:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077369/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077523/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079159/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076729/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073896/?ref_=nv_sr_1

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206314/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091499/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1087527/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Cell phones and other mobile devices have quickly become one of the most helpful tools for truck drivers across the country.  There are apps that help drivers save money on fuel, food, and tolls; apps that save time with alternative routes to avoid traffic or bad weather; ones for communicating with loved ones or other drivers, entertainment, and better health.  Maps, chats, planning, and everything under the sun.  As they say, There’s an app for that!  

Here are just a few of the helpful apps available:

Driver Health Apps

Lose It―This free calorie-counter allows drivers to take control and eat healthier.  It allows users to set a goal and track their food intake so they can lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.  It has a database of thousands of foods, including fast-food restaurants.

Rolling Strong―This is a paid subscription app that is aimed at better health for drivers.  It focuses on nutrition, fitness, and sleep to help drivers in the program achieve better overall health. 

Entertainment and Communication

Skype―Being able to see your loved ones when you talk to them out on the road is much better than a phone call.  Skype allows you and your loved ones to easily connect with one person or your entire family to make life on the road feel less lonely.

Audiobooks.com―This app allows you to search their database of 150,000+ titles for audiobooks to listen to while you drive.  More than 8,000 are free and the app also lets you access more than 700,000 popular podcasts.

Time and Money Savers

Weigh My Truck―This app saves time by allowing you to weigh and pay while on the scale using your smartphone.  

Sygic Truck GPS Navigation & Maps―This popular navigation app is designed for drivers of large vehicles.  It has 3D offline maps, custom routing, traffic information, and more.

NOAA Radar―Real-time radar weather app with severe weather warnings so drivers can try to avoid bad weather that can slow them down. 

Gas Buddy―Developed in 2000, Gas Buddy was one of the first gas apps that relies on users to post gas prices around the country.  It allows users to filter by gas type so truck drivers can find the cheapest diesel near them.  

Direct Freight―Direct Freight’s load board app lets drivers search the extensive load database and filter loads that they wouldn’t want.  The easy-to-navigate app also allows drivers to post their truck.  It’s much more than a load board app and includes credit reports, reviews, and days-to-pay so drivers know exactly who they’re dealing with.  It also allows drivers to set alerts and has mapping and routing features as well as freight broker information.  

 Direct Freight is one of America’s leading load board services and now finding loads has never been easier than with their app.  To find out how Direct Freight can help you find the right loads and keep your trailer loaded go to DirectFreight.com today.   

Sources:  

https://www.loseit.com

https://rollingstrong.com

https://www.skype.com/en/

https://www.audiobooks.com/

https://catscale.com/cat-scale-apps/

https://www.sygic.com/truck

https://www.weather.gov/wrn/mobile-phone

https://www.gasbuddy.com

https://www.directfreight.com/home/#

To buy a truck or work for a carrier as part of their fleet is an essential question most truck drivers ask themselves at some point in their careers.  Both options have pros and cons and either choice could be a good career choice.

Advantages to Working For a Carrier:

• The truck belongs to the carrier, and associated costs and maintenance are their responsibility.
• Benefits like group health insurance and paid vacation time.
• There’s less financial risk.
• Less worry.  Your job ends when you’re done driving.
• No overhead.  The money you earn is the money you get.  No need to pay for repairs, maintenance, etc.
• It’s easier to quit your job to find a more suitable company.
• No start-up costs other than your CDL.  Just get in the truck and go. 

Advantages of Becoming an Owner/operator:

• More flexible schedule.
• While it’s not always the case, there is a potential to earn more money.
• Built-up equity in your truck.
• Not sharing a truck with other drivers.  Some companies do this and you may be left cleaning up after someone else.
• You’re your own boss.
• There could be tax advantages.
• The truck is customized to your liking.
• More choice of loads.

 There is no right answer to the question, only what is right for you.  Do you want to be your own boss with all of the responsibilities that go along with it or do you prefer the security of working for someone else?  

Becoming an Owner/Operator

Before taking the steps to become an owner/operator, take the time to examine the pros and cons of each.  It’s a huge financial step.  There’s nothing wrong with spending your career working for someone else.  Once you’re sure you want your own truck, you can begin taking steps to make it happen.

Obtain your CDL.  You need that for the operator part of becoming an Owner/Operator.  Some people pay for their CDL by taking advantage of programs that some carriers have where they pay for your CDL as long as you agree to work for them for a specified time period.  If you do this, you’ll have to meet those obligations before becoming your own boss. 

Get Money.  Any business needs start-up money and yours will mainly be for buying a truck.  If you don’t have the money, you can take out a loan or lease a truck.  

Get Licensed and Registered.  If you plan to operate as an interstate (across state lines) carrier you will need a USDOT number to transport cargo.  You can obtain  a USDOT number by registering online through the Unified Registration Program on FMCSA’s (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) website.  You most likely will also be required to have an MC number which is your authority to operate, also found at FMCSA. There is a one-time filing fee of $300.  Depending on the weight of your truck, you may be responsible for paying the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax.  More details can be found here.   

Get Insured.  The FMCSA not only requires insurance, but it also requires different types of insurance depending on your load, i.e. hazardous, etc.  Of course, if you are planning on hauling hazardous materials, you must obtain a special endorsement for your CDL too.

Find Loads.  Once you’re legitimate and ready to roll, how do you get loads?  A good load board can help you find lucrative loads that will help your business get off the ground.  You can search by type of load and region, and because you’re in it to make money and not drive around an empty trailer, load boards can help you fill those deadhead miles to maximize your profits.  

Becoming an owner/operator isn’t for everybody.  It’s definitely something that you have to be in it for the long haul, so to speak.  If you have what it takes, owning and operating your own truck can be a profitable and rewarding career choice.  

If you’ve decided to become an owner/operator, Direct Freight Services is the only load board you’ll need.   Direct Freight is a full-service load board that allows truckers to find loads and companies to post their available loads. The Direct Freight website also has many useful features such as a mobile app, credit reports and scores, mile calculators, fuel price data, weather conditions, turn-by-turn truck-specific routing, and more.  To see everything Direct Freight has to offer Owner/Operators, go to DirectFreight.com today!

Sources:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/get-mc-number-authority-operate

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/hvut/mod1/whatishvut.cfm

For carriers, keeping good drivers can be a challenge.  Whether there’s a driver shortage or an abundance of them, trucking companies want to keep drivers who are dependable and are going to stick around.  Carriers need to look for new ways to not only find reliable drivers but also to keep them happy.   Hint:  it’s not just about the money.

The trucking industry has been on a rollercoaster ride with a trucker shortage, massive layoffs, and a pandemic, and that’s just in the last year.  The coronavirus has left carriers and drivers alike closing up shop with their return uncertain.  Drivers who deliver food and essential freight are working overtime while others can’t find any loads.  When the dust has settled on this economic shutdown, drivers everywhere may be scrambling for work, giving carriers a good crop to choose from.

The Money

For most people, money is the most important part of their job.  After all, people need to support themselves.  Offer good pay, benefits, and bonuses.

Give Them Time At Home

If possible, give drivers a schedule that allows time at home.  This is particularly important when recruiting new, young drivers as hours away from home are the main reason that they turn elsewhere for employment.  Life on the road doesn’t appeal to everyone and for people with young children, long hauls are a deal-breaker.  One of the most underutilized groups of drivers are women and looking at ways that drivers can have shorter hauls may open up interest from younger or female drivers.  Many companies are now offering shorter routes and flexible schedules so employees can have more balance between work and home.

Show Them Respect

People want to feel respected.  If you treat drivers with respect and let them know that they are valued members of the company, they’ll take pride in the work they do for you.   Your place of business should be professional and welcoming to both men and women.

Create a Safety-Conscious Environment

Understand the safety concerns of all employees because their safety on the road isn’t just about avoiding accidents.  For women, long hauls are particularly dangerous but there has been much concern with trucks being robbed on the road during the coronavirus shutdown. It’s important that safety procedures are in place to protect drivers on the road. Offer seminars and training on how to stay safe out on the road by carrying pepper spray, parking in well-lit areas and other safety strategies that they may not be aware of.

Create a Team Atmosphere

Creating a team atmosphere makes drivers feel like they’re part of something and may make them want to stay with your company.

High turnover costs carriers money but if it is viewed as a puzzle with many pieces, they can improve driver retention, save money and have happy drivers.

At Direct Freight Services, we help shippers find carriers to bring loads to their destinations.  From short routes to cross-country, Direct Freight gives shippers the tools they need to find reliable truckers to carry the load.  For drivers and carriers, Direct Freight’s database of currently available loads will keep your trucks rolling.  Go to Direct Freight today to find out more about how this vital tool can help you.

On May 1st, a convoy of more than 70 trucks gathered on Constitution Ave. in our nation’s capital to protest the low freight rates that are crippling an industry already damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Rates have fallen to unsustainable lows with truck load rates down from an average of $1.79 per mile in Feb. 2020, to an expected $1.51 in May.  The protesters aren’t asking for changes in the rates but rather, more transparency when it comes to freight brokers.  Drivers have the same overhead they had before the virus hit―truck payments, insurance premiums, fuel costs, repair bills, etc. It is all still there.  Despite the lowered rates, many freight brokers are charging the same commission as before so the protesters are asking for more government regulation.  The drivers are asking that Congress require brokers to provide transparent transaction records upon service completion and eliminate clauses that keep drivers from accessing them.  

There have been some ease of restrictions for drivers who are hauling freight that’s considered essential, the 14-hour limit has been waived so the restriction doesn’t prevent necessities from being delivered quickly, but it’s not enough.  With the closure of bars, restaurants, and many stores, freight isn’t moving like it was before the pandemic so there are fewer available loads and many carriers and drivers, especially smaller operations, are really struggling.  Drivers who can find loads are barely breaking even.  With the major hit to the number of loads, drivers are finding it more difficult to fill deadhead miles and are returning with empty trailers.    For others, it’s more profitable to park their trucks.  

Of course, those who do get loads are opening themselves up to getting the virus.  With so many drivers prone to obesity and who smoke, they may be at greater risk for developing severe symptoms or even dying from the disease. Many owner/operators have chosen to stay home over contracting the virus driving through hot spots in states where the virus is more prevalent.  

As we gain control over the virus and the country begins to open up again, there may be lasting damage to the trucking industry.  Even when demand grows in this country, much of the freight comes from overseas, leaving us dependent on the re-opening of other countries so recovery may be slow getting off the ground.  When it does, there’s a real fear that after businesses begin to reopen and the demand for drivers climbs that many drivers will simply not return.  

The protesters in Washington, D.C. are looking for fairness, that if load rates are less during this time, freight broker rates will be less too.  They aren’t looking for Congress to step in and do something about the declining rates because, even with all the punches this virus has inflicted on the trucking industry, there’s still the belief that with recovery of the American people, recovery in the economy, recovery of our nation, will come the recovery of the trucking industry.  

Direct Freight Services is a web-based load board that can make finding profitable loads easier.  It has many helpful features like full credit reports, load filtering, payment expectations, and broker authority information.  Whether accessed online or now through our easy-to-use Direct Freight app, Direct Freight helps you find the right loads. Go to DirectFreight.com and start searching for those high-quality loads today!    

When you drive a truck for a living, making healthy choices can be difficult.  Some days the only vegetables you may get are the tomatoes on your burger and the only exercise, climbing in and out of the cab of your truck.

Making bad decisions is easy.  Eating right and making time to exercise while on the road is hard.  Driving a truck is like sitting behind a desk all day. It is a sedentary job, obesity is a common problem for long haul drivers. 

A 2014 study by the CDC  revealed that 69% of all long-haul truck drivers were considered medically obese.  The study also found that 61% of the drivers surveyed had two or more additional risk factors for chronic disease including hypertension, smoking, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity, and inadequate sleep. 

Finding healthy food choices while on the road can be a challenge but it can be done.  Here are a few strategies to help you succeed.

• Plan ahead. You’ll be more apt to grab a quick and easy fast-food meal if you don’t make some kind of a plan.  Start your day by researching and planning your stops so they include healthier options than the typical fast-food burger and fries.
• Look at the nutritional information.  Even fast-food restaurants put their caloric information on their menus or make it available to patrons.  To maintain weight, the average woman should take in 2,000 calories per day and the average man 2,500. A medium McDonald’s Big Mac meal comes in at a whopping 1,100 calories, nearly half of your daily caloric recommendation.
• Eat smaller meals more often. Having smaller-portioned meals more frequently rather than a few larger ones is better for your metabolism. Large meals cue your body to store it as fat. 
• Drink water. A 20-oz. bottle of soda contains around 240 calories and is extremely bad for you. Water, on the other hand, helps with digestion, flushes body waste, helps maintain blood pressure, delivers oxygen and nutrients throughout the body via the blood, and helps skin look younger. 
• Pack snacks. If you don’t have a mini-fridge for your truck, it’s a good investment for healthy eating. A fridge allows you to purchase healthy food when its available and save it for later when you may face limited choices. Pack fruits and veggies and hummus or other low-cal dips to snack on. 
• Make better fast-food choices. If you must get fast-food, choose whole-grain breads or buns, lean meats like chicken or turkey, skip the cheese and creamy dressings, choose sweet potato fries instead of regular ones. 

‘

Being a truck driver doesn’t have to destroy your health but it takes some planning and willpower to prevent it. If you make better dietary choices, squeeze in time for regular exercise, and don’t smoke, you’ll feel better, look better, and have a healthier life.

Direct Freight Services is a full-service load board dedicated to helping truckers find loads and companies to post their loads. The Direct Freight website also has many useful features such as a mobile app, mile calculators, fuel price data, weather conditions, turn-by-turn truck-specific routing and more.

To see how Direct Freight can work for you, go to DirectFreight.com today!

Pic:  https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/unhealthy-vs-healthy-white-two-street-1650828448

Sources:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/290814#benefits

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-many-calories-per-day

https://www.livestrong.com/article/312522-how-many-calories-are-in-a-big-mac-meal/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4511102/

One thing the coronavirus has made abundantly clear is that certain occupations simply cannot take a break because they are too vital to the people of this country to keep everything moving. Of these, doctors, nurses, and other workers in the health industry are the heroes fighting the enemy on the front line for those who have contracted the virus. Then there are those who are keeping the shelves stocked so we have food and other necessities to keep the rest of the country going during the crisis. We’re grateful for all of them.

However, there’s one group of workers behind the curtain that make all of that possible, those who supply food for the shelves and medical supplies for hospitals―truck drivers.

Truck drivers truly are the backbone of our country and without them, everything would grind to a halt. Throughout the pandemic, drivers are putting in long hours and facing possible exposure to the virus, all so essential workers can do their essential work.   Our entire infrastructure relies on them.

Difficulties on the Road

Life on the road in the shadow of the coronavirus has become more complicated for drivers.  Essential freight is still moving so for drivers hauling food and hospital supplies, work is plentiful. But with the construction industry coming to a halt, and stores and small businesses deemed non-essential shuttering their doors, drivers who haul goods to these businesses are struggling.

For drivers still out on the road, dine-in restaurants at truck stops have closed, leaving weary drivers with no place to relax and recharge outside of their truck.  Some have been able to leave their showers and laundry services open for drivers. Some have closed altogether. With fast-food restaurants closing their dining rooms, drivers have had to adjust their eating habits. Trucks don’t fit through the drive-thru lanes and if they park and walk up to the window, some refuse to serve them. Palmdale Sheriff’s office tweeted:  If you happen to be sitting in your car eating because the dining room is closed, & see a truck driver attempt to pull on a door, please ask if you can buy them a meal. Most places do not allow walk ups, and their rigs usually don’t fit. We owe them that much!

Because meals are unpredictable, more drivers are now bringing their own food on the road and preparing it with their own microwaves, cookers, and coffee makers.

Relief May Be On the Way

A proposal by Senate Democrats for a COVID- 19 Heroes Fund would provide eligible front line workers up to $25,000 in hazard pay for those deemed essential during the crisis such as medical workers, truck drivers, grocers, transit workers, and essential federal employees. While still in its early stages, this proposal speaks for many who believe something needs to be done for the dedicated workers who put themselves in harm’s way every day.  In the meantime, we wait for the curve to flatten.

Through this crisis and the economic recovery when it follows, drivers are unsung heroes.  So when people talk of the heroic front line, remember where their supplies are coming from.  And the next time you reach for a new roll of toilet paper, thank a truck driver!

Direct Freight Services is an essential tool for shippers, freight brokers, and carriers that allows users to post or find trucks and includes many features that will help move freight smoothly and efficiently.  Go to DirectFreight.com today to find out more.

Sources:

https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Heroes%20Fund%20FINAL%204.7.20.pdf

Long haul truck drivers are often away from their loved ones for days or even weeks at a time, making relationships of any kind a challenge at best.  Life on the road isn’t only lonely for drivers but is difficult for those who are left behind to carry on at home as well. These relationships can be healthy but like your truck, they require regular maintenance.

Spend Time Alone Together

When you’ve missed your family, there’s nothing that you want more than to spend time with all of them.  Even if you’re only home for a short time before you’re back out on the road, make time for one-on-one time with your significant other.  They are, after all, your partner in all this. Your children need some one-on-one time too. Talk about your plans together while you’re out on the road.  It gives everyone something to look forward to.

Stay Connected

Communicating with family while on the road has never been easier.  Call, text, and video chat whenever possible. Use video chat to have dinner with your family. It may not be the same but it’s the next best thing!  If you like video games, you can play apps or video games online with family during your downtime.

Bring Your Spouse Along

It’s difficult for someone who’s never been a driver to truly understand what it’s like to be out on the road for extended periods; hectic schedules, irregular meals, few stops, the stress.  Taking your significant other along for a run will give him or her a better understanding of what it’s like to be out on the road instead of filling in those blanks for themself. Conversely, when you’re home, be mindful of all the work that goes into running the household and all that needs to go on without your help while you’re not there.

Manage Your Stress

Being a truck driver is a stressful job.  Take steps to manage stress on the road like eating a healthy diet, getting exercise when you can, use meditation, listen to calming music―anything that helps to calm you.  The last thing you want is to go home with pent up stress from work. If you don’t bring your stress home with you, you’ll all have a much more enjoyable time while you’re there.

There Must Be Trust

Trust can be difficult when you’re away from home and infidelity is often a worry from both sides.  Doing a ride-along may be helpful so your partner can see that life behind the wheel is exhausting and not a big party.  Making time for each other when you’re home and talking frequently when you’re working will help to build a strong relationship with trust.

With work, long-distance, on-the-road relationships can be just as strong and healthy as those of couples who see each other every day.

One relationship you shouldn’t have to worry about on the road is with your load board!  Direct Freight Services is a web-based load board that has many helpful features like full credit reports, load filtering, payment expectations, and broker authority information.  Whether accessed online or now through our easy-to-use Direct Freight Driver app, Direct Freight helps you find the right loads. Go to DirectFreight.com and start searching for loads.  We’re always here to bring you the high-quality loads you need!

In our hectic lives, fitting in time to exercise is increasingly difficult. Who wants to get up early and go for a run or stop by the gym after a long day at work? It can be particularly true for truck drivers. Deadlines are tight, the hours are long, and sitting behind the wheel all day is mentally and physically exhausting. Because their jobs require so much sitting, drivers are often overweight and deal with an abundance of health-related problems. In fact, a study appearing in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine found that 69% of drivers were obese, compared to 31% of the rest of the working population. With a little work, drivers can change this statistic. Working out on the road may be difficult but it’s not impossible. With some effort and a little planning, you can get in shape and improve your overall health.

Hit the Gym

Some truck stops have been adding gyms to their list of amenities for truck drivers.  Truck Stop Centers of America (TA), for example, have been installing indoor fitness facilities along with outdoor installations that include basketball hoops, bowling, horseshoes, and walking trails for health-conscious visitors to use.

Look Around You

What opportunities for exercise along your route do you see? Walking paths? Hiking trails? Parks? Stop for a brisk walk or run. Is there a gym in the truck stop where you’re fueling up? They’re popping up at truck stops all over the country so it’s easy and convenient to stop in for a quick workout.

Bring Equipment With You

Space in the cab of your truck is limited but a couple of kettlebells or resistance bands take up little room. If you have room for a bike, in your cab or strapped to the back of the truck, you’ll not only be able to exercise but you can do some exploring too. It can give you a little freedom from the restrictions of driving a big truck around.

Set a Daily Goal

Tell yourself that you’re going to work out for half an hour a day. Split it to 15 minutes in the morning and 15 in the evening if that works better for you. Whatever you choose, walking, push-ups and crunches, or a gym workout, hold yourself to that goal.  Half an hour every day. No excuses.

A healthy diet is an important component to getting in shape.  After all, why would you want to undo all that work you’ve done exercising to get in shape by eating unhealthy fast food?  It is possible to eat healthier on the road. Get a mini-fridge for your truck so you can keep some fresh snacks like fruits and veggies.  Before you go out on the road, pick up some nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, and jerky in individual packets. They may be a little more expensive this way but it makes it easier to control your portions.  Hummus, cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and Greek yogurt are good protein-packed choices for the fridge.

Being a truck driver doesn’t have to be an unhealthy occupation.  Taking the time to exercise and eat better will improve your health, your mood, and your relationships.  A healthy driver is a happy driver!

At Direct Freight Services, we make happy drivers by posting up-to-date loads on our site.  We provide a thorough, easy-to-use and up-to-date load board for shippers to post loads and for drivers to find them. Sign up today at Directfreight.com and see if Direct Freight can work for you!

Sources:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ajim.22293

https://www.ymca.net

https://www.planetfitness.com