A truck driver life can mean long days away from home. Once you’re on the highway, it’s just you, the truck, and the miles ahead. Stop for fuel, food, and rest when needed. Chat with other drivers on the CB radio to pass the time. Deliver goods across the country, keeping it running. This is the story of a day in a life as a trucker.
What is Life Like as a Trucker
As a trucker, your day starts early, usually around 5 or 6 am. You have a long drive ahead of you, so you want to get an early start. You might drive for up to 11 hours a day, so you spend a lot of time on the road. The hours are long, but for many truck drivers, the freedom of the open road makes it worth it.
A big part of a trucker’s job is delivering freight and materials to locations across the country. You have to load and unload heavy cargo, so it can be physically demanding work. Also, since you spend so much time driving, you often have to eat on the go. Truck stops and diners along the highway become your makeshift dining rooms.
When it’s time to rest, you sleep in your cab. Truck cabs are equipped with a bed, but space is a little cramped. It takes some getting used to, but for truckers, their cab becomes their home away from home.
Preparing the Truck for the Day’s Route
To get rolling for the day, you go through a routine to make sure your vehicle is ready to log those miles. Inspecting the tires is first things first, you check all tires for proper inflation and tread wear. Those tires are your only contact with the road, so they’ve got to be in top shape.
Pop the hood to check engine oil, coolant, power steering, and windshield washer fluid. Refill as needed—you don’t want anything overheating or running low during your long haul. Also, do a walk-around to test all lights—headlights, turn signals, brake lights, clearance lights, and flashers.
If you’re hauling cargo, double-check that it’s properly loaded and secured. Make sure weight is distributed, straps and chains are tight, and everything looks balanced. You want your payload to arrive in the same condition as when you left!
Hours of Driving Throughout the Day
As a long haul truck driver, you may spend long hours on the road driving each day. You start before dawn to get an early start and try to drive late into the evening to make good time. The Department of Transportation regulates how many hours you can drive in a day and week to make sure you get enough rest, but you still average 11 to 13 hours of driving most days.
Taking Mandatory Breaks and Rest Stops
It’s important to take regular breaks to rest your eyes and body. Look for well-lit rest stops, truck stops, or rest areas along your route. Pull over if you feel drowsy—your safety is a top priority.
The Hours of Service rules require you to take mandatory rest breaks to avoid fatigue. You must take a 30-minute break within the first 8 hours of coming on duty. Sitting for long periods can be hard on your body. Use rest stops as a chance to get out of the truck cab and move around.
Taking good breaks keeps you alert and safe behind the wheel. Make the most of your mandatory rest periods to rest your body, renew your energy, and ensure your truck is road-ready.
Ending the Day at a Truck Stop
After a long day of driving, you’re ready to call it a night. The first order of business is gassing up your big rig. With a full tank, your stomach starts rumbling. You head inside the truck stop diner and take a seat at the counter.
If you’re tired of eating out, you can prepare yourself a “home-cooked” meal using must-have trucker accessories such as a portable stove, frying pan or instant pot powered by an inverter.
After dinner, you’re ready to clean up and rest. In the morning, grab some coffee and breakfast, and then continue your journey on the road.
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