What Drives Us to Trucking?

What drives us to trucking?

The art of driving a big rig mile after mile has been an insatiable desire for many men and women throughout the years.  The question is why?  What is it about the steering wheel that keeps us coming back for more?

Steam Powered Wagon

The Transportation of goods started before the big rig.  The term “Truck” was first recorded in 1611 when referring to small wheels on ships and cannon carriages.  In 1771 the term “Truck” was more commonly used when referring to carts used for carrying heavy loads. In late 1769 the first steam-powered wagon hit the market, followed by the first semi trailer over 100 years later in 1881.  Rudolf Diesel invented the first, low speed diesel engine in the 1890s, and it was then our love for the hauling the open roads was truly born.

Rudolf Diesel – Inventor of Diesel Engine

Fast-forward 100 years..the trucking industry employees approximately 8.7 million workers with 3.5 million being drivers. This works out to roughly 1 in every 15 Americans in the work force are employed within trucking.

Trucking offers the freedom of the open road, sites and scenery we may otherwise never see. There is comradery in knowing the ups and downs, good days and bad days of the men and women hauling down the road along-side you.

Unlike any other job, there is pride in knowing you are responsible for hauling gas, water, food and basic commodities that every family needs to conveniently survive each day.  Pay for a truck driver is up 7.8% compared to last year, with an average truck driver job now offered between $57,000 – $73,000 per year. Driver incentives are up and loads are abundant. Like the sun hitting the chrome on a new big rig, things are looking bright for the future of trucking!

What drives you to be a truck driver? Share your story…