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The Caves: What Is It Like Driving Underground?

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What’s the most interesting place a job has taken you? Igloo City in Alaska? The deserts of the Southwest? The world’s largest truck stop? For some truckers, the answer is easy: “The Caves” under Springfield, Missouri.  

 

The Caves, officially named Springfield Underground, is a 3.2 million square foot temperature and climate controlled warehouse located entirely in a former limestone mine. With over 3 miles of lit roadway, 224 dock doors, and immediate access to I-44 and US-65, a trip to The Caves is an exciting change of pace for any truck driver. 

 

So what’s it like to drive in such a unique place? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Springfield’s ‘Caves’.  

 

A Brief History  

What initially began as a limestone quarry in 1946 was turned into a mine midway through the 1950s. The original Griesemer mine remained active until 2015, even after construction on the first underground warehouse began in 1960.  

 

The first warehouse was built through a partnership between the then-named Griesemer Stone Company and real estate investment firm Security Terminal. For the next five and a half decades, mining and warehouse construction continued to remove over 31 million tons of limestone, while building roads, over 3 miles of railway, and infrastructure that keeps the space at a constant 62 degrees.  

 

A 1994 merger of Griesemer Stone Company, Security Terminal, and General Warehouse Corporation saw the space united under one name: Springfield Underground. Since then, the operation has continued to grow, carving out more area each year to be offered as leasable space, free from exposure to outdoor elements. 

 

What Is It Like Underground?

For some drivers, it might be difficult to imagine what it’s really like to drive into an underground warehouse to drop off freight. As subterranean warehouses become increasingly popular across the United States, it’s important to understand the unique properties and benefits of places like Springfield Underground.  

 

One great way to see the inside of the Caves before signing on for a job is to watch online trucking content creators who record their trips to Springfield Underground. Popular creators such as Trucker G have uploaded detailed tours that show what it’s like to deliver freight in the underground warehouse. 

 

TikTok is another option for quick videos that explore delivering freight and navigating the sometimes daunting tunnels of Springfield Underground!  

 

With clear ceiling heights of up to 30 feet and buildings ranging in size from 50,000-400,000 square feet, the Caves are far more spacious than some might think. Springfield Underground also offers two types of warehouse storage, dry and refrigerated. Refrigerated buildings range in temperatures from -20 to 55 degrees, while the thermal mass provided by the limestone combined with energy efficient building construction has resulted in customers’ utility consumption decreasing by 30-50%.  

 

If you’re worried about safety, Springfield Underground’s round-the-clock on-site maintenance ensures that the space remains well lit, clean, and secure. With only two entrances, both requiring card controlled access, and sprinkler systems in every building and common space, Springfield Underground has all the up-to-date facilities of a modern warehouse.  

  

 

Over 400 drivers visit Springfield Underground daily, experiencing the unique world of subterranean trucking. Like ice road trucking, many truckers see driving on underground roads as an example of the explorative nature at the core of the truck driving industry.  

 

Have you ever driven in the Caves in Springfield? Be sure to reach out to us on social media so we can hear about your adventures, or learn about other exciting places that trucking has taken you. 

8 Movies Every Trucker Should Watch

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Trucking is one of the best known, but least understood, careers in America. Truck drivers have been essential to the economy and our daily life for over a century, and trucking movies are an interesting way to explore some different aspects of this important field.  

 

Trucking movies range from the hilarious, cowboy-types seen in the late 70s, trucker-mania phase to over-the-top horror brought to you by famous creators like Stephen King and Steven Spielberg. Documentaries have explored the serious sides of trucking, and box-office hits have brought romance, action, and mystery from behind the wheel to the big screen.  

 

Whether you’re looking to relax on a thirty-four hour reset or need entertainment on a late night stop, these movies might just show you a side of trucking you’ve never seen. Keep reading to discover eight movies every trucker should watch.  

 

Convoy (1978) – Available for Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Tubi  

Based on the 1975 classic country song of the same name, Convoy tells the story of truck driver Martin ‘Rubber Duck’ Penwald (Kris Kristofferson) and his feud with a corrupt sheriff (Ernest Borgnine). Arriving at the height of the CB radio/trucking mania that spread across America in the late 1970s, the movie is an exciting, action-packed ode to the outlaw trucking mentality and the bond formed between drivers. Now considered a classic, it might remind you of the plotline of a few other trucking films from the time. But hey, if it’s not broken, why fix it?  

 

The Ice Road (2021) – Available for Streaming on Netflix 

Liam Neeson and Laurence Fishburne take the lead in this gripping thriller that follows a big-rig ice road driver on a seemingly impossible rescue mission to save a group of miners trapped underground in remote northern Canada. With a surprising amount of twists and fast-paced action, the movie is sure to be a hit with any truck driver or thrill seeker.  

 

Maximum Overdrive (1986) – Available for Rent on Amazon Prime Video 

Master of horror Stephen King’s first (and only) time in the director’s chair came with this over-the-top take on what could happen if technology came to life with a passion to kill. Although it is considered more of a horror-comedy by today’s standards, there are plenty of gory scenes that  could make any truck owner’s skin crawl. If homicidal rigs and possessed vending machines weren’t enough for you, the movie was soundtracked entirely by AC/DC and contains the best-selling single “You Shook Me All Night Long.” It can’t get more 80s than that! 

 

Duel (1971) – Available for Rent on Amazon Prime Video 

Stephen King isn’t the only big name in Hollywood to get his start with a truck-themed horror movie. Famous director Steven Spielberg’s first film follows a businessman (Dennis Weaver) who suddenly finds himself being chased and terrorized by a mostly-unseen big rig driver. Considered one of the greatest films ever made for television, this fast paced and exciting thriller puts a new spin on the high speed chase genre.  

 

Sorcerer (1977) – Available for Rent on Amazon Prime Video 

While on paper this movie might seem like just another big budget film pushed out during the trucking craze, its story is as original and gripping as it was forty years ago. Director William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection) tells the stories of four criminals from across the globe who are given a second chance at freedom if they can successfully maneuver two trucks full of unstable dynamite (leaking nitroglycerin) up a long and rocky mountain road in order to plug an escalating oil refinery blaze in the Latin American jungle. This action-packed adventure film is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat, and might just inspire you to say yes to carrying a future high-risk, high-reward freight.  

 

Big Rig (2007) – Available for Rent on Google Play or for Free in Full on YouTube 

Probably the most famous documentary focusing on long-haul truckers, this movie is also a study of everyday American life. The film features the stories of truck drivers from across the country who share their experiences and struggles. This documentary does a great job at showing the people behind the wheel of one of America’s most important jobs, and it’s sure to resonate with any viewer, truck driver or not.  

 

They Drive by Night (1940) – Available for Rent on Amazon Prime Video 

While a movie this old might not appeal to everyone, it’s on this list for a reason. Not only does it star the talented Humphrey Bogart and Ann Sheridan, it’s an exciting story about two brothers and a hard-talking waitress who come together to solve a murder and find romance on the open road. Full of thrills and an early look at the growing trucking industry, this movie is sure to stand out to any trucker movie fan.  

 

Smokey and the Bandit (1978) – Available for Streaming on Netflix 

What list could be complete without this trucker classic? The movie that kicked off the cultural craze for truckers and CB radio across the country, this Burt Reynolds hit follows two bootleggers smuggling Coors beer from Texarkana to Atlanta. Filled with high-speed chase scenes, hilarious run-ins with the law, and some iconic lines, Smokey and the Bandit is a classic for a reason.  

 

We love trucking movies and would love to hear about some of your favorites. Connect with us on social media to share your favorite trucking movies with us today!  

The Rise of Truck Driving Simulators

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truck driving simulatorsWhen you think of popular video games, titles like Madden, Call of Duty, or Super Mario probably come to mind. What you’re probably not thinking about are games that simulate what it’s like to drive a semi-truck.

Even with the popular games that center around driving, they’re action-packed racing games like Gran Turismo or classic go-karters like Mario Kart. But surprisingly, there’s a growing market for video games that simulate the experience of driving a semi-truck. 

Here’s what you need to know about these truck driving simulators, including what are the most popular titles, what you can do in the games, and why people are playing them.  

What are Truck Driving Simulators?

A truck driving simulator is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a video game that puts the player in control of a semi-truck.

These games attempt to give players a realistic experience of what it would be like to drive an actual semi-truck. You’re not racing other semi-trucks on the highway or engaging in a demolition derby, but doing what everyday truck drivers do; deliver goods from point A to point B.  

What are the Different Truck Driving Simulators?

https://store.steampowered.com/app/270880/American_Truck_Simulator/There are a few different truck driver simulation games out there, but the most popular is American Truck Simulator. The game came out in 2016 but is still going strong with new maps and areas being added all the time. Right now, you can travel across the entire western united states from Washington state all the way down to Texas.  

American Truck Simulator is actually a sequel to another game that came out in 2012, Euro Truck Simulator 2. That game is the same concept as the American version, except you’re driving through Europe in European models of trucks. 

There are some other truck driving simulators as well, like Truck Driver, Snow Runner, and On the Road. But, most players agree that American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 are the gold standard. 

Why are People Playing Them?

So, you might be thinking, “Why would somebody want to play a video game like this?” After all, there are games where you can be a professional athlete, medieval warrior, mobster, or anything else you can think of. So, what’s so exciting about a game where you drive a semi-truck? 

For many players, it’s the chance to live out the American dream of hitting the open road and making your own money (in a virtual sense). Players can then use that money to upgrade their truck, buy new cab amenities, or purchase a brand-new truck altogether.  

The games give the player total freedom of what kind of truck driver they want to be. They can choose what loads to pick up, how many (if any) loads they’ll pick up, or they can choose to just drive around and enjoy the sights of the open road.  

Truck driving simulators aren’t as faced-past or action-packed as other games, but that’s what players enjoy about them. They’re calming and almost therapeutic to play, unlike many high-intensity video games out there right now.  

This is why simulators games of all types are becoming increasingly popular with people who want to use video games to get away from the stress of everyday life, not add to it.  

What are the Features of Truck Driving Simulators?

Truck driving simulators give players the chance to try out a number of different semi-truck brands and models. American Truck Simulator lets players choose their own truck model and features the biggest brands in trucking, including Peterbilt, Mack, Freightliner, Volvo, Kenworth, International, and Western Star. Additionally, players can choose to add real-life carrier logos and decals to their trucks if they want. 

As far as the gameplay of trucking simulators goes, most agree that they’re fairly difficult. The games try to mimic the actual difficulty of driving a semi-truck and trailer in tow. (You can even pull doubles and triples if you’re looking for a harder challenge). Players are faced with obstacles that real truck drivers face, like backing up in crowded yards, or navigating through narrow city streets.  

The popularity of trucking simulators shows that people are still interested in the world of trucking, even if they’re not truck drivers themselves. These games can give players a sense of appreciation and understanding for what it takes to be a truck driver. Who knows, they may even convince some players to become actual truck drivers themselves.  

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Iowa 80: Have You Been to the World’s Largest Truck Stop?

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The Iowa 80, located right off exit 284 on the I-80 is the world’s largest truck stop, and somewhere that almost every OTR truck driver has been to at least once. But do you know about all the unique services they offer or how it became the world’s largest truck stop? Here’s everything you need to know about the historic truck stop.  

What is the Iowa 80?

The Iowa 80 opened its doors for the first time in 1964, before Interstate 80 had completed construction. Bill Moon, founder of the Iowa 80 saw that the new highway was going to be a major freight corridor and truck drivers were going to need a place to refuel, refresh and relax from the road.

The Iowa 80 started out as a small gas station where drivers could get the necessities before heading back out on the road. It wasn’t until the early 1980’s that Bill was able to expand the services and offerings of the Iowa 80 and the rest stop began to resemble what it looks like today. 

We were able to speak with Heather DeBaillie, Vice President of Marketing with the Iowa 80. She talked to us about the stop’s history and what it has to offer for truck drivers. 

“The Moon Family has always reinvested in Iowa 80. We talk to drivers and ask them what they need when on the road. What are their pain points? What could we provide that would make their lives easier?  We’ve added all of those things when feasible. A lot of what we build is around saving the driver time and providing them comfort. Our goal was always to be the best truck stop and along that journey we became the biggest too. Now, we strive to keep both titles.”

What Services Does the Iowa 80 Offer?

The Iowa 80 offers everything drivers expect from a traditional truck stop and much more. They have 16 diesel fuel lanes, two dozen private showers, 10 restaurants, and 900 parking spots. It’s all part of their ideology of building bigger so drivers don’t have to wait.  

“We want to make drivers’ lives easier by having everything they need in on stop.  We also have a 7-bay Truck Service Center, dog wash, Fuel Center that in addition to 16 fuel lanes includes a small store and two food options; a CAT Scale and a 3-bay Truckomat Truck Wash. We’ve added these options to make our customer’s lives easier.”

Over the years, the Iowa 80 has continued to grow, thanks to the Moon family investing in the stop. It soon became the largest truck stop in the world, offering drivers luxury services like a movie theatre, barber shop, and on-site chiropractor.  

Here’s a list of some of the services the Iowa 80 offers: 

  • Fuel Center 
  • Truck Service Center 
  • CAT Scale 
  • Movie Theatre 
  • Chiropractor 
  • Dentist 
  • Barber Shop 
  • Self-Serve Dogomat Pet Wash 
  • Laundry Area 
  • Custom Printing Shop 

Does the Iowa 80 Hold Events?

Apart from the unique services, the Iowa 80 holds an annual event each summer known as the Walcott Trucker’s Jamboree. The event has taken place every year since 1979 and includes truck exhibits, an antique truck display, super truck beauty contest, trucker Olympics, pet contest, live music, food, and more. 

“The Walcott Trucker’s Jamboree is our way of saying thank you to the millions of drivers who work hard to deliver what we need and keep the economy rolling. The event is free to attend and also gives non-truckers a chance to come and see some really cool rigs and learn more about the industry we depend on to get us everything we use. It’s the biggest Trucking party in the country.”

This year’s Walcott Trucker’s Jamboree will be taking place July 14-16th.  

Iowa 80

Iowa 80 Trucking Museum Main Exhibit Hall

If you’re a history buff, The Iowa 80 has something for you as well. You can check out the Trucking Museum which features some of the earliest known trucks, petrolinia and vintage gas station collectables, and antique toy trucks. 

Heather finished with these thoughts, 

“Like many trucking companies, Iowa 80 is a family owned and operated business. We are family friendly and are now serving fourth and fifth generation driver customers. We reinvested a lot back into the truck stop to create a place we hope drivers enjoy and feel welcomed. There are no locks on our doors, as we’ve been open continuously since our first day of operation in 1964.”

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6 New Year’s Resolution Ideas for Truck Drivers

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new year's resolution
Each year, people all over the world decide which New Year’s Resolution they want to commit to for the following year. Exercising more, learning a new hobby, and eating better are all common resolutions people try to stick to.  Truck Drivers are no different, but their lifestyle of being on the road makes finding resolutions, let alone sticking to them that much harder.  That’s why we’ve compiled 7 common resolutions for truck drivers and how to stick to them! 

1. Eat Better on the Road

This is a very common New Year’s resolution, but it’s also the one that most people fail! Why? Many people set unrealistic expectations that they can’t reasonably meet when it comes to eating better. The lesson here is that you don’t need to do it cold turkey. Instead of cutting out all energy drinks, start with drinking them 3 times a week instead of everyday. This is a much easier resolution to stick to that can lead to you eventually cutting them out entirely, if that’s what you want.

2. Find a new podcast 

Finding good podcasts is a great New Year’s resolution for drivers. Spending hours and hours behind the wheel can get a little dull, so finding interesting podcasts is a great way to keep yourself engaged while on the road.  

There are a huge number of trucking podcasts out there that will connect you with other drivers, give you tips for being on the road and provide you with industry news. The Trucking Podcast, Driver Hub and Trucking for Millennials are just a few of the trucking-specific podcasts out there. Aside from those, there are podcasts out for every interest or hobby. Ancient Rome, fly fishing, engine repair, there’s a podcast for everything! Do a quick search on Spotify, Apple Music or any other streaming service to see what’s out there.  

3. Take care of your eyes

Driving for extended periods of time can really put a strain on your eyes. That’s why taking care of them makes a great new year’s resolution for truck drivers. You can start by making sure to wear sunglasses during the summer or whenever the sun’s out. Aside from being a fashion statement, they help protect your eyes from UV rays that can do damage to your eyes over an extended period of time. Another tip is to be honest about yourself when it’s time to start wearing glasses or contacts, even if you only need them at night or when it’s raining. Schedule a yearly visit with an optometrist to get ahead of eye problems as they occur.  

4. Get some exercise in

Whenever possible, get some light exercises in while on the road. There’s been a lot written about this subject in recent years, so we’ll just give you the highlights. If you’re in an area you’re familiar with, think about using your 30-minute DOT break to talk a short walk or do some bodyweight exercises like push-ups, sit-ups or crunches. There are also some lightweight equipment options like resistance bands and grip trainers that are easy to use as well.  

5. Sleep Better

sleeping tipsGetting a good night’s sleep is vital to being a great trucker. Unfortunately not sleeping well is a problem many drivers face. Simple fixes like eliminating light and sound distractions and limiting your caffeine intake before bed can make sleeping on the road much easier.

6. Keep a Clean Cab

The benefits to keeping your cab clean are the same as keeping a clean room or house. The act of cleaning and having a tidy, neat space are shown to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. If you need any more incentive, clean cabs probably aren’t going to get as much DOT attention as a cluttered one will.   

As for the outside of your truck, keeping that clean is extremely important too, especially if you’re an Owner Operator. Make it part of your new year’s resolution to wash it frequently, as dirt, mud, and road salt can add premature wear to different parts of your truck. If a truck’s dirty enough, structural problems that you’d be able to see on a clean rig can be hidden.   

What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2022? If we missed it, let us know in the comments!  

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5 Top Trucking Movies to Watch

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5 Top Trucking Movies to WatchTrucker drivers are an interesting bunch. And for good reason—they have an interesting job! Hollywood has paid attention to the trucker life over the years, and made many movies about trucking, truckers, or the over the road lifestyle. For all the movies made about trucking, we’ve narrowed things down to our favorites, and our drivers’ favorites. Here are 5 top trucking movies to watch.

1. Smokey and the Bandit


Let’s start with a true classic. Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed star in Smokey and Bandit. It was a box office smash in 1977 and was the 2nd highest grossing movies of the year. The movie came in 2nd, only behind the original Star Wars movie. This classic trucking movie brought the life of some extreme highway antics to the big screen, and added a lot of drama and laughs along the way. The plot starts with some guys needing to bootleg cases of Coors beer across state lines, at a time where doing that was very illegal. Add to the mix a runaway bride, an angry sheriff and sweet, sweet Trans Am, it’s a very entertaining watch.

2. Black Dog


Black dog came out in 1998 and stars the late Patrick Swayze. Though it was never a box office hit, it is consistently noted as a truck driver favorite. It’s full of action, drama and many action-packed driving scenes. Swayze’s character, Jack Crews, is a truck driver who served time for vehicular manslaughter. Once out of prison, he’s putting his life back together, and struggling to make ends meet. So, he takes a somewhat sketchy job back on the road. The job was supposed to be an easy run. And it was easy, until Crews realizes he’s hauling illegal firearms and there’s people out there set on hijacking the load. Watch this one for the jam-packed action scenes, and the drama of man trying to get back to work to save his family.

3. Duel


Another film from the 1970s is Duel. It was notably Steven Spielberg’s feature-length debut as a director. Starring Dennis Weaver, this movie is a take on a classic cat and mouse chase between a traveling salesman and a mysterious tanker truck driver. And the unseen trucker really seems intent on making the salesman’s drive one he’ll never forget. Full of suspense, the car and truck keep meeting up at every turn. And each meetup it seems the crazed trucker gets increasingly aggressive and menacing to the salesman. Road rage is one thing. But this trucker’s gone way beyond that.

4. Convoy


Another true classic trucking movie from the late 1970’s is Convoy. The movie stars Kris Kristofferson as Rubber Duck and was inspired by the classic trucker tune “Convoy” by C.W. McCall. Taking all of the excitement and colorful CB-radio language that is the backdrop of the song, the movie centers around truckers banding together in a convoy to protect Rubber Duck from a sheriff out to get him. A song turned into a movie, that centers around the solid loyalty that exists within the trucking community – that is Convoy. It’s action packed. And it also has some laughs and plenty of drama for any trucker who feels a bond with their fellow truckers on the road.

5. Big Rig


Switching gears from over-the-top action, adventure and Hollywood stunts, let’s look at a small scale trucking movie. Made in 2007, Big Rig is documentary film centered around the reality of  truck driving. It takes a real life look at the life on the road. The stars of the movie are the drivers that agreed to allow the crew to tag along and see what they see, and experience what it’s like to be a trucker. It about the drivers, their lives, and why they do what they do. Big Rig is about the perspective of a diverse group of drivers. And it provides several interesting viewpoints over the course of the film. If someone needs a real look inside of 18-wheeler, this trucking movie should be on your short-list to watch soon.

Knowing that truck drivers usually have plenty of free time when they’re away from home and done driving for the day, movies can be a great escape before bedtime. We know many drivers keep a tablet or other device on the truck, why not use them to watch a movie? Let us know what your favorite movie is. Click on the link below and let us know what you think.

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Fan Favorites: Best Truck Driving Songs

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Fan Favorites: Best Truck Driving Songs

Life is a highway… at least that’s what the song says. But for many truck drivers, that lyric couldn’t be truer. Life IS the highway for many. Truckers have countless hours alone in the cab of the truck. They can cover hundreds of miles of pavement every day. This time behind the wheel gives drivers plenty of time to spend listening to music. We asked our readers to tell us about their favorite music to listen to while driving. Here are the best truck driving songs that our Facebook followers mentioned.

Truckers and Their Tunes

There are countless “trucker” themed music compilations available for drivers. A quick Google search results in thousands of results. You can find CDs, playlists, YouTube videos, streaming channels, as well as an endless trucker-friendly podcasts.

Drive My Way Poll

Here’s what our truckers had to say when we recently polled our drivers on Facebook.

Songs that Remind them of their Families

Music can transport you to another place, just by listening to a song. The lyrics can put you in a better mood, make you feel happy or sometimes make you feel sad. Some truck driving songs can remind you of your family and friends who aren’t out driving with you.

Old School Country

Johnny Cash is always a popular selection on truckers’ radios as well as other old school country artists like the Possum himself—George Jones. A good guess would be to also find plenty of Willie and Waylon and the others from the same time. These old school country songs cover a lot of ground—just like most truck drivers. They can be about rebellion, lost loves, and there’s plenty of songs simply about having a good time.

Trucker Songs about Long Haul Driving

A classic in this conversation is East Bound and Down. The song was written for the movie Smokey and the Bandit in 1977. It’s a great song about a day in the life of a long-haul driver. “We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there” are perfect lyrics to sum up an over-the-road driver’s life. Hopefully without any Smokies to slow you down.

Religious Song Choices

Some drivers let us know that they fill their time on the road listening to Christian music. There are so many choices for singers and songs in this genre. Listening to Christian or other religious songs while driving can help drivers reflect and be happy while driving. There’s plenty of genres of Christian music available, from true church music, to soft rock to even Christian metal. Sometimes these spiritual or religious choices are perfect truck driving songs to get a driver through their day.

Hard Rock for the Win

Drivers mention many singers and bands that put out hard rock and metal music. These are always going to be popular choices for favorite trucker driving songs. Louder songs can help you pep up and stay alert. AC/DC, Metallica, and Five Finger Death Punch were some choices that our drivers put on their lists! The loud guitars and drums, combined with aggressive and catchy lyrics might be perfect to help a driver concentrate on the road when there’s been miles and miles of nothing to look at for hours.

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10 Suggested Truck Driver Apps

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10 Suggested Truck Driver Apps

“I know a great app for that”! That’s a pretty common thing to hear whenever you’re trying to find a new way to be more efficient or focused about some aspect of your life. There are literally hundreds of thousands of apps available for your mobile devices, with more being added daily. We’ve put together a list of a few great truck driver app suggestions to make your life easier.

Truck Driver Apps to Make Driving Easier

1. Waze

Waze: one of the largest travel and traffic app, with over 100 million downloads. Maps are user-updated minute-to-minute. The app gives the most current traffic conditions and potential reroutes due to traffic jams or road closures. In changing traffic conditions, Waze can keep you moving instead of wasting time sitting in traffic jams.

2. Gasbuddy

Gasbuddy: this is a great app to help you keep your gas expenses low. This app provides very timely user-sourced information about gas prices in your current location. As well as locations that you’re planning on stopping at further down the road. If you are given incentives to keep gas prices low, this app and a little extra planning helps you save!

3. TruckerPath

TruckerPath: for help finding weigh stations, rest stops, and amenity info at those truck stops. Considered by some as the most versatile apps for truckers, it can also give weather updates and provide opportunities for truckers to communicate with each other out on the road.

4. Camscanner

Camscanner: This app can help make it easier to keep track of all your receipts that you accumulate while out on the road. You can scan receipts and easily save to the cloud rather than risk losing paper copies. This scanning app works any time, anywhere, without the need for any additional equipment. It’s a great truck driver app that will help keep your expense reports accurate.

Truck Driver Apps to Make Life Easier

5. Keep or 6. Evernote

Keep or Evernote: these apps are very useful for keeping track of to-do lists, reminders or other notes that you  might normally write in a portable notebook. Collect information and keep everything in a handy app for access across all of your mobile devices. Quickly create practical notes like grocery lists or new music to download. It can even save more detailed notes to help you keep your thoughts organized if you’re thinking about writing a book!

7. Skype

Skype: this app has been downloaded literally billions of times. This app helps you keep in touch with family and friends while out on the road. It allows you to have a video chat, rather than just a phone call or text conversation. Skype is also is a great tool for messaging, screen-sharing, and file sharing. You can use this app to help plan date nights or be a “virtual” part of family activities that you might otherwise miss.

8. Headspace

Headspace: we highlighted this app a while back and had great response from some drivers. This app is beneficial to reduce anxiety and boost mindfulness & happiness at any point in the day. If you need a quick 2-minute stress-reliever, or a longer, more soothing session to help you sleep, Headspace is a great app for your overall mental health.

Lastly, we’ll mention a type of app that can help you spend LESS time on your phone. If you think you’re wasting too much time online, one of these could be beneficial to you. With the increase in the amount of time people spend on their phones every day, these types of apps are also gaining popularity.

9. Flipd or 10. ScreenTime

If you think you’ve got an issue with the amount of time you’re spending on your phone, or on social media, you can try either Flipd or ScreenTime. These tools help you track your online time. You can also block selected apps from being used during set hours of the day.

It seems every day there’s a new app created to help you in one way or another. Some are great for making life easier, others are great for keeping in touch. And still others that are simply ways to play games or help pass the time. We hope this short list of recommended truck driver apps is helpful to you. If you’ve got a suggestion for a great app for another trucker to try out, mention it in the comments section below, or drop a link on our Facebook page here. We’d love to share your great ideas with other drivers!

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3 Great Gift Ideas for Truck Drivers

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Finding great gift ideas for truck drivers might seem tough. If they didn’t provide you with a wish list, how do you know what they need? Or what they already have packed into the cab of their truck? Don’t worry, we’ve come up with some great suggestions for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road.

These gift ideas for truck drivers should help you when it comes to their next birthday, anniversary or any special occasion.

HELP PASS THE TIME

Give the gift of music!

Whether your driver is a serious rock-n-roller or a country music fanatic, a gift card for a subscription music service could be a perfect gift. No more memorizing the best stations in every city from Dallas to Des Moines. Streaming stations keep the music going without interruption! Snag some SiriusXM or Spotify gift cards to get them started. In addition, you could renew their subscription for another year. Or, buy them some iTunes or Google Play gift cards for other online music apps that they enjoy. Any driver who spends long hours on the road with only their radio to keep them company would welcome these.

MEMORIES FROM HOME

Remind your trucker that they’re loved and missed.

Portable picture frames are a great gift idea. Find frames that can easily suction onto the dashboard, or attach to the sun visor. Pictures of the kids, their house, the family dog, or their beloved motorcycle are perfect to frame and take with them. Other ideas might be to engrave something with a personal message for them. A keychain, necklace or charm bracelet with sentimental thoughts from home will let her know that you miss her while she’s gone.

SNACKS

Fill a gift box with tasty treats and your trucker will thank you!

You can choose healthy or sweet, or a little bit of both. The key is to make sure that everything you’re packing is non-perishable and convenient to grab-and-go over the course of the day. Think about adding sports drinks and bottles of water too for those times when they’re finally done with their last cup of coffee. Your truck driver will appreciate the time you took to pack up a box of their favorites to keep them fueled up for the day!

If you’ve got additional great gift ideas for truck drivers that we didn’t mention, please share your ideas on our Facebook page. We might feature you or your ideas in an upcoming story.

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Driver Highlight: Eddie Dalzell, Retired Dupre Truck Driver

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Edward “Eddie” Dalzell talked his way into his first truck driving job at age 19 in Massachusetts.

3 million accident-free miles and almost 50 years later, Eddie’s now retired from truck driving but still logging miles on foot as a hiker and lead CSR for Penske in San Antonio.

truck driver

As he tells the story, he got his first truck driving job through good old-fashioned persistence. And telling a little bit of a lie.

“The company I was working for went out of business. There were no other jobs around. The car I had ran out of gas, I had no money. So, I walked 3 miles down the road to a place that was supposedly hiring truck drivers. I had no clue how to drive a truck. I kept going back day after day until they finally hired me!”

From there, he had a friend teach him how to drive a truck.

Once he got his start with that first job in Massachusetts, Eddie moved south after a few years. There he got his first job as a tanker truck driver. He spent the next few decades with various jobs between Texas and Louisiana, driving tankers between refineries and operating other heavy equipment. He mentions that some of those were dangerous jobs, and that thankfully he got lucky a few times.

Living and working near the Gulf of Mexico, he saw his share of hurricanes and severe weather.

The memory of those storms still stand out to Eddie. “Dodging hurricanes, wasn’t fun. Everyone else was leaving, but we’d be heading into the storms with the plywood to help. Last hurricane I drove 27 hours straight because of all the road closures to get around it. Had to get right back up in 5 hours to go back into it.”

When asked about his time as a truck driver at Dupre Logistics, he said that they were big on safety, and provided great training.

dupre-logistics

He also fondly recalls having a great boss who became a life-long friend to this day.

“At Dupre, Leadership was very good. We had good drivers. We could laugh and have fun.  They are VERY fair. They also gave a nice safety bonus every 3 months which was nice”.

That bonus came with a safety meeting at a great local steakhouse. Eddie mentioned he never missed a bonus, or the steak dinners. Working for Dupre, he said that integrity was important.

“There’s lots of competition out there but the jobs kept coming back to us because they liked what we were doing.”

Over the years, he also spent time as a driving instructor and unofficial career and life coach.

“Taught people how to drive standard trucks. I enjoyed that. I also told students to follow your dreams. Listen to Mr. Eddie: Don’t do something you hate, you’ll be miserable your whole life.”

Now retired from driving, Eddie spends his days working as a hiker and lead Customer Service Representative for Penske.

truck driver

He says he logs over 52 miles a week on foot, 20,000 steps, walking around the facility. Quite a change from all of the hours and miles behind the wheel!

Eddie, 68, has a wife, 6 children and 10 grandkids. In his free time, he enjoys living close to 3 of those grandkids.

“I get to see them all the time. Grandma loves to keep them on the weekends – gives their moms a break”. He also enjoys fishing and keeping fit and active.

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