Trucker tips and tricks: Creating a healthy work-life balance

For those interested in a life on the road, truck driving is a career that can be extremely rewarding. In fact, many would say that being a truck driver is more of a lifestyle choice than a career decision. 

Every job has its challenges, and truck driving is no exception. In this article, we’ll discuss how the freedom and flexibility of long-haul trucking can cause challenges for career drivers but by following best-practices, truckers, fleet managers, and owners of trucking companies can work together to create healthy lives for truck drivers both on and off the road.

Common truck driving challenges and how to overcome them

Most careers come with challenges and hardships. For a trucking company, it’s up to each individual employer and driver to collaborate and navigate the inherent difficulties that being a road warrior brings. Together, you can ensure optimal health and well-being and even enhance job satisfaction.

Long hours

Long-haul truckers, while regulated, work long hours—which are capped at 60 hours every seven days or 70 hours every eight days. While this may be daunting, there are lots of great ways employers and professional truck drivers can mitigate the effects of long days and/or nights behind the wheel:

• Allow regular breaks: Encourage drivers to take regular breaks to rest, hydrate and recharge, and educate them about the dangers of driving while tired.
• Monitor and regulate hours: Ensure that drivers adhere to regulated hours of service to prevent fatigue.
• Use technology: Telematics and GPS monitoring systems can help fleet managers identify driving patterns and detect signs of fatigue or unsafe driving, deploying additional training and alerts as necessary to improve driver safety.

Sitting for extended periods and finding healthy food options

Driving for a living has you sitting for periods of time, and sitting for too long can have negative health implications, and it can be difficult sometimes to find healthy food options while on the road. You’ll want to focus on finding healthy meals on the road and maintaining good stretching habits as you make your way between jobs as this will lead to both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health. 

Finding places to exercise, access healthcare, or even get a good meal are important goals while on the road. With this in mind, here are a few tips to help drivers:

• Conduct regular health screenings: Offer regular health screenings for drivers to monitor their physical condition and catch potential health issues early.
• Offer fitness incentives: Rewarding drivers who participate in fitness programs or achieve certain health goals incentivizes them to build and maintain healthy habits.
• Encourage stretching and hydration: Doing back, neck, and leg stretches at long stops or while sitting in traffic can help drivers relieve tension and improve blood circulation. Additionally, regular hydration through consistent water intake is critical for overall health and relieving brain fog

Working through feelings of isolation

Truck driving can offer a unique level of zen that other professions simply cannot match. While long hours spent alone sound ideal for many, so much time away from family and friends might sometimes contribute to feelings of isolation.

While tricky, here are a few ideas for employers to use to help their drivers navigate this unique element of their jobs:

• Foster a sense of community: Online social platforms, mentorship programs, and regular in-person events and meet-ups are all great ways to bring drivers together.
• Check-in regularly: Implement regular check-ins between drivers and their managers or dispatchers. This can be as simple as a weekly phone call to see how they’re doing, discuss any concerns, or just chat.
• Encourage the work-life balance drivers need to succeed: Advocate for drivers to take time off and ensure they have opportunities to spend time with family and friends when not on the road.
• Bringing your favorite furry friend along for the ride can help make your drives more fun, and most dogs love riding shotgun. Check with your manager to ensure your company sanctions bringing pets on the road and then brighten your trip with your favorite canine companion sitting by your side.

Optimizing for a healthy and happy life on the road

There are numerous other ways truck drivers and their employers can support good work-life balance and good health on the road and off.

Offer flexible routes and schedules

Allowing drivers to choose routes and schedules that align with their personal needs and preferences is a great way to facilitate their well-being. While the nature of the trucking industry sometimes leans on seniority for preferred routes, understanding why drivers prefer certain routes can help employers make choices rooted in practicality instead of tenure.

Outline predictable home time

When drivers have a reliable sense of when they’ll have time off, they can better plan their personal lives. Whether to attend important events and occasions or simply spend time with their families, knowing when they’ll have downtime at home is integral to a healthy work-life balance.

Make cabs comfortable

While the level of control that companies have here may be minimal, there are a multitude of quality-of-life cab features and regular (but simple) maintenance checks that can help ensure a driver’s comfort, such as good ergonomic seating, safe and well-suited sleeping accommodations, and climate control.

Offer roadside assistance

Mechanical issues happen. When they do, they can cause stress for drivers who are already running on tight schedules. When things go wrong on the road, emergency roadside support can be a lifesaver –  especially when employers offer a program that keeps their truckers from having to personally cover out-of-pocket costs to get their trucks back up and running.

Take training seriously

Training goes a long way in the trucking industry and it applies to all job areas. For example, ensuring that drivers are clear on necessary safety protocols – and that those protocols are regularly reinforced – can help keep drivers safe including reducing accidents and avoiding other safety issues. Also, training on aspects like stress management, mindfulness, and other mental health strategies can help drivers gain control over their day and their health, and feel better prepared to take on a day on the road.

Use technology

Tech tools can be a big help in trucking and can really simplify both drivers’ and employers’ lives. For instance, the right fleet fuel card can help drivers fill up when and where they need to with extra protection from fraud, make it easy to purchase fleet- and business-related products and services, bypass having to collect and submit receipts, and so much more. 

For fleet managers, GPS and telematics tools can help give clear insight into their fleet vehicles and employees’ driving habits, improve routing, and plan preventive maintenance to keep trucks in good working order (keeping their drivers safe and reducing unnecessary downtime that can be highly disruptive to delivery schedules).

WEX can help set up drivers for success

WEX over-the-road (OTR) solutions  – including fleet fuel cards and telematics programs – are designed for truckers and fleet managers alike. With WEX, it’s simple to get equipped with the tools, tech, and data required to optimize fleet operations in ways that help drivers effectively manage their lives on the road and focus on delivering an excellent customer experience.

Create a better life on the road for your drivers

Truck driving as a career choice can lead to a life of freedom and flexibility, and while there isn’t a job that doesn’t have its challenges, there are some easy things you can do to help ease trucking challenges for yourself and your drivers. Start today creating a healthier experience for your truckers both on and off the road by following the tips above.

Curious about WEX OTR solutions? Browse WEX fuel cards, and OTR products and services and apply for a fleet card today!

All fleet cards are not the same, and different types of fuel cards suit the needs of different kinds and sizes of businesses. View WEX’s OTR fleet card comparison chart to see which fleet fuel card is right for you.

Learn more on how to better manage your over-the-road fleet:

• Fuel card FAQs
• Fraud prevention
• Safety tips
• Tax prep

Apply for a fleet card today!

Resources:
Men’s Journal
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Mayo Clinic
Men’s Journal

Editorial note: This article was originally published on September 10, 2024, and has been updated for this publication.