If you’re considering getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you’ve probably thought, “Is truck driving hard?” Like any job, truck driving has its challenges, but if it’s a good fit and you’re a skilled driver, the career can be extremely rewarding. The trucking industry is always looking for new aspiring drivers, and with hard work, almost anyone can go to school for their CDL. While a career in truck driving has its challenges, commercial drivers are able to have flexible hours, rewarding experiences, and reliable pay. To most, the benefits outweigh the difficulties. 

Truck Driving Expands Your Opportunities

Truck Drivers Get to See the Country

While your time on the clock will be spent on the highway, many truck drivers will set their breaks in parts of the country they want to visit—and some drivers recall stopping to see college and pro football games, NASCAR races, and more. Additionally, you will be able to choose your own hours including where you take breaks. This makes the job even more rewarding and unique. A career in the trucking industry is not just fulfilling in pay, but in experiences as well. You’ll probably visit places you haven’t heard of. And if you’re taking on a new route, you might discover something unexpected. What better career than to be able to travel the country, gaining new experiences? There are very few other careers where you get paid to travel.

Truck Drivers Have Tons of Work Opportunities

Truck driving is one of the most popular jobs in the United States.

But according to the American Trucking Associations, at the end of 2018, there was a shortage of over 60,000 drivers from those needed to meet the high demand for freight services. And according to the Department of Labor, the need for truck drivers will increase by 5% between now and 2028. To keep up with demand and to replace retiring drivers, the industry will need to hire 1.1 million new drivers over the next decade.

The truck driving industry is always looking for new drivers. Currently, many companies have been willing to increase the pay of their drivers, as well as add additional benefits. 

That means that top-notch CMV drivers will never have a hard time finding work. And recent numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that wages for truck drivers have increased in recent years, with a national average of $57,062 per year. The job security of truck driving can’t be beat. At Truck Driver Institute, we are partnered with over 20 carriers to ensure you are placed with a company that will give you the job you’ve always wanted.

Driving a Truck Gives You Independence and Flexibility

Many truck drivers are able to set their own hours and schedules as long as they’re able to meet their delivery deadlines. Plus you get extra independence and flexibility over your work. Being a commercial truck driver allows you to be on your own, and complete your job independently. You don’t have to worry about being micro-managed and have minimal supervision. And since you’ll be on the road on your own, you have the freedom to be yourself. While most jobs require a set number of hours during a specific time, as a commercial truck driver, you have the availability to choose your own hours. A lot of the time, your hours may be unconventional, allowing you to allot your time to personal commitments as well. 

Is Truck Driving Hard? Breaking Down the Difficulties

Truck driving isn’t for everyone, but for some, it’s a dream job. There are a lot of well-paying job opportunities, you get to travel, and you get a lot of flexibility by not sitting at a desk from nine to five. Before going to school to get your CDL, it’s important to understand why some people think truck driving is hard so you can know if it’s for you. While any job has its challenges, if truck driving is something you would like to pursue, the hard work will be worth the opportunity in the long run. So, is truck driving hard? Let’s take a closer look at some of the real difficulties truck drivers face.

Truck Drivers Spend a Lot of Time Alone

If you like having time to yourself, truck driving is perfect. Imagine that feeling you get on a long road trip when you get into the groove of driving. Plus you’ll get to meet lots of new friendly faces from places across the country. Not to mention the new experiences you will have traveling to new places. Traveling alone can be very rewarding as you get to do exactly what you want along the way. Additionally, many truck drivers appreciate the alone time they are able to have while gaining new experiences they likely would not otherwise. 

Driving trucks and other commercial motor vehicles (CMV) is a solitary gig. You’ll be driving for hours on end, and most of your interactions will be with strangers at truck stops, gas stations, and warehouses. But most CMV drivers love the time alone to reflect, listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more.  Learning to be alone, but not lonely, is a great skill to have in more areas than just being a commercial truck driver. Being alone can be a very rewarding experience, especially if you already enjoy your alone time. 

if being alone is not for you, some drivers choose to team drive with a partner so that they can alternate shifts. Plus, you’ll be part of a giant community of drivers across the country.

Working Long Hours Can Be Hard for Truck Drivers

If you ask a CMV driver, “Is truck driving hard?”, some may mention how long the hours are. In fact, some drivers will rack up around 3000 miles each week on the job, which sometimes requires early mornings and late nights to meet deadlines. While many would assume having to maneuver a big truck would be the most difficult part of the job, the long hours are often what truck drivers say is the hardest part. But one of the best parts is that most CMV drivers get to choose their own schedules. You may clock more hours than someone at a Monday–Friday desk job, but you get to set your own pace, have a degree of financial stability, and get to see new places every day. To most, a career in truck driving is much more rewarding than a stereotypical office job because of its unconventional nature. Being a truck driver is a unique career path that can be the best career move for someone looking for a fresh start.

Is Truck Driving Hard on Your Body?

As a truck driver, you may get to travel across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but traveling that much can be hard on your body. It is important to ensure that you are maintaining your physical health while traveling long hours, as they can be taxing on the body. Some ways to stay healthy include picking up pre-washed fruit and vegetables for snacks at convenience stores and gas stations, making sure you’re getting some exercise during stops and breaks and taking time to get a good night’s rest. There are also cushions that can be added to your seat to ensure your muscles do not ache while you are sitting for a long period of time. 

Truck Driving Can Be Hard, But Rewarding

Truck driving isn’t always easy, but once you complete TDI’s three-week truck driving school and launch your career on the road, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. A career in truck driving is a unique experience and defies the demands of a normal office job. Making your next career move to the trucking industry will be rewarding in more ways than one. So, the next time someone asks, “Is truck driving hard?”, tell them that you’ll be able to travel the country, find job security, and get independence that you could only dream of working in an office.

If you want to know more about the advantages of becoming a truck driver, give us a call today.