A 2019 survey by CareerCast rated the trucking profession as one of the highest stress jobs in America. We were kind of surprised to see that the survey ranked truck driving as more stressful than professions in masonry, welding and food service.

Is driving a truck a hard job?

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.

What is the most stressful thing about being a truck driver?

From making sure that their vehicle is in tip-top shape, to managing their hours correctly, making deadlines, getting enough sleep, safely operating the truck, and navigating legal and regulatory hurdles, truck driving can be about as stressful a job as there is.

Is being a truck driver depressing?

In comparison, 13.6% of truck drivers suffer from some level of depression, a drastic difference from the rest of the population. It's something we need to pay attention to and be aware of the signs of depression as professional drivers.

What stress do truck drivers have?

Truck drivers experience loneliness and isolation. They also experience health issues that go unaddressed because of inadequate health care options, uncertainty about where to find affordable care and tight delivery windows while on the road.

What the hell is so stressful about trucking?

Are truck drivers happy?

At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, truck drivers rate their career happiness 2.7 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 10% of careers.

Is Trucking really worth?

The pay is solid. Even though wages have remained about the same over the past 25 years, it's still a solid paying blue collar job. There aren't too many opportunities to make $40,000-$50,000 a year in today's blue collar market. Demand is high.

Do truck drivers suffer from anxiety?

Only 19 percent of truckers acknowledged mental health issues including stress and anxiety. Shattell notes that acknowledging mental health issues is not confined to the driver community. "All of us want to believe that we're mentally healthy, we don't want to believe that we're not."

Are truckers lonely?

Trucker loneliness and depression are just two of the many mental health challenges that truckers must contend with while completing their duties.

Why do truck drivers get depressed?

Depression is often associated with stress and anxiety, so a stressful work environment can put employees at a greater risk. Long-haul truck drivers are vulnerable to depression due to the high demands of their job, including: Extended periods of time away from family and friends. Long hours.

Why do truck drivers quit?

There are many individuals with the training and skills needed to fill these truck driving job positions. But due to low pay and less than desirable working conditions, many are leaving the industry, in search of a better career.

Is being a truck driver unhealthy?

It can also raise your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. We found 26% of truck drivers said they have hypertension, compared to 24% of the US working population. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.

What is the hardest part about driving a truck?

The Hardest Part of Starting a Trucking Career

• Double Clutching and downshifting.
• Straight backing, or just about any type of backing maneuver in a big rig.
• Having the driver's seat and the mirrors adjusted properly.
• Making right hand turns.
• Getting started from a stop on an incline.

What is the life of a trucker like?

Driving Limits: Truck drivers typically work up to 70 hours within an eight-day period. Most aren't allowed to drive more than this. After 70 hours in a truck driver's workweek, drivers must take a mandatory 34 hours off.

What is the easiest trucking job?

Dry van trucking is the easiest type of trucking job to get. For one thing, the turnover rate is very high, leaving a revolving door of open jobs. It's also not uncommon for mega carriers to have thousands of these in their fleets.

What is the average age of a truck driver?

The average age of American CDL drivers is currently around 49 years old, and it is not uncommon at all for people in their 50s and 60s to get their CDL and start driving.

Do truck drivers get bored?

To the outsider, boredom is one of the many things surely taken for granted in a truck driver's life. Sitting behind the wheel, lugging an oversized load, and sticking to the same routes all the time while trying to stick to a schedule can only mean mind-numbing monotony.

Do truck drivers get PTSD?

Another factor that causes a lot of drivers to experience PTSD or anxiety is the day-to-day events that happen on the road. The longer you've been in the industry, the higher your chances are of experiencing an accident.

How often do truck drivers go home?

The industry has changed a lot over the years. Most companies no longer expect drivers to be out for months on end; instead they have their long haul drivers' home every 7 to 12 days. Home time will vary, but generally drivers' can expect 3 to 4 days in.

Is trucking good for social anxiety?

For those who like to drive and also tend to be socially anxious, trucking driving is a great option.

What can truckers take for anxiety?

The commonly prescribed cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is allowed if the driver does not show any sedating side effects. Also, nearly all antidepressants are allowed, barring uncommon first-generation medications such as TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors).

Can truck drivers take anxiety meds?

Talk with your MD and explain that you are a commercial OTR driver. That way the doctor can work out which, out of dozens of medications, will work best and not interfere with your ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Most of the anxiety meds do not run positive for drug testing.

Do truck drivers make a good living?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truckers earn a median annual wage of $43,680, which is more than the median wage for all jobs, and the top 10% of truck drivers make more than $60,000 per year.

Is driving a truck fun?

So in general, life on the road is a lot of fun if you're the adventurous type. The hours are long, the weather is tricky, and you're away from home a lot but it's always interesting, challenging, and full of possibilities. If you prefer the safe environment of steady hours and a simple job, you wont like trucking.

Is trucking easy?

Freedom. It's almost tangible when you're driving 60 miles per hour in a 53-foot 18-wheeler down the interstate. You can feel it around you as the windows are rolled down with the music on blast, marching to the beat of your own drum.