There’s a Lot More to Life on the Road than you Might Expect…
At a surface level, you might consider trucking pretty simple…
A trucker picks up a trailer full of goods and merchandise, spends some time driving locally or across the country, and ultimately delivers those goods to their destination.
Point A to point B—that’s all there is to it, right?
Well, not exactly.
Trucking is a vital, specialized industry that millions of Americans depend on to get the products they need.
But delivering trailers full of cargo is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to trucking.
So, if you’re new to the industry or you just want to learn more about trucking, keep reading! We’ll explain 7 interesting facts about trucking you probably don’t know, and how you can pursue a career in this lucrative industry.
#1 – Trucks are Built to Last
If you’ve never sat behind the wheel of a big rig, this one’s for you.
Even with modern technology, you’ll probably get 200,000 – 300,000 miles out of your car’s engine if you’re lucky.
Trucks, on the other hand, are an expensive investment—we’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars for one rig.
As they say, “you get what you pay for…”
That’s why most modern big rigs are built to withstand 750,000 – 1,000,000 miles of travel!
Makes you wonder if you should trade in your car for a truck, doesn’t it?
#2 – Women Drivers are on the Rise
Historically, trucking has been a male-dominated industry.
Fortunately, that trend is going by the wayside and the number of female truckers in the U.S. grows each year.
According to the Department of Labor, there were just over 250,000 women driving big rigs as of 2021.
That’s only around 8 percent of the total trucking workforce in America…
Still, with truckers in high demand, women seem to be realizing they can do the job as well as their male counterparts.
#3 – Truckers Spend A LOT of Time on the Road
This might seem like a no-brainer, but the sheer amount of time truckers spend away from home might surprise you.
The average truck driver can spend 240+ days away from home!
That means time without family, without the comforts of home, missed holidays, and other important events.
Over-the-road truckers in particular spend thousands of hours crisscrossing the country (but long-distance isn’t the only option. Click here to learn more about local routes).
The bottom line is, you should thank a trucker the next time you see one—they’re probably sacrificing their comfort to deliver the products we use every day.
#4 – Trucking is the Backbone of Our Economy
You probably work hard to put food on the table for your family…
But without truckers, there wouldn’t be any food to put on the table in the first place. Trucks are the powerhouse of America’s domestic economy.
In 2019 alone, 37.9 million trucks hauled over 10 billion tons of freight—that’s 72.5% of all the domestic goods shipped in the U.S.
Not to mention, truckers haul up to 90% of the refrigerated foods Americans eat each year.
So, like we said, thank a trucker next time you see one! They’re constantly under stress, and a little encouragement goes a long way.
#5 – Trucks Need More Stopping Time
If you’re a trucker, you know exactly what we mean. Trucks take much more time to stop, especially when weather conditions aren’t ideal.
You’d think this fact would be a no-brainer too, but any trucker knows that’s not the case.
Other drivers cut big rigs off, sit in their blind spots, and even brake check trucks from time to time…
And with trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded, testing a truck’s stopping time is a recipe for disaster.
For those of you who are wondering, there’s a good reason truckers keep their distance on the road.
According to UDOT, a truck traveling 65 mph needs 525 ft. of stopping time while cars need 326 ft.—and that’s on dry pavement!
#6 – Truckers Are in Ultra-High Demand
If you’ve spent any time researching a career in trucking, you probably know that trucking is an in-demand skill set.
All over the country, companies are in desperate need of truckers—the ATA noted that the trucking industry was short 80,000 drivers as of 2021.
That’s good news if you’re already in the industry or looking to get involved.
A high-demand skillset means you’ll enjoy competitive pay and benefits…
If you choose the right trucking company!
#7 – JFW Trucking Offers Competitive Pay & Excellent Benefits
When it comes to finding a job in the industry, you’ll have no shortage of options.
But that doesn’t mean they’ll offer the pay and benefits you deserve.
Fortunately, you can count on JFW Trucking for the pay and benefits you deserve. We offer…
- Paid Time Off
- Class A truck driving Jobs near me only local routes
- Health benefits (healthcare, dental, vision, and savings plans)
- Retirement plans
- Paid holidays (New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day)
- Quarterly bonuses for driving safely
- Modern equipment and a skilled mechanic team
Your job and your skills keep America’s economy moving. We recognize how important your work is.
Don’t settle for a company that doesn’t value your hard work.
Get the pay, benefits, and modern equipment you deserve with a job you’ll love…
At JFW Trucking of Commerce City, CO.
Ready to get started? We look forward to hearing from you! Click here to apply now.