Four Daily Essentials All Truck Drivers Need to Know

All new and experienced truck drivers need to know the everyday essentials that will benefit them in the long run. Most drivers will travel about 500 miles a day which means planning is a must.

Here’s a list of a few daily essentials that every truck driver should know about.

Have a Daily Routine

With a long day ahead, scheduling your day in advance will give you a sense of stability. Before hitting the road, you’ll need to complete your pre-trip inspection and other required logs you might have. A good habit to get into is to check the weather and route conditions to stay prepared ahead of time.

Figure out how long you plan on driving for the day. Although you might face unexpected delays throughout the day, expectations as drivers are to be on time with deliveries and destinations. Mapping out stops and ETA’s will give you a schedule to follow, and you’ll need to eat at some point.

Eating on the Road

Eating on the road can get tricky, expensive, and is probably not as healthy as you’d like, so here are a couple of healthy and cheap options you can eat every day.

Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. Some healthy snacks in the morning like fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, or protein bars will give you the energy you need to start your day. For lunch, grocery store deli’s have premade sandwiches, wraps, pasta salads, etc., or you can even make your own sandwich. Investing in a convenient crockpot will instantly offer you a bunch of healthy meal choices. It just means you will have to cook. Ultimately, grocery shopping for healthy food will save you money and calories while on the road. Eating healthy can also keep you energized for the long haul.

When You’re Having a Hard Time Staying Awake

If you’ve ever had a hard time staying awake while driving, keep these tips in mind to help you stay focused on the road; falling asleep at the wheel can be very dangerous for you and everyone around you.

Begin with getting a good night’s sleep; starting your morning well-rested will undoubtedly get you through the day. Although it’s not mandatory, drinking caffeine in the morning is somewhat standard to staying awake during the long haul.

Maybe coffee, tea, an energy drink, or even a soft drink is your preferred caffeine of choice. Just know caffeine can cause you to use the bathroom often or even make you feel more tired.

After consulting a doctor, taking daily vitamins like B-12 and iron could help boost your energy levels. Cold air is another excellent and simple way to stay awake. It will activate your brain and help you stay alert. Be wary of blasting warm air as it could make you even sleepier.

Take a Break

Truck drivers need to take a break when driving all day. The 30-minute break rule mandated by the Department of Transportation will help you stay fresh, so you’re able to get back on the road. After eight consecutive hours of driving (not eight hours after the workday begins), drivers must be off duty to take a break. You should know your limits. Driving tired or drowsy is putting yourself and others on the road at risk. Even taking a 20-minute power nap could be a game-changer to get you back on track.

Conclusion

Being a truck driver is no easy task and you must be mentally and physically prepared every day. A daily routine can provide many benefits like acquiring healthy habits, reducing stress levels, and improving mental health. Overall, these four tips will not only help improve your long days as a truck driver but, most importantly, will boost your mental health.

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