Exploring the country is one of the greatest benefits of long-haul trucking. Truckers are able to travel all over the country and see sights that many others miss. Michael Bilokonsky, a trucking entrepreneur and the founder of Whitehorse Freight, explains how long-haul truckers can make their journeys count by visiting some of the country’s best destinations.
Seeing Small-Town America
Long-haul truckers are needed in every community across the United States. Retail stores and other types of businesses depend on the food, consumer goods, and raw materials that truckers bring into their communities.
Truck drivers can get off the beaten path in many ways. They can explore cities and towns that many others would overlook. They can visit fun local sights and take in the best of small-town life with shops and restaurants.
Seeing the Sights
Many truckers are pleased when their travels take them through naturally beautiful areas like the desert Southwest. There is a great deal of sightseeing that can be done while driving and in between legs of a journey.
It can be difficult to explore many of these places while driving a big rig since trucks are not allowed in many places like national parks. If the driver parks in a safe place, they should be able to take another form of transportation to see the sights.
Going Beyond the Chains
Many truck drivers spend their days going between national chains when it comes to meals and motels. This can make their trips monotonous. It is more fun to find local places to eat and stay. When researching a trip, truckers can find out whether their trucks will be allowed to park at these locations and plan accordingly.
Seeing Family
When truckers’ routes take them close to family members, it is a good idea to take a break and see them. Many long-haul truckers do not get to see their families very often due to their busy driving schedules. Taking a break to see family members and friends can be refreshing.
Keeping a Travel Journal
Keeping a journal of all of the places a trucker has visited can be a fun way to share their travels with family members when they return home. This is especially rewarding if the trucker has children at home. Sharing photos and stories of their travels can educate children as well as make them feel closer to their parents.
Trip Planning Suggestions from Truck Drivers
Truckers are expert planners and can help the average driver with their travel plans. These suggestions from truck drivers will make a trip smoother and more enjoyable.
Plan Your Route Every Day
Trip planning is easier when drivers take the time to decide where they are going each day. Drivers should know where they are going and what routes they will take to get there. Preplanning each drive can help to make the journey more relaxing and help with last-minute mistakes that any driver can make.
Use Multiple Sources for Directions
It is best to avoid relying completely on smartphones’ mapping apps to get to the destination. It is possible that a smartphone could have problems like a lack of signal. Using multiple sources for directions, like road maps and atlases, can be a useful backup.
Write Directions Down
Many truckers write directions down on a stack of sticky notes, removing each note as they proceed through the legs of their journey. This is another way to avoid over-reliance on smartphone apps.
Plan Breaks
Every driver needs to take breaks for meals, overnight stays, and rest during the day. No one should push themselves past their endurance when it comes to driving. This can cause accidents. Drivers should look along their route and find places to take breaks in advance of their departure. Researching travel plazas, motels, and rest stops in advance can help to make a trip smoother.
Check the Weather
Something that many drivers forget to do is to check the weather along their path. If there is a storm coming, drivers should find a way to avoid it. Checking the weather ahead of time is a useful way to plan a trip.
Think About Logistics
Drivers should also think about the logistics of their trip. Long-haul truck drivers know where they can park and where their trucks are allowed. This is especially true if a driver has an RV or another large vehicle. Not all destinations allow RV or truck parking.
Plan Sightseeing
When the route is set ahead of time, drivers can check along the way for fun and interesting things to see. Doing internet research beforehand can bring suggestions for places that would be missed otherwise.
Making the Most of Each Trip
Traveling like a long-haul trucker takes careful planning. Long-haul truckers who want to enhance their journeys can plan their routes to include scenic areas. Michael Bilokonsky encourages truckers and other drivers to plan their routes carefully to increase safety, efficiency, and enjoyment.
