COVID-19 Trucking Updates
Let us help you keep rolling through the pandemic.
To help ease your stress over the road, we are going to keep the latest and most pertinent news updates on the COVID-19 crisis available to you here along with sources for you to get help.
News will be summarized and links pertaining to the topic will be attached for further information.
U.S. Department of Transportation News
• FMCSA posts guidelines for transportation workers providing support for hard hit areas. Including health safety guidelines when at shipping and delivery locations. Read more about it here.
• Motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in support of relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks are granted emergency relief from the FMCSA Hours of Service Laws. Read the declaration and rules here.
Expansion of this declaration as of 04/09/2020 extends the HOS emergency relief through May 15th, 2020. Read it here.
• FMCSA CDL waiver extends CDL expiration for 120 days for CDL’s due for renewal on or after March 1st, 2020. Read more about the declaration and other extended deadlines here.
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Information related to COVID-19 from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration can be found here.
Trucking Locations
The latest updates from all major truck stop chains such as TA/Petro, Pilot/Flying J, and Love’s Truck Stops include that locations are open and running. All locations nationwide are also requiring masks. Showers are being cleaned more thoroughly so you can expect slightly increased wait times for a clean shower. Restaurants are limited to carry out orders though some dine in locations have reopened. Large areas of gatherings are at limited capacity such as drivers lounges and casinos. Social distancing is being practiced. Hand sanitizing stations are strategically placed near entrances/exits, and areas of high usage.
Pilot/Flying J and Love’s Truck stops have begun mask enforcement nationwide.
Travel Centers of America / Petro : Check for location updates here.
Pilot / Flying J : Check for location updates here.
Love’s Travel Center : Check for location updates here.
SappBros: Check for location updates here.
Check with the State DOT site in question for exact location information.
Use our quick link page for all state DOT websites here.
Customer Locations
You can expect some customer locations to shut down or slow down manufacturing due to local and statewide mandates and/or recent breakouts. Those that remain open are deemed an essential business and therefore will have to maintain stricter sanitation and safety practices. There have been reports of personal information being requested and temperature check points. You may also be asked to take a questionnaire inquiring as to your recent travel history, if you are experiencing any flu like symptoms, have had any symptoms in recent days, or have been around anyone who was sick in recent weeks. Most locations are requiring you to wear protective gear, including but not limited to, face masks, shoe covers, protective head gear, full body suit protectors, and/or gloves. Warehouses have also been asking drivers to sanitize their hands upon entering the facility. Please do your part when at shipping and receiving destinations to keep America running smoothly.
Driver Resources
The SBA has implemented multiple programs to help small businesses with their financial needs.
DrOnDemand allows you to have virtual medical health and mental health visits right from your cell phone. Doctors are able to examine you, prescribe medications, and guide you further if you are having any flu like symptoms. Mental health visits offered through the app are in 30 minute and 50 minute sessions. Utilize your down time because there’s no better time to take steps to improve your mental health.
St. Christopher Trucker Relief Fund
The St. Christopher Trucker Relief Fund is a foundation focused around assisting drivers and their families through times of crisis and can help connect you with valuable resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, or fearful - you are not alone. Please don’t suffer in silence, and reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline if you are having thoughts of suicide.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255.
Feel Good News
One positive ripple effect coming from the COVID-19 outbreak is the nationwide acknowledgment of truck drivers. From our government down to locals in our communities helping drivers, the outpouring of appreciation has been overwhelming to the industry. We decided to highlight some stories below.
Logan Miller, a teenager from West Virginia, uses his allowance to purchase and supply lunch for truckers at rest area. Watch the video here.
Iowa scale house passes out 500 lunches to drivers as a part of the #thankatrucker movement. See the post here.
Kentucky State Police hand out lunches to CDL drivers. Read more here.
Wyoming Sheriff assists a truck stuck on Teton Pass. Watch the video here.
High School in Washington State opens as makeshift truck stop to aid truckers during crisis. Read more here.
Sam Brock from The Today Show does a segment focusing on trucker appreciation. Watch the video here.
USA Today acknowledges truck drivers are more than just essential, repeating the famous trucking quote “If We Stop, The World Stops.” Read the story here.
April 2020 - Our United States White House thanked all of our nation’s truck drivers.
We appreciate you always and we need you now more than ever.
Stay healthy, and hammer down drivers!
Healthy Food for Truckers
“Whether you are a driver or a CEO, the trucker diet should be a problem that you want to solve…”
Within seconds of walking into a truck stop, the trucker diet becomes immediately evident; energy drinks, expansive soda machines, roller dogs, and multiple ascending rows of a brightly lit junk food section to go along with it all. Whether you are a driver or a CEO, the trucker diet should be a problem that you want to solve because our industry won’t survive long on this road.
When we say diet, we don’t mean a strictly regimented schedule and calorie count food plan. We mean the lifestyle of truckers leading to negative eating habits that aid in early onset diseases, which is taking a massive toll on our drivers. It’s hard as a trucker to pass up a hot meal, thus nutritional facts are disregarded, along with their health due to so called “convenience”.
There are few healthy choices at truck stops, though progress is being made because they have to keep up with the generational shift. Beverage options are slowly expanding with more juice and water choices becoming available along with a wider selection of fresh fruit and healthy snacks. We desperately look forward to the day that the junk section is the smallest section at the truck stop.
“The idea that with every purchase you make, you vote for a product, is a sales reality. Truck stops need to aid in the responsibility of driver health and incorporate healthier products to give drivers the chance to vote.”
-J.R. (Founder of Millennials in Trucking)
Truckers sometimes sit between a rock and a hard place when it comes to what and when to eat. It’s immediately uncomfortable to try and eat a sizable meal before bed, and can lead to a plethora of health problems. Eating that same meal before a long shift can lead to increased weight gain and fatigue. It can be hard to find a healthy balance, so we recommend eating lightly throughout the day and being conscious of portion control for larger meals.
Healthy Meal and Snack Recommendations:
Fresh Fruit (apples, bananas, oranges, melons, etc.)
Fresh Vegetables (Carrots, celery, cucumbers, etc.)
Protein bars / Granola bars (Limited Ingredients)
Low Sodium Canned Soups
Applesauce (unsweetened)
Frozen Vegetables in Steam bags
Raw Nuts (Peanuts, Pistachios, Cashews, etc.)
Sunflower and Pumpkin Seeds
Trail Mix (minus the candies)
Pretzels (Low Sodium/Unsalted)
Popcorn (Unsalted without butter)
Veggie Chips
Salad Kits
Dark Chocolate (Higher cacao %, the better for you)
Hummus
Guacamole
Peanut butter
Low sodium Crackers
Dried Fruit (No added sugars or preservatives)
Roasted Chickpeas
Roasted Edamame
Dry Cereal or Granola (High Fiber, Low Sugar)
Oatmeal
Baked potato
Kale Chips
Raisins
Choosing natural and organic products while limiting artificial ingredients, preservatives, and GMOs, can further help your energy levels and your overall health.
“Vote for your health.”
Please note, information found on this page is for entertainment purposes only. Any action taken upon the methods described and information on this website is strictly at your own risk.
Road Rules - Trucker Edition
Thoughts from within the trucking community.
This segment is from trucker to trucker featuring points we all make to eachother sometimes with the use of sign language through our windows, or verbally over the CB radio.
Here’s a brief highlight of what professional truck drivers will agree on and what the rooks need to know before taking the wheel to the highways.
Pull up when you’re done fueling. This can’t be said enough. There’s nothing worse than waiting behind a truck that isn’t fueling and the driver is M.IA. Don’t make another driver wait for you to run your errands or to take your 30. Pump your diesel, DEF, and reefer, and move along speedily. If there isn’t another truck in the pull up, you should be able to get all 3 services in 15 minutes. We’ve all got somewhere to be, so don’t assume another drivers responsibility to adhere to your schedule if you’re the type to throw a wrench in theirs.
Let another truck over. You know first hand how hard it is dodging four wheelers all day than to add to the headache. If you can get over safely, then do so. Be courteous and watch out for one another, give your fellow driver the space he needs, and set the example.
Don’t be a “passhole.” Don’t speed up when another truck is trying to pass you. You didn’t realize your adaptive cruise control set you at 60 MPH in a 70 MPH speed zone but don't punish the next driver for it. You leave them hanging out in the left lane to slow down traffic even though you were the one falling behind. Let the driver do their thing to pass smoothly, and wait to get back to speed when you’re both in the clear.
Stay off my back doors. You wouldn’t expect another trucker to pull up on you, like you personally were the reason they're running late but it will happen. Don't be that guy. The easy solution is to watch upcoming traffic in your lane so you know ahead of time to get over so you can pass quickly and safely. If you think trying to keep a football field distance in front of you was hard, imagine trying to do so with another truck stuck to your bumper, pushing you down the road at 65 MPH. Respect the space behind that trailer in front of you because you know better.
Do not cut off another truck. Period.
No one likes the Jake Brake Jack. You know the guy; bumper to bumper traffic and he’s got his jake brakes set on max to let everyone know he's rolling 10 feet forward. A true professional driver knows how to keep safe distance in heavy traffic with light pressure on the brake pedal. Jake brake Jack doesn’t consider that he’s got multiple team trucks around him and someone’s trying to sleep, he just wants to put his straight pipes to good use. Allowing your diesel motor to roll on a low gear resistance and you will find that you barely need your brakes in a slow crawl, let alone the jake brake.
Utilize your marker interrupter, or don’t? This is an ongoing debate between truckers, with no end in sight. Some truckers hate that you’ll flash your high beams to let them know they’re clear, then there are the rest of us that are less prideful. You’ll find yourself in a blinding storm with rain, snow, or ice building up on your side view mirrors, to the point that you're hesitant to get over, but then the driver behind you gives you a quick flash, and it sets you at ease to merge over. You won’t appreciate it when you’re blinded by high beams in clear weather, but you will understand the calming effect a quick conformation can bring on rough roads. There is no correct way to communicate to other drivers; high beams, marker interrupter, or light control panel - either way you will get your point across. Whichever suits you, this small line of communication makes all of our jobs just a little bit easier. Looking for a rule of thumb? In bad weather, flash your high beams, and in clear weather use your marker interrupter.
The left lane is for passing. For truckers, the middle lane is our left lane. Due to a ridiculous and outdated road system that will cut us off from using the 2 left lanes on a 4 lane highway, or the 3 left lanes on a 5+ lane interstate, you will notice the battle between these lanes in your first few days of driving a rig. Use your defensive driving skills with full intention to keep traffic flowing. Yes, you will have to be on constant alert for merging traffic entering the interstate, and yes, you will come up on a slower truck eventually - but there is nothing worse than being hung to dry out in the wrong lane when you're attempting to pass impeding traffic. If you block the left lanes, you are causing a much greater slow down behind you while contributing to unnecessary brake checks. The left lane is for passing, so get back over.