5 WAYS TRUCK DRIVERS SAVE MONEY ON THE ROAD

Traveling long distances and being on the road can mean a lot of expenses for you, even if the average base salary of truck drivers in the United States is $70,754 annually. In this article, our Driver Recruitment Agency shares with you the five ways truck drivers save money on the road. Keep reading and discover.

Best Five Ways Truck Drivers Save Money on the Road

The following are the essential tips our recruitment agency for truck drivers recommend so that you can cut your expenses and save money in the long haul.

1. Stay Healthy

Obesity is one of the industry's most challenging issues truck drivers face. 86% of about 3.2 million truck drivers in the US are obese, based on a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, as cited in a report by the New York Times.

In order to avoid this and save money on the road, a truck driver advises maintaining good health. The reason for this is that staying in good health will enable you to spend less money now and in the future on medications and other medical expenses.

How many hours do truckers drive a day? A truck driver has an 11-hour driving limit based on the strict service hours mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Long periods of time spent driving can be bad for your health. So, here are some health advice for drivers.

Exercise and add regular physical activities to your day. Check out this Tiktok video for exercises that can be done while over the road. They are trucking-specific exercises that don’t need much equipment.

Avoid skipping breakfast. Whatever your profession, it's the most crucial meal of the day. Regular breakfast eaters and those who start their mornings with milk, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are frequently in better health than the overall population.

One of the reminders is aimed at truck drivers. Breakfast provides you with the energy you need for the rest of the day because it increases blood sugar levels and curbs appetite before lunch. Truck drivers make frequent trips. Consequently, having a healthy breakfast can enable you to save money.

A few breakfast ideas for truck drivers are fresh fruits, oatmeal, and protein bars. Eat a heavy breakfast and then eat smaller food portions throughout the day to keep you satisfied and avoid hunger while saving you money and staying healthy.

You can learn money-saving tips for truck drivers and nibble on nutritious cuisine to cut down on meal portions. Some suggestions include string cheese, yogurt, hummus, mixed nuts, dried fruit, hard-boiled eggs, and dark chocolate.

Regardless of whether you are a local, regional, or professional truck driver, make sure you are drinking enough water to stay hydrated and awake while driving. To keep your body hydrated and performing at its best, consume at least eight glasses of water daily.

Another suggestion for drivers who want to stay healthy while driving is to limit their caffeine intake. Although ingesting too much of it might be detrimental, it may help you stay awake and alert. So, don't drink more than two cups of coffee.

You’ll save more money on the road while staying healthy if you avoid soda in your diet. Bottled beverages contain a lot of sugar and dehydrate the body. Drink water instead.

According to the CDC, fatigued drivers are more likely to operate heavy equipment including tractor trailers, tow trucks, and buses.

Get at least seven hours of sleep each night. The best way to avoid drunk driving is by this method. So make getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night a priority.

Due to the prolonged truck driver driving hours, make sure to take a break every two hours, if you can. Additionally, it keeps you from getting antsy while driving. Additionally, you might wish to extend your legs, touch your toes, perform a few brief jumping jacks, and twist your neck to improve blood flo

Staying healthy while on the road is a great way to save money as a truck driver.

2. Limit Food Spending

Another tip on how to save money in the trucking business is to limit your food spending. Of course, the number one way to do this is to prepare meals.

You will save between $5 and $7 if you do, which is the average cost of fast food and restaurant meals. Therefore, despite the fact that long commutes and occasionally cross-country travel may make eating out appear necessary and inescapable, it is not.

How to save money on food as a truck driver? First, save money on the road by making your meals to save between $1.50 and $3.00 per meal. In addition, you might want to invest in a trucker-friendly appliance, like a microwave oven or a refrigerator, to cut expenses as a truck driverfurther.

Make supper quickly on the truck. You are well aware of the financial strain eating at restaurants and eating fast food may cause. If you avoid eating at restaurants, quick food outlets, and truck stops regularly, it will also be simple to keep your driving expenses under control.

If you correctly prepare your meals, you might be able to avoid getting sick when travelling from foodborne infections. By bringing your own food and drink, you can also save time. Being hungry and trapped makes it useful to have food close by.

3. Save on Fuel

In our experience in truck driver recruiting and talking to many truck drivers regularly, fuel is another costly variable expense on the road (and what can determine fleet owner profit).

The most expensive states for gas for truck drivers in the USA are California, Hawaii, Alaska, Nevada, and Oregon. However, depending on specific criteria, such as the location's access to oil refineries and pipelines based on the same source, there may be price variations within a city or state.

Fortunately, there are ways to save money for a truck on fuel.

· Did you know that for every 10 psi that one tire is underinflated, a semi-MPG truck's might decrease by roughly one percent? Keep an eye on your tyre pressure. Before you hit the road, make sure your tyres are properly inflated to save money and extend the life of your tires.

· Cut the engine if you’re going to be stopped for a couple of minutes to save fuel. Some states like California have idling laws – idling for at least five minutes could get you a fine.

· Keep your engine in high gear to conserve fuel. Avoid making your engine work harder than it needs to. You can reduce the amount of time you need to use the brake and gas pedals by gradually increasing and decreasing your speed.

· Control your speed because the fuel burns more fast when you're going at least 55 mph. Practice slowing down while widening your following distance to avoid accelerating and decelerating more frequently.

· Slow down earlier when approaching hills and collect much momentum. Then, once you reach the apex, you can coast downhill easily and without your foot on the gas pedal.

· Do not overfill to avoid wasteful overflow when the fuel tank is beyond its capacity.

· least amount of resistance possible. Keep your cargo load uniform and light. If you are unable to balance the weight, position the heavier cargo near the front of the trailer to lessen drag.

· Utilize driver feedback systems for improved fuel efficiency and fuel cost savings. Last but not least, driving responsibly will enable you to save money by preventing costly citations and keeping you and other drivers safe.

You might also like: Technology Helping Trucking Companies To Increase Driver Retention

4. Create a budget and stick to it

One of the tips our driver recruitment firm shares with truck drivers to save money on the road is to create a (sustainable) budget they can stick with. This will help you become more aware of ways to save money.?

Start by creating a weekly or monthly budget. This is one of the best financial tips for truck drivers. What, such as groceries or bills, do you intend to purchase with your money? In the part right opposite, add a column for any unanticipated costs and then set a fixed amount to stay under your budget.

A truck driver app can be used to track and manage your spending in addition to planning. It is able to manage bills, categorize transactions, and receive overspending alerts. However, it can assist you in keeping track of your out-of-pocket costs.

A truck driver's budget and daily spending log are essential money-saving tools. As a consequence, you'll have a greater understanding of your spending habits, whether they're good or bad, and where your money is going. You might be surprised!

Here are a couple more budgeting tips for you -

Know the perks and compensation you receive. Take advantage of all the benefits you receive as a truck driver and learn everything there is to know about your compensation package to maximize your revenue. Your helpful truck driver recruiting services, like Rig on Wheels, will be able to talk to you about it if you're a new driver.

Make a budget and be able to document your income and expenses. Common expenses of a truck driver include –

On-the-road expenses

·? ? ? ? ATM fees

·? ? ? ? Snacks

·? ? ? ? Meals

·? ? ? ? Toiletries

·? ? ? ? Entertainment

·? ? ? ? Laundry

·? ? ? ? Shower

At-home expenses

·? ? ? ? Utilities

·? ? ? ? Rent or mortgage

·? ? ? ? Cell phone plan payment

·? ? ? ? Car payment

·? ? ? ? Groceries

·? ? ? ? Subscriptions

·? ? ? ? Internet

·? ? ? ? Medical costs

·? ? ? ? Insurance

·? ? ? ? Childcare

You may start allocating your budget once you have a solid understanding of your spending. For instance, set a budget for your food expenses and record them each week. Then, you can adjust as necessary by making a few tiny adjustments, especially to non-essential purchases like rarely used subscriptions, if you notice overspending in some areas.

5. Use Wi-Fi

The internet has changed the truck driver experience through the years, being on the road for long hours but with few social interactions.

Additionally, it has completely changed the transportation business and made enormous strides in fields like communication, road and weather conditions, and upgrades to industry-specific compliance standards.

Lastly, use Wi-Fi, one of the truck driver tips and tricks to save money on the road. As you may know, data usage can be expensive, especially when traveling cross-country and long distances.

The majority of drivers still use data plans that charge overage fees when the limit is surpassed, despite the fact that some drivers pick unlimited data plans.

Use WIFI as frequently as you can as a truck driver to save money. Take advantage of places with free wireless internet. There shouldn't be a problem because almost every establishment has it. But don't be afraid to ask. Use wireless internet as often as possible to avoid paying extra for internet data on top of your phone plan.

You might also like: 10 Steps to Finding the Ideal Truck Driver.

Where to find free Wi-Fi

· Wireless internet is frequently used in truck stops, whether they are in a rural or busy location. Nearly every rest stop gives truck drivers access to the internet, which not only helps them save money on the road but also lets them stay in touch with loved ones.

· Mobile devices can be used by truck drivers to access the internet. Some companies that employ CDL drivers provide mobile devices, while others use their own smartphones or other gadgets. A Mi-Fi router may also be included in some trucks, allowing up to two drivers to access the internet while on the road for a price from their wireless service provider.

· Additionally, you can connect for free via public Wi-Fi. It might be offered in a public setting, like a coffee shop. As a result, finding a nearby truck stop is not necessary to access the internet.

· Some transport providers may provide direct satellite service. This direct satellite gives drivers access to a company-funded wireless internet connection in line with an agreement between the trucking company and the internet service provider. Drivers get free access to this service.

There you have the top five ways truck drivers save money on the road. Do you think we forgot something else? Feel free to let us know. Finally, share this article on social media and spread the word to help other truck drivers today!

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If you work in the trucking industry and want to share your experience, email me at [email protected]

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