National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is the second week in September, and was founded in 1998 by the American Trucking Association. This week is about recognizing the hard work of truck drivers across the United States. Their role is vital and one of the most demanding jobs in the country, so every year, we honor truck drivers across the country and say thank you for their sacrifices. They keep our highways safe and America moving.
Take time today to thank a trucker. Without truck drivers, our grocery stores, clothing stores, and our dinner tables would all be empty.
Learn more about the history of truck driving and how the transportation industry's frontline workers got their start.
Companies Celebrating NTDAW
- TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express
Travel centers of America are celebrating by hosting events nationwide offering deals through the TruckSmart app. On the app, drivers can find a list of deals on trucker-centric merchandise like radios, headsets, and dashcams. For a full list of events and deals, click here.
- Love's
Love's Travel Stops is a popular stop for truckers nationwide. Throughout the month of September, they are giving away 14 million My Love Rewards to drivers. Each time drivers use their My Loves Rewards card, they are entered for a chance to win 1,000 to 2,000 points daily and at the end of the month. Loves will be selecting a 1 million point winner. Additional offers are free Hot to Go sandwich and Fresh to Go salad.
- Jubitz
Jubitz is hosting their annual Driver Appreciation event on Sept 15th at the main campus. In previous years, the event has included free lunch, vendors, games and more. Drivers will also receive swag bags full of prizes from Jubitz and sponsors. For more information about his event, click here.
- Pilot Flying J
Pilot is trying to bring back the Trucker Salute, making a video to show the long-missed gesture. All month long, they are giving drivers free drinks, bonus loyalty points, and more. To help revive the salute, send Pilot a video of you doing the salute, and they will donate $5 to Trucking Moves America Forward for each post that tags them.
- Denny's
Denny's is celebrating and showing their appreciation by offering a whole month of discounts to truck drivers.
- C.H. Robinson
C.H. Robinson is doing a digital thank you campaign encouraging the public to send thank you notes to truckers. Throughout the week, they will give away $50,000 in a cash sweepstakes to drivers and carriers. They are also donating $1 for every thank you submitted, up to $25,000 to St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund. Drivers can submit their name here for a chance to be 1 of 10 drivers a day who will win $1,000.
- Truckers News
Trucker News is hosting their annual "I Luv My Trucker" appreciation event where family and friends can nominate drivers and tell them why they love the drivers in their lives. Submit your nomination here along with a photo.
Show your Appreciation
During this week, truck stops, trucking organizations, and others all show their appreciation by offering deals and thanking truck drivers for their hard work. If you know a truck driver, send them a thank you card. Post an appreciation post on social media, and use #ThankATrucker or #NTDAW to show your gratitude.
10 Facts about Truck Drivers and the Industry
- There are approximately 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States (US Census)
- 7.95 million people held trucking-related jobs in 2019 (American Trucking Association)
- In 2018, truck drivers in the United States drove a total of 304.9 billion miles combined (All Trucking)
- Truck drivers delivered 11.84 billion tons of freight in 2019 (All Trucking)
- 41.5% of truck drivers in the United States are minorities (American Trucking Association)
- Trucks carry more than 70% of all goods transported in the United States (Markets Insider)
- Most grocer stores would run out of food in 3 days if over-the-road truck drivers stopped driving (Markets Insider)
- The United States has the highest GDP in the world because of truck driving (Azuga)
- The average long-haul trucker logs more than 100,000 miles a year (Azuga)
- In 2018, nearly 8% of the driver force was female (Zippia)
