A recent study shows that most truck drivers perceive their job as demanding both in terms of physical exertion and emotional strain. The research conducted by DAT Freight & Analytics indicates that approximately 75% of participating drivers acknowledged the dual challenges of physical and emotional stress in their profession. However, only a limited number of drivers can effectively address their own welfare and access assistance when required.

The survey, which involved 504 truck drivers, with 337 of them being owner-operators, unveiled the specific factors contributing to stress while on the road:

  • Drivers miss time with friends and family: 54% of truck drivers spend less than 24 hours a week at home.
  • Drivers have a long workweek: 33% of drivers are driving more than 49 hours a week.
  • Nutrition is a challenge: 63% of truckers cook meals in their truck two to six days a week, and 37% eat fast food two to three days a week.
  • Long hours make it difficult to manage sleep and exercise: 63% of truckers sleep 6 hours or less per night, and 38% of truck drivers say they take medication to help them sleep.

Additionally, the survey delved into the strategies employed by truck drivers to handle their mental well-being. Roughly 46% of those surveyed indicated that having access to mental health services would serve as a viable approach to coping with stress. Nonetheless, among male drivers, merely 40% expressed openness to engaging in conversations with a counselor or therapist regarding their feelings and encounters. In contrast, a larger proportion of female drivers, around 58%, expressed a willingness to seek support from a counselor or therapist to address their emotions and experiences.

“As the country prepares for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week from Sept. 10-16, and celebrates the vital role of truck drivers in our economy, the DAT survey results show why it’s important to empathize with the challenges they face in their personal and professional lives,” said Jeff Hopper, Chief Marketing Officer at DAT. 

“Many truck drivers develop strategies to manage the long hours, isolation, and health issues that come with the job,” he said. “However, finding suitable places for sleep, healthy meals, and other necessities are constant challenges.”

The survey conducted by Censuswide on behalf of DAT gathered data from a representative sample of 504 truck drivers in the United States during the year 2023. Among these respondents, 438 identified as male, while 64 identified as female.