National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 15–21, 2024, and it’s a great time to reflect on the importance of the trucking industry and the drivers who transport goods and provide services across the United States. 

Truck drivers do more than just move a few items from one location to another. They’re responsible for keeping the country’s supply chain moving and ensuring people all over the U.S. have access to the goods and products they need to survive. 

In fact, truck drivers move a range of commodities including mixed freight, rubber and plastics, foodstuffs, textiles, gasoline, pharmaceuticals, and many other items that are necessities in many people’s lives. Without truck drivers to move these commodities, many of these products would never make it to their destinations, effectively cutting off entire parts of the country from the goods needed to live.

As a way of saying thank you for the service of truck drivers in the United States, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) established National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Here’s what you can do to take part and show your appreciation for the drivers who make the supply chain, and life, in the United States possible. 

Recognizing the Backbone of America’s Economy

Truck drivers are a vital part of the U.S. economy, working hard to deliver freight from one side of the country to the other. Without truck drivers, the supply chain does not run smoothly — a reality that has been driven home over the last several years (particularly during the height of the pandemic). 

Interestingly, the trucking industry moves around 10.23 billion tons of freight in the United States alone each year. That works out to approximately 72.5% of the total domestic tonnage annually. In practice, the supply chain only works because of the hardworking men and women who are behind the wheels of their vehicles — the supply chain would simply be unsustainable without them. 

And, the importance of the industry is reflected in the statistics. The U.S. trucking market was valued at $217.3 billion in 2022, and it’s expected to continue growing at a 3% annual growth rate through the year 2027. That growth is a direct reflection of the need for goods and services around the country and pressure on the industry to continue delivering commodities around the country.

Supporting Truck Drivers Who Support the U.S. 

Despite the fact that truck drivers are such an integral part of the U.S. economy, there are sacrifices they make that are largely overlooked by the general public. These drivers often work long hours, take extended time away from their families, and deal with challenges on the road. For example:

• Many truck drivers work shifts where they drive a maximum of 11 hours within a 14-hour window. They take at least 10 hours off after that stretch, but they may be back on the road immediately at that time.
• Truck drivers may work within the same state or work across state lines. Some will travel thousands of miles weekly, transporting cargo from the East to the West Coast (or even further, such as up to Alaska or internationally to Canada or Mexico). Depending on the route, some drivers may not see their families for eight days or longer, and many drivers have “home time” only around once every three weeks. 
• Some truck drivers run into challenges on the road. Those challenges may include difficult travel, slowdowns on their routes because of traffic jams or collisions, and traveling in poor weather conditions. Drivers need to have training to handle everything from breakdowns to severe weather events while still keeping an eye on their cargo and ensuring their routes are completed as close to on time as possible. 

It can seem like a lot to take in once you start to break down some of the negatives of truck driving, but this is an excellent career for many people. And, it’s a necessary service that keeps the country’s supply chain running as it should. Without truck drivers, everyone’s lives would be more difficult. 

It’s for those reasons that it’s so important for everyone to recognize the labor these individuals provide and the service they’re performing to keep the United States economy moving. 

The History of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Truck Driver Appreciation Week was first recognized in 1988. That year, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) launched the week to help recognize and acknowledge the hard work put in by professional truck drivers all around the country. 

Over time, Truck Driver Appreciation Week has grown to include over 3.6 million professional truck drivers. These drivers have an impact on every part of the United States and are responsible for bringing freight to communities across the country. Whether it’s food, medicine, or clothing, over 80% of communities in America rely on truck drivers to bring them the goods they need — without them, many communities would struggle with access to common necessities. 

This year’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week takes place from September 15th through the 21st and is being celebrated not only among those in the industry but also online and in public. On social media, you can use the hashtag #NTDAW24 to view more about events and to see posts about this important time of year. And, you can also learn more about NTDAW by reaching out to or following sponsors such as Intact Insurance, Act 1, and others. 

How You Can Show Appreciation to Truck Drivers

With a better understanding of the importance of the trucking industry and the drivers within, you may be wondering how you can show your appreciation during Truck Driver Appreciation Week. 

Some top options for recognizing truck drivers include:

• Offering to buy a driver a meal when you see them at a stop
• Thanking a driver for their service
• Giving a truck driver a simple gift, such as a snack or bottle of water
• Being aware of truck drivers on the road and ensuring you treat them with respect, avoiding cutting them off or causing dangerous road conditions

While recognizing drivers during Truck Driver Appreciation Week is a wonderful time to do so, don’t forget to recognize them throughout the rest of the year. By thanking a driver for their service, giving them a small gift, or simply sending a compliment to their company about their excellent driving skills, you can make a driver’s day and even help them further their career with your feedback. 

Celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week With Pride

At Pride Transport, we recognize the importance of truck drivers. Our family-run business in Salt Lake City believes in doing what you love, doing it well, and treating all our drivers with honesty and respect. Are you interested in starting your career in the trucking industry? Join us at Pride.