Truck driving has its entertaining moments, but people outside of the industry can be just as amused and educated by the truck driving lifestyle through documentaries and TV shows. Whether you’re looking for a travel adventure, an insider’s perspective on industry operations, or a glimpse into the daily lives of truck drivers, these documentaries and TV shows have something to offer everyone.

A Look Back at the History of Trucking

The trucking industry has evolved significantly over the past several decades, and seasoned drivers know that freight transportation will continue to change. Documentaries and TV shows covering the history of truck driving offer older drivers a chance to reflect on how far the industry has come while giving new drivers an interesting perspective on the profession’s evolution.

"Big Rig"

Released in 2007, “Big Rig” is among the most well known and popular documentaries about and for truck drivers. The documentary features interviews with several long-haul truck drivers across the United States. Drivers discuss their personal stories and offer insights on the trucking lifestyle as the three-person production crew joins them for portions of their cross-country trips. Today’s truck drivers might be surprised by how much has (and hasn’t) changed about the industry in the last 17 years.

"American Trucker"

Interested in big-rig truck restorations, off-the-wall road trips, and learning little-known facts about the history of trucking? Then “American Trucker” is the show for you. Host Robb Mariani takes viewers all over the country, from touring giant truck manufacturers to retracing the iconic route in the popular movie “Smokey and the Bandit”. The wide range of topics makes learning the history of trucking fun and shows how trucking impacts more people than many non-drivers might think.

Life on the Road: Stories of Real Truck Drivers

Most truck drivers have had moments where they’ve thought out loud, “This job should be a TV show!” While most days are average or uneventful, drivers are bound to have some unusual, crazy, or I-can’t-believe-that-just-happened moments when driving thousands of miles each year. These shows showcase the daily lives of some of these truck drivers — though it’s safe to say that despite having similar jobs, daily life can look pretty different depending on where you live and drive!

"Truckers: Life on the Road"

This short documentary series profiles the drivers at Owens, “one of the oldest and biggest haulage companies in Wales,” according to BBC One. Storylines include snippets from the lives of different drivers and other industry professionals at Owens, giving viewers a glimpse into a range of jobs and what it takes for each day to go well when anything could happen. Put this show on when you’re looking for relatable moments and a cast of characters that feels like they could be your own coworkers.

“Ice Road Truckers”

The extremely popular TV series “Ice Road Truckers” is the perfect example of one person’s “typical day” looking not at all typical to the rest of us. Airing from 2007–2017, “Ice Road Truckers” originally featured six drivers who delivered vital supplies to remote locations via ice roads, or frozen lakes that essentially double as roads when necessary.


Over the course of the series, we’re introduced to more drivers and learn even more about this niche truck-driving experience from their perspectives. While it might not look like what most truck drivers do every day, “Ice Road Truckers” is entertaining and might make you grateful to not drive in weather that extreme.

The Logistics and Challenges of Trucking

Logistics are an extremely important and complex component of the transportation industry. Without dialed-in logistical planning, freight doesn’t get delivered, schedules get derailed, and supply chain backups disrupt more and more aspects of our daily lives. Logistics are impacted by so many different factors — weather conditions, supply chains, national and international regulations — that some days, it can feel like there’s a lot at stake for logistics professionals.

“Freightened: The Real Price of Shipping” illustrates exactly what’s at stake and how freight and transportation have evolved (not always for the better) to meet society’s expectations and demand for supplies at increasingly faster rates. Though the film focuses on cargo shipping, it’s worth watching to gain a better understanding of the complexities of transporting freight.

Famous Highways and Landmarks

Truck drivers see many parts of the country that most people won’t experience in their lifetime, but even the most well-traveled driver might not get to catch every major landmark. Documentaries and shows like the ones below can fill in the gaps and maybe even inspire you to consider new routes.

“Route 66 Women: The Untold Story of the Mother Road”

If there’s a more famous highway in the U.S. than Route 66, we’ve never heard of it. Route 66, nicknamed the Mother Road, has inspired countless books, songs, movies, and TV shows since it first opened to travelers nearly 100 years ago. But not everyone’s story is as well known, and “Route 66 Women: The Untold Story of the Mother Road” aims to change that. This short docuseries focuses on the lives of women who “overcame gender discrimination and segregation to build fulfilling lives and legacies on America’s most iconic highway.”

Interstate 80

Nearly as famous as Route 66 is Interstate 80, the east-west transcontinental freeway connecting New Jersey to California. I-80 has inspired its fair share of media, too. A quick search for “Interstate 80” offers a wide selection of TV shows, documentary series, movies, and books about this highway.

Located along I-80 is Iowa 80, advertised as the World’s Largest Truck Stop. The site covers 220 acres (typical truck stops top out at 75 acres!) and is considered a must-see attraction when traveling I-80. For those whose routes don’t head that way, search for Iowa 80 on YouTube to find video tours of this truly unique destination.

Join Pride Transport

Truck-driving TV shows and documentaries are a great way to enjoy your downtime, but joining the team at Pride Transport is a great way to enjoy your career. Whether you’re looking for a driving job or a non-driver role, we think you’ll find what you’re looking for at Pride. Check out our open positions or contact us today to learn more.