How Truck Drivers Can Manage Their Health on the Road

Truck drivers are an essential part of the Transportation industry in the United States. They move 72% of goods, including everyday necessities such as medicine and food, across thousands of miles. In some areas of the country, truck drivers are the only means of delivery. This makes them vital to keeping the economy in motion, meeting supply and demand.

Although many drivers find trucking to be rewarding, it is an occupation that comes at the expense of their health. Life on the road can be erratic and inconvenient, often physically and mentally straining for drivers. As a result, truck drivers statistically have shorter life spans and more health concerns than other careers.

Common health hazards that come with truck driving:

Lack of access to nutritionally balanced foods.
Health issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure
Lack of a sleep routine, insomnia, and lingering fatigue
Sleep apnea.
Consistently high-stress occupation.
Musculoskeletal problems because of little space and mobility within truck cabin.

A National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOHS) study of long-haul truck driving found that 69% of drivers are overweight and 80% suffer from at least one chronic disease, such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and/or heart disease. This is 54% higher than all other working adults in the U.S.

It reflects a growing health crisis within the transportation industry—one that threatens to topple an already strained system burdened by shortages and high turnover rates. Never has it been more important for drivers to shift gears towards prioritizing their physical and mental wellbeing not only for the sake of their livelihoods, but also their lives.

Here are a few things truck drivers can do to manage their health while on the road:

Move when you can:

Take a 10-minute walk around the travel center or stretch inside your cabin to stay active. Step in and out of your truck for cardio, or use onsite gyms for quick workouts when available. Bring weights for strength training on the go and commit to movement three days a week, 30 minutes each session.
Or, break it up—try 15 minutes a day, six days a week. Remember, any movement is better than none.

Eat with intention:

Most truck stops serve cheap, fast, and processed food, which leads to long-term health issues and costly medical care. Instead, pack a cooler with wraps, cut veggies, cheese, protein bars, and water for quick and healthy meals. When packing isn’t possible, choose better options like nuts, fruit, boiled eggs, yogurt, smoothies, or protein-rich snacks at rest stops. Look for simple foods with minimal ingredients—they’re often healthier and easier to digest on long drives.

Prioritize sleep:

Sleep restores the mind, heals the body, and supports your ability to stay alert behind the wheel. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep, even when deadlines are tight or routes get demanding. Consider upgrading your mattress and pillow to improve comfort and help you fall asleep faster in the cabin.

Use smart apps for better habits:

In today’s digital world, many apps help track your sleep, hydration, meals, and movement with simple daily reminders. Some apps even support meditation and small-space workouts, keeping you focused on wellness from anywhere.

Track your health on the road:

The CDL Health Scanner, a web-based tool, monitors vital signs and gives drivers insight into their current health. It also offers lifestyle resources and connects you to Higi Health clinics nationwide.

Learn more at Health Scanner.

Given the unpredictable nature of their jobs in the transportation industry, it is no easy task to ask drivers to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Like all human beings, it will take time, effort, and dedication for drivers to see any lasting physical and mental changes.

It all begins with a choice to shift gears and prioritize their health. To think in the long-term of their life goals and long-haul careers. What follows that choice is a series of small steps that lead to better and life-saving habits, ones that might inconvenience them for a time, but will result in improving their quality of life on the road.

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