“Long haul” is defined as a long distance in reference to the transport of freight or passengers. Many truck drivers know what the long haul is because they’ve lived it– they’ve experienced trips that take them from state to state for days at a time… through all kinds of weather and challenges. A long haul takes a lot of time and energy for the average trucker to accomplish. What are some things truckers do to pass time on a long haul?
Active Minds
Along the way, many truckers turn to the radio, CDs and/or podcasts to keep their minds active while driving long distances. If you like listening to music, most towns have a variety of stations playing music ranging from Country to Rock and then some. Or there are talk shows, like Rush Limbaugh or Coast to Coast, that keep many truckers company. For those with smartphones, putting on a favorite podcast can bring some much needed laughter in the cab and/or a chance to think about life’s bigger questions, as there are comedic and inspirational podcasts available to download, often for free.
Proper Rest
During down time, when the truck is off the road and a trucker gets such much needed rest, what is there to do besides sleep? How about reading and writing as hobbies? If you like biographies of famous people or historical novels, bring some books from home or your local library with you on your long haul. If you’d rather watch a movie, there are always DVD options, as well as streaming services from Netflix or Amazon. When you can find a free Wi-Fi signal, that’s great– enjoy browsing the Internet, scrolling Facebook, posting Tweets, etc. Oh– and online games are quite popular, too. If you enjoy writing, keep a journal of your trip(s).
Moving Around
Even though truckers sit for much of the day, when they get out of their truck they can always choose to exercise– even if it’s just at a truck stop for a quick run around the parking lot perimeter. Walking and/or running are the easiest exercises to do since they don’t require any special equipment. That said, many truckers like booking hotels that have indoor pools for a swim and/or a fitness room where they can lift weights, run on a treadmill, and/or use the stationary bike.
Take in the Surroundings
Finally, on long haul trips, truckers might want to consider themselves temporary tourists– albeit ones who might not be able to do all the things other tourists who don’t have giant trucks can do… If and when you find a decent parking space and you’ve got time off, visit some touristy spots in the various towns on your journey. Meet up with friends and family along the way, too, as they’ll have a car or SUV to pick you up and take you around town.
Keeping your mind and body active on long hauls is essential.
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