The last quarter of the year is a time filled with chaos as well as celebration. Along with holiday parties and festive gatherings, companies are wrapping up business for the final months. Holiday trucking doesn't have to wear you out. We've gathered some tips from seasoned drivers to help you juggle the festivities and the responsibilities.
Winter Weather Driving
To add to the chaos, the weather gets colder and you'll likely have to drive in winter weather. Most of the Nation sets their clocks back as Daylight Savings Time ends, so it gets dark right in the middle of rush-hour traffic.
Severe weather can shut down the highways, leaving you stranded in your truck for days. You'll want to prepare for such an emergency.
Stock Up on Supplies
When the winter cold hits, you'll need to be prepared. Make sure you have plenty of the essentials on board when you hit the road.
Drinking water. The risk of dehydration isn't just a summertime thing. Even though you don't sweat as much in cold weather, your body still loses water. It's important to drink plenty of water in the cold weather as well.
Food. If winter weather shuts down the freeway, you don't need to suffer from hunger. When the snow drifts start to tower above you, there's no telling how long you could be stuck before traffic starts moving again. Keep your cooler stocked with wholesome vittles to get you through.
Winter coat. You'll spend most of your time in the warm, heated cab. Yet there will come times you have to leave the comfort of your rig. It goes without saying you'll need to keep warm outside the truck.
Blankets. It's easy to overlook this since you spend most of your time in the heated cab. But there could come a time when your APU malfunctions and you can't idle the truck (because of low fuel, for example). It's good to be prepared in the event of an emergency.
Tire chains. Of course, you want to make sure you have snow chains for this time of year. A few states require you to have them, and papa bear will be checking for them at the CMV station.
You'll want to keep your fuel tanks full in freezing weather. If you're going into cold weather areas, be sure to fuel up with diesel blended for the local weather conditions. If you buy fuel in the south and then head to the mountains of Montanna, you could have a problem with the fuel gelling. Plan your fuel purchases for the areas you expect to be running the most.
Check the Weather Report
It's a good idea to look at the weather forecasts when you're doing your trip plan. Check the weather on your intended routes before the start of the trip, and check again when you stop for breaks. This will help you foresee any weather delays.
Waze and map programs that integrate with it will show you where there are snow-covered routes you might want to avoid.
Bridges and overpasses can be especially treacherous. They tend to freeze before the roadway.
You should also watch for black ice conditions. That is, ice can form on the roadway that you can't see.
In black ice conditions, keep an eye on the traffic ahead. Look for vehicles that appear to go into a skid. This will give you an early warning of ice patches ahead.
Be Prepared, Even in Warmer Regions
Don't think that driving in the deep South states means you won't run into snow or ice. It's true that they don't get as much winter weather in the South, but you could run into it every now and then.
Take Florida for instance. It's known as a state where people like to retire, not only because there's no state income tax, but because they won't have as much cold weather aggravating their bones and joints.
Yet Florida does get cold temps, and they can bring in snow and ice. The record low in Tallahassee was -2F in 1899, but Florida winters have been below freezing many times:
Tallahassee
- 18F in January 1997
- 13F in December 1989
- 6F in January 1985
Fort Myers
- 27F in December 1989
- 30F in January 1985
- 29F in January 1982
Northern parts of Texas may get a few days of snow and ice each year, but the Lone Star State does get a wintry blast even down to the southern tip.
The semi-tropical city of Brownsville rarely sees temps below 50F, but it gets some occasional cold spells:
- 16F on Christmas Eve in 1989
- 20F in December 1983
- 20F in January 1962
The upside is that the winter blasts in the south don't last very long. In a day or two, you'll be rolling as if it never happened.
Don't Give In to the Holiday Blues
The holidays can be a lonely time for a lot of people. This time of year gives us expectations of mirth and joy. If you're human, you're not going to feel that way all the time. That said, you'll want to keep yourself from sliding into a holiday funk.
Get Some Sunlight
In a lot of places, winters are gloomy. A cloud cover hangs overhead, not giving much sunlight. The body's natural vitamin D production is hindered and makes it hard to feel the holiday cheer.
If you feel a dim mood setting in, check the weather forecasts and see if you can plan your next load to someplace with lots of sunshine.
Go Easy on the Holiday Treats
The holidays also tempt us with lots of sweet snacks and drinks. There are all kinds of chocolate-covered cherries, pies, ice cream treats, pumpkin spice lattes. They can give a truck driver a quick sugar high which leads to a crash later. A sugar crash can leave you in a woeful mood.
That's not to say you can't enjoy holiday treats at all. Why should sugar plums dance in your head and never get to your mouth? Just avoid overindulgence so you have energy for the long haul.
Get Some Exercise
The long hours sitting in the driver's seat can dampen a driver's mood as well. If you're like most truck drivers, you may not be getting enough exercise. A light workout releases endorphins in the body. They're the feel-good hormones that can brighten up your mood.
Try taking some time at the end of your workday to take a brisk walk. A couple of laps around the truck stop parking lot should be enough to get the blood pumping.
Why not take a bicycle on the road with you? It's easy to use a bike chain and lock to hang it up on the catwalk. You might find truck parking near a park or a place with bike trails. It could also save you the money for an Uber ride to Walmart when it's time to resupply.
Managing Holiday Stress
The final months of the year come with all kinds of pressures — sending out cards to friends and family, buying gifts, going from store to store trying to find that durned sold-out toy...
At the same time, there's a surplus of freight. Shippers can't book enough trucks to meet the demand. After the initial rush of people returning home or traveling, traffic tends to thin out and can mean more money in your pocket.
Taking Holiday Time Off
There will no doubt be all kinds of parties, events, get-togethers, hootenannies to attend. Trying to attend them all just adds to the pressure. Pick a few that are the most special and make them a superb holiday experience for you and your family.
Happy Haul a Days
On the other hand, you might put off celebration until after the holidays and spend that time on the road. The increased demand could mean you can get premium rates.
When you do get home, make the celebration special for you and your family. They'll be glad they delayed gratification and waited to celebrate when you get home.
After all, the date on the calendar is just a number. You can celebrate the holidays with your family at a later time and make it just as special. It could mean a better holiday feast, better gifts, better quality family time.
I'll Be (Virtually) Home for Christmas
But what about both? Can you go on the road for the holidays and still celebrate with your family?
The recent COVID 19 pandemic spurred a paradigm shift in communication. Video chats have become more common and familiar to more people. Make use of the technology to "be home" for opening presents.
Celebrating Over the Road
You may not be home for the official holiday, but it doesn't mean you have to spend it alone. Meet up with fellow truckers, or stop at a truckstop and share a holiday meal. Find a place to volunteer and connect with those away from home who might also want some company.
Holiday Freight Rates
The increased volume of freight for the Christmas shopping season could mean the opportunity to get premium freight rates. That's what motivates a lot of owner-ops to run through the holidays.
If you own a small fleet, getting premium rates means you could offer a pay bonus for your drives and still make decent profits.
Conclusion
The holidays are meant to be a happy time. There's opportunity for high-paying loads as the stores are scrambling to meet the holiday shopping demands. That puts a lot of pressure on drivers.
Whether you decide to be on the road or take some extra time at home, we at TrueNorth will be wishing you a happy holiday season.
You might also be interested in these blog posts:
How To Get the Best Freight Rates
An O/O's Story of Building His Fleet and Battling Depression