What to Expect as anExpedite Driver
Your complete guide to life on the road. From daily routines to essential skills, we'll help you understand what it's really like to be an expedite driver.
Sleeping
Maximize rest in a moving lifestyle
The Essentials:
- Your truck has a sleeper berth—invest in a quality mattress topper
- Use the blackout curtains in your truck along white noise machine for better rest
- Team drivers should coordinate sleep and driving schedules
- Park at quiet rest areas or truck stops away from high traffic
Pro Tips:
- Sleep with earplugs or noise-canceling headphones
- Maintain a consistent sleep routine—even on the road
- Use window insulation for temperature and noise control
Showering
Stay fresh using truck stop and gym facilities
The Essentials:
- Most truck stops offer paid showers (often free with fuel)
- Gym memberships like Planet Fitness provide more options
- Keep hygiene supplies organized and ready to grab
- Wipes and dry shampoo work when showers aren’t available
Pro Tips:
- Join rewards programs to earn free showers
- Always wear flip flops in public showers
- Shower during off-peak hours to avoid lines
Cooking
Cook real meals on the road with your onboard kitchen
The Essentials:
- Every truck comes equipped with an induction cooktop and fridge
- Use the cooktop to make hot meals like pasta, stir-fry, or breakfast skillets
- Grocery shop regularly—fresh ingredients beat truck stop food every time
- Keep your fridge organized and rotate perishables to avoid waste
Pro Tips:
- Batch prep ingredients during downtime (chop veggies, pre-cook rice/pasta)
- Use an Instant Pot or slow cooker while parked to make stews, chili, or roasts
- Keep a dedicated cooking kit with oil, spices, utensils, and easy-clean cookware
Laundry
Keep clothes clean on long hauls
The Essentials:
- Most truck stops have coin-op laundry facilities
- Laundromats are common near rest areas and truck stops
- Carry detergent pods, dryer sheets, and a collapsible basket
- Use downtime on resets or long breaks to catch up on laundry
Pro Tips:
- Bring a dedicated dirty clothes bin or bag
- Keep quarters handy—machines may not take cards
- Don’t overpack clothes—wash frequently instead
Storage & Organization
Stay neat in a small space
The Essentials:
- Use stackable bins, shelves, and velcro strips
- Create zones in your truck (sleep, work, cook, hygiene)
- Declutter weekly—space is premium real estate
- Secure items to avoid shifting while driving
Pro Tips:
- Label storage bins by category
- Use tension rods and hanging organizers
- Purge unused items monthly
Health & Hygiene
Take care of yourself on the road
The Essentials:
- Carry a basic first aid kit and personal medications
- Keep sanitizers, wipes, and tissues within reach
- Stretch, walk, or do simple workouts at stops
- Don’t neglect dental hygiene—keep floss and a brush handy
Pro Tips:
- Use a standing desk or stretch band in the cab
- Hydrate regularly and avoid excess caffeine
- Track sleep and water intake with mobile apps
Safety & Security
Protect yourself, your truck, and your gear
The Essentials:
- Always lock your doors and park in well-lit areas
- Keep a flashlight, dash cam, and emergency gear handy
- Have a plan for emergencies (medical, weather, theft)
- Check surroundings before exiting your vehicle
Pro Tips:
- Use a steering wheel lock or kill switch for added security
- Hide valuables when parked or sleeping
- Carry a paper list of emergency contacts and insurance info
Communication & Tech
Stay connected and informed on the road
The Essentials:
- Use truck-specific GPS apps like Trucker Path or Hammer
- Invest in a Wi-Fi hotspot or signal booster
- Keep all necessary chargers and adapters accessible
- Use apps for scanning documents, messaging dispatch, and tracking loads
Pro Tips:
- Keep backup power banks ready
- Download offline maps as a fail-safe
- Update apps and firmware during downtime
Money Management
Track expenses and stay financially fit
The Essentials:
- Track fuel, tolls, food, and maintenance expenses
- Use mobile apps to manage settlements and receipts
- Avoid unnecessary cash advances or card fees
- Keep a financial cushion for repairs or downtime
Pro Tips:
- Set a weekly budget and stick to it
- Review settlements carefully for deductions
- Save all receipts—scan and back them up
Entertainment & Mental Health
Keep your mind healthy and occupied
The Essentials:
- Listen to audiobooks, podcasts, or music playlists
- Stay connected with friends and family through calls
- Bring hobbies you can do in the truck (reading, journaling, games)
- Schedule solo time and breaks to reset mentally
Pro Tips:
- Download media in advance in case of weak signal
- Try meditation or breathing apps to manage stress
- Rotate podcasts and genres to keep things interesting
A Day in the Life
What a typical day looks like for an expedite driver
Wake up (sort of human)
After 10 hours in the sleeper berth, you roll out of bed like a gremlin. Your co-driver’s finishing their shift. Coffee first, questions later.
Pre-trip & gear check
You stretch your back, kick your tires (gently), and pretend you know where your gloves are. The box is empty. Let’s go get loaded.
Drive to shipper
It’s only 30 miles away—but the GPS says 52 minutes. You hit every red light and, naturally, there's a school zone.
Arrive at shipper
Check in with the shipping clerk, who says, 'They’re just finishing up the paperwork.' Translation: go sit in your truck for an hour.
Loaded & rolling
You’re finally loaded and finished your departure call. Now it's 200-miles non-stop. You silence your bladder and cue up your favorite podcast. Your co-driver crashes in the bunk.
Secure stop & break
You reach the 200-mile mark. Hit the truck stop. Fuel, stretch, microwave a questionable burrito, and log your 30-minute HOS break.
Back on the road
You’ve still got 6+ hours of drive time. Traffic clears and you're cruising. Life’s good—for now.
'Minor' detour
GPS reroutes you to avoid a wreck. It adds 40 minutes and includes a road that *might* be meant for goats. But hey, you’re moving.
End of your driving shift
You hit your 11-hour drive time limit. Your co-driver is awake, mostly. You swap seats and log off-duty. Time for food and recovery.
Dinner & drama
Just as your burrito hits the plate, dispatch calls. Your next load? Canceled. Classic. But good news: truck-ordered-not-used pay is coming. You sigh and keep chewing.
Rewind & reset
You shower, call your kid, and toss yesterday’s socks in the laundry bin. Co-driver is driving now, and you're riding shotgun in dreamland.
Sleeper berth
Truck hums along while you’re in the sleeper. Ten hours off-duty, dreaming of a shipper that’s actually ready when you arrive. Tomorrow, you do it again.
Wake up (sort of human)
After 10 hours in the sleeper berth, you roll out of bed like a gremlin. Your co-driver’s finishing their shift. Coffee first, questions later.
Pre-trip & gear check
You stretch your back, kick your tires (gently), and pretend you know where your gloves are. The box is empty. Let’s go get loaded.
Sleeper berth
Truck hums along while you’re in the sleeper. Ten hours off-duty, dreaming of a shipper that’s actually ready when you arrive. Tomorrow, you do it again.
Wake up (sort of human)
After 10 hours in the sleeper berth, you roll out of bed like a gremlin. Your co-driver’s finishing their shift. Coffee first, questions later.
Pre-trip & gear check
You stretch your back, kick your tires (gently), and pretend you know where your gloves are. The box is empty. Let’s go get loaded.
Drive to shipper
It’s only 30 miles away—but the GPS says 52 minutes. You hit every red light and, naturally, there's a school zone.
Arrive at shipper
Check in with the shipping clerk, who says, 'They’re just finishing up the paperwork.' Translation: go sit in your truck for an hour.
Loaded & rolling
You’re finally loaded and finished your departure call. Now it's 200-miles non-stop. You silence your bladder and cue up your favorite podcast. Your co-driver crashes in the bunk.
Secure stop & break
You reach the 200-mile mark. Hit the truck stop. Fuel, stretch, microwave a questionable burrito, and log your 30-minute HOS break.
Back on the road
You’ve still got 6+ hours of drive time. Traffic clears and you're cruising. Life’s good—for now.
'Minor' detour
GPS reroutes you to avoid a wreck. It adds 40 minutes and includes a road that *might* be meant for goats. But hey, you’re moving.
End of your driving shift
You hit your 11-hour drive time limit. Your co-driver is awake, mostly. You swap seats and log off-duty. Time for food and recovery.
Dinner & drama
Just as your burrito hits the plate, dispatch calls. Your next load? Canceled. Classic. But good news: truck-ordered-not-used pay is coming. You sigh and keep chewing.
Rewind & reset
You shower, call your kid, and toss yesterday’s socks in the laundry bin. Co-driver is driving now, and you're riding shotgun in dreamland.
Sleeper berth
Truck hums along while you’re in the sleeper. Ten hours off-duty, dreaming of a shipper that’s actually ready when you arrive. Tomorrow, you do it again.
Essential Skills for Success
The key abilities that will help you thrive as an expedite driver
Problem Solving
Stay calm, think fast, and find a way forward when things go sideways—which they will.
Adaptability
Things change fast—routes, weather, freight, delivery times. The best drivers roll with it.
Positive Attitude
You can't control everything, but you can control your mindset. A good attitude keeps the wheels turning.
Emotional Control
Stay level-headed with dispatch, customers, and especially your co-driver. No one wins in a cab fight.
Communication
Clear, calm communication with dispatch, customers, and your co-driver (especially when you're both tired) keeps everything on track.
Time Management
Running on time means knowing your HOS, planning your breaks, and hitting your appointments clean.
Customer Service Mindset
You’re the face of the freight. Every pickup and drop is a chance to build trust and get rebooked.
Navigation & GPS
Truck routes, height clearances, rest stops, fuel—know your tools and stay a step ahead.
Organization
From BOLs to snacks to socks, keeping things in order makes life smoother on the road.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Now that you know what to expect, are you ready to become an expedite driver? Join High Roller Expediting and start your new career on the road.