One Day, my husband and I had a spontaneous idea. We had thought of ideas on what we could do to make the most money in the shortest amount of time. Truck driving crossed our mind. It sounded like we would really get ahead somehow. We spoke to many people and decided to figure it out for ourselves. Here are a few things I wish I knew before deciding to travel as a long-haul trucker’s wife.

Boring 

Before we took off on our own, I needed to find something for myself. I knew I would have so much more free time, but what would I do that might make me a little money too? I found a few hobbies, but once I got in the truck, I wasn’t very consistent with them. Most of my time I was helping my husband navigate, or I was just so tired from our all but normal sleep routine. A lot of appointments are at odd hours, so sometimes we only got to nap throughout our day. Eventually, I remembered where we were and the views were not so exciting anymore. So unfortunately, driving for almost 11 hours is boring.

No Bathroom

This issue I did not give enough thought at all. I did buy a handy funnel that would help me do my business in case we didn’t have facilities. Depending on the route you take, a bathroom isn’t an option sometimes. I did not realize how much I appreciated a toilet in the mornings. Maybe too much information, but think about what you would do without a toilet or a shower. We would have to go without a shower for days at a time all too often.

Isolation 

I am the type of person that enjoys going places when I travel. Driving a semi truck doesn’t give you any of that freedom. The truck is too big to fit anywhere besides a truck stop or the side of the road. It would surprise you to know that the side of the road is actually where you will end up most days. It is such a shame to see all the no parking and no truck signs everywhere you go. I wish places had more respect and made their towns more friendly for truck drivers. I found this to be the most challenging for me.

Health risks 

Going from a factory job to a seat warmer was actually a dramatic change for me. At first I really enjoyed the relief of sitting and not being worked to death. After a few weeks of sitting, my feet would swell. It felt like no matter what we were eating; it was hard to stay healthy because we NEVER moved. I tried to plan meals that were healthier. The small refrigerator couldn’t hold many groceries, so we had to eat at truck stops where healthy options weren’t always available.

I enjoyed my time on the truck for many reasons. However, if you have a choice to stay or go, I suggest you think about the things I mentioned above. Being a truck driver’s wife is never easy, but just like anything, it has its pros and cons. I wish you well on your adventures. Maybe you can live in this type of lifestyle. Safe travels and God Bless!