Most people think Thanksgiving is about three things. Family, food, and football.
If you drive a truck for a living, or run a small fleet, your list looks a little different. You might still want the turkey and the nap on the couch, but in the back of your mind you are thinking about loads, weather, traffic, and whether that little rattle is nothing or something.
So this year, here is a Thanksgiving list just for truckers. A little funny, a little real, and a whole lot grateful.
1. Hot Coffee That Is Actually Hot
Let us start with the basics.
You are thankful for coffee that is:
- Fresh, not six hours old
- Hot, not “room temperature with regrets”
- Strong enough to keep you awake, but not so strong it peels paint
The first sip before the sun comes up, when the world is quiet and the road is yours, is its own kind of holiday moment.
2. The Load That Goes Smoothly
No drama. No chaos. No surprise “the dock is full, come back in three hours.”
You know the kind of load:
- Pickup is on time
- People are actually ready for you
- Directions are clear
- Delivery is quick and easy
You get in, you get out, nobody yells, and nothing breaks. You almost want to frame the rate confirmation.
3. The Truck That Starts On The First Try
It is cold. You are tired. You turn the key and hold your breath.
When the engine starts right up, no weird noises, no warning lights, just that steady rumble, it feels like winning a small lottery.
You might not say it out loud, but in your head you are thinking, “Thank you, old friend, keep doing that.”
4. The Shop That Treats You Like A Person, Not A Problem
Every driver has a shop they trust more than the rest.
You are thankful for the places that:
- Talk to you like a human being
- Explain what is wrong without a wall of jargon
- Do not try to sell you three extra things you do not need
- Understand that every hour your truck sits, you are not making money
You might not love paying the bill, but you are grateful when you know they did right by you.
5. The People Who Check In
Sometimes the best part of the day is a simple text.
“Where are you now” “Need anything” “FaceTime when you park”
Spouses, kids, parents, friends, the person who always sends you memes at 2 a.m. They might not understand every detail of your job, but they care that you are out there.
Those little check ins matter more than they know.
6. The Miles That Get You Home
Not every driver gets home for Thanksgiving. Some are eating at a truck stop, some are parked at a rest area, some are running one more load so they can make it home for the weekend instead.
But every safe mile brings you closer to:
- A front door that sticks a little when you open it
- A couch that knows your shape
- A plate that keeps getting refilled
- A kid who wants to show you something, right now, before you even take your boots off
You are thankful for the miles that take you out, and even more thankful for the ones that bring you back.
7. Other Drivers Who “Get It”
There is a special kind of understanding between people who live on the road.
You are thankful for:
- The driver who lets you merge when traffic is a mess
- The one who flashes you over when you pass
- The wave from across the parking lot
- The quick “you good” look when something does not sound right
You might not know their name, but you know the life. And that quiet respect goes a long way.
A Thanksgiving Thank You To Truckers
So yes, Thanksgiving is about turkey, stuffing, and that one relative who always brings a strange casserole.
But it is also about the people who keep everything moving so the rest of us can sit down at a table that is full.
To the drivers who are out on the road this week, and the ones who just made it home in time. To the small fleets juggling schedules, breakdowns, and bills. To the families who set an extra plate for the driver who might roll in late.
Thank you.
Thank you for the miles, the early mornings, the late nights, the missed holidays, and the quiet pride you take in doing a hard job that most people never really see.
Wherever you are this Thanksgiving, at a truck stop counter, a diner, or a crowded kitchen table, we are wishing you:
- Safe roads
- Good food
- A few real laughs
- And at least one solid nap
Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for keeping the country rolling, one mile at a time.
