Being a truck driver comes with a lot of stress throughout the year, but without a doubt, the holiday season can take it to a whole other level. Drivers can be stressed from high volumes of traffic, deadlines and lousy weather.
Most people take some time off to get away from the stress of their work, but unfortunately truck drivers don’t get to take a lot of time for themselves.
Taking some time off is essential to recovering from the stress of the job, so to help you stay relaxed during this holiday season we have a few ideas. Even if you’re working throughout the holiday season with no break in sight, we have some great places to stop and check out for a break.
Breaks on the Road
Have to work through the holidays? Check out these interesting stops that may be on your route.
- Johnson’s Corner
2842 SE Frontage Road, Johnstown, Colorado
A quaint place off of I-25 in Colorado, Johnson’s Corner is a great place to stop for a sweet treat (get a dozen cinnamon rolls for the road). It’s also famous for never closing — rain or shine.
- Dysart’s Truck Stop and Restaurant
530 Coldbrook Road, Bangor, Maine
A popular stop for those traveling between Canada and the U.S. You can stop off here to get some of the best lobster rolls or bumbleberry pie. Fun fact, this stop is in Stephen King’s hometown, so if you’re a fan of his work, this could be a neat place to explore.
- Whisky Pete’s
115 West Primm Boulevard Primm, NV 89019
This place has it all: a casino, rollercoaster, hotel, and even the wrecked car of Bonnie and Clyde. Give yourself some time to take a stroll around Whisky Pete’s and stretch your legs out before getting back on the road.
- North Forty Truck Stop
15060 Hwy 641 S, Holladay, TN 38341
With all the normal amenities — great food, overnight parking and showers — you have everything you need at North Forty. We recommend stopping by the barber and getting a fresh cut or massage as an extra treat.
Do you actually get some time off the road this holiday season? You don’t have to spend a pretty penny to relax. In fact, here are some clever ways to enjoy your free time and give yourself the vacation you deserve!
Staycation Ideas for Your Holiday
- Rent an Airbnb: If you can’t take a big road trip or buy plane tickets, look at sites like Airbnb or HomeAway to find a cabin, house, a yurt, or even a houseboat in a nearby town or city to get away without making all the effort of a big trip.
- Food Tour: Maybe you just want some time at home after being on the road so much. Treat yourself by picking out a few new restaurants you’ve wanted to try.
- Day Trip: Staycations don’t mean you can’t travel at all. Do you have friends or relatives nearby that you’d like to visit? Or maybe an outlet mall or wellness center in a neighboring city. See what’s around you and make a day out of it.
- Hometown Celebrations: Does your hometown have an annual holiday event or maybe a neighbor’s holiday party is coming up? Both are great opportunities to reconnect with loved ones while not being far from home and still getting time to rest.
- Movie Marathon: You don’t even need to leave the house for this one; put on some of your favorite movies on Netflix or pull out some DVDs and get the whole family together with some snacks for a movie marathon.
However you choose to spend your free time this holiday season we hope that you stay safe and can relax a little! Find other resources exclusively for truckers over at our blog or sign up for the world’s largest FREE load board here!