A nationwide survey of nearly 1,700 long-haul truck drivers revealed a sobering truth: many professional drivers face significantly higher risks for chronic illness, including high blood pressure, obesity, smoking-related diseases, high cholesterol, and ongoing sleep deprivation.
The job itself contributes heavily to these challenges long hours, limited opportunities for exercise, inconsistent sleep schedules, and poor access to nutritious food. Add in high caffeine intake and the pressure to stay alert, and it’s easy to see how health can slowly decline over years on the road.
Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is one of the most dangerous health issues in trucking. The average life expectancy for long-haul drivers is just 61 years, compared to 78 years for the general U.S. population. One major reason: most drivers get half of the recommended 7–8 hours of sleep per night.
Lack of sleep affects more than the driver, it impacts public safety. Sleepiness has been linked to major accidents, industrial incidents, and even catastrophic transportation failures. Fatigue slows reaction time, reduces awareness, and can impair judgment just as severely as alcohol.
Why It Happens
Medications, alcohol, and heavy caffeine use disrupt normal sleep cycles. Caffeine gives short-term alertness but quickly loses effectiveness and often prevents sleep when drivers finally stop.
Off-route parking delays the next day’s schedule, adding more stress and pressure.Obesity
More than 90% of drivers are overweight, and truckers are twice as likely to be obese as workers in other industries. Long hours of sitting, limited access to healthy meals, and irregular schedules create the perfect environment for weight gain and metabolic issues. Only 8% of truck drivers get regular exercise, compared to 49% of the general population.
Contributing Factors
Long shifts leave little time for structured meals.
Drivers rely on high-calorie snacks and fast food to stay satisfied on the road.
Large “comfort meals” eaten right before sleep slow metabolism and encourage weight gain.
Hours of sedentary driving drastically reduce daily physical activity.
These habits increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and other chronic illnesses that shorten lifespan.
Lack of Accessible Health Care
Most drivers struggle to make or keep medical appointments due to their unpredictable schedules and time on the road. As a result, health issues often go untreated until they become severe.
At Roeder Cartage Co., we recognize the challenges drivers face, and we’ve built our operations to support a healthier, more balanced driving lifestyle. RCC drivers benefit from:
Excellent Home Time
Regular home time that helps drivers stay connected with family, maintain routines, and reduce burnout.
Steady Miles
Consistent freight that keeps paychecks stable and eliminates the stress of unpredictable scheduling.
99% One-Way Loads
Very few backhauls mean less waiting, less downtime, fewer delays finding safe parking, and more control over rest and recovery.
By prioritizing balance, stability, and driver well-being, Roeder Cartage is committed to helping drivers build long, healthy, and rewarding careers on the road.