
Christmas for Truckers
Trucking is a demanding job that requires round the clock commitment. It is often several months before truck drivers can meet their friends and family, which also means that most truckers spend their time on the road during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other major holidays.
However, there is no need to worry if you are a truck driver out on the field during the holiday season. There are still ways to enjoy the Christmas spirit.
Christmas on the Road
You are not alone during the holidays, especially with all the other truckers who share the same grief. There are always a few feasts going on at truck stops, where you can either eat for free or get massive discounts.
You may also enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner with your family and friends before or after Christmas Day. It is not necessary to match the exact dates since it is the thought that counts.
So, this Thanksgiving, we’d like to give thanks to our hard working truckers out there. Because of you, we enjoy delicious Thanksgiving meals and have goodies to look forward to every Black Friday. If we bought it, truckers brought it.
Trucker Gift Suggestions
Here are some gift suggestions you may give to fellow truckers.



Final Thoughts
This Christmas, if you can’t be with family, there are a lot of ways to still enjoy the holiday mood. You can make this Christmas memorable by giving others some gifts, planning a delightful Christmas dinner with your best trucking buddies, or volunteering together at a truck stop to make the rookie drivers feel at home. Christmas is a time to be grateful for all the blessings you have received all year. Counting your blessings and thinking about all the good things that happened to you in the past year can help promote positivity and good vibes.
Lastly, all of us from Trucker Path, would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas!
How will you spend your Christmas? Share your plans in the comments section below.
By Aldous Aldwin




Trucker Spotlight - Matthew Eso <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em>
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Matthew_Eso1.jpg" alt=""]
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Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Matthew Eso</strong>, who's also known as The Little Guy on Youtube. He's been driving trucks since 2012 and shares the same love for trucking with his father and grandfather. Let's get to know more about Matthew and his trucking life.
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<h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3>
It's something I always wanted to do because it runs in my family.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Matthew_Eso2.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>What attributes must one have in order to be a successful truck driver?</strong></h3>
In order to be successful in this trucking game you have to know what you want first. Then chase it.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Matthew_Eso3.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>What's the most memorable experience you've had while over the road?</strong></h3>
Most memorable time on the road has to be when I took my son with me. Just watching his face light up from all the things he was seeing.
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<h3><strong>What's your favorite Truck Brand / Model?</strong></h3>
Big fan of old school long hood trucks.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Matthew_Eso4.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>Aside from being a trucker, any other things you dream of doing? </strong></h3>
Always wanted to operate heavy machinery.
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<h3><strong>What's the best truck stop for you? </strong></h3>
My favorite one is the Joplin 44 Petro with the chrome shop. Place is a truckers toy store.
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<h3><strong>What was the worst breakdown or setback you've experienced while OTR?</strong></h3>
Starting a Lease Purchase and the truck being a lemon off the lot.
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<h3><strong>We're glad that you use the Trucker Path on your day to day trucking. What features do you enjoy the most?</strong></h3>
Having all of the points of interest a trucker uses in the <a href="https://sixdays.page.link/tLUu">Trucker Path</a> application is by far the best feature next to the turn by turn navigation.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Matthew_Eso5.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?</strong></h3>
Tips for others are be safe, stay hungry, and don't let anyone say you can’t do it.
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<h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3>
They can view my videos on my Youtube Channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLittleGuyTrucker/featured">The Little Guy Show</a>.
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cl6yXAQxDRw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Hope you guys enjoy!
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<h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4>
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Trucker Spotlight - BDSmith <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em>
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/ts-bdsmith-blog-5.jpg" alt=""]
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Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>BDSmith</strong>, who's been driving for around 2 years now. He's a Youtuber / Artist who enjoys driving with his dogs. Let's get to know the interesting story about how he got into trucking.
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<h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3>
It kind of was a random choice. I had just gotten back from South Korea where I did 2 years military service and 5 years just living there. I worked as a programmer for a tech company in Gangnam and was able to do the job online when I got back to the states but didn’t like trying to have meetings with the difference in hours. I always loved to drive ever since I was a kid so I figured, “Hey, why not?”.
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<h3><strong>In the years that you have been driving, what are the significant changes that you've
noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3>
As I’ve only been in for roughly 2.5 years I haven’t noticed too much change other than it seems like there’s less people on the CB than when I started.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/ts-bdsmith-blog-1.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>What made you decide to put up your Youtube channel?</strong></h3>
So the channel started back in 2015 as a gaming channel. Mainly something to do with my two boys after work. Now that I’m driving a truck and don’t have time for games, I turned it fully into a trucking vlog late 2018. I try to do stupid things to make people laugh etc. I never take myself too seriously unless it’s job related.
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<h3><strong>Any times when you get lonely while driving? How do you deal with it?</strong></h3>
I don’t really ever get lonely. I’ve had a dog since my 2nd month of driving and now have two. They help a lot. Always doing stupid things which make me laugh. I video call my boys who still live in Korea with their mom. That’s the only hard part, being away from them.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/ts-bdsmith-blog-2.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>As a trucker, what are the current struggles in this COVID19 pandemic?</strong></h3>
Remembering that people would prefer it if I wear a mask. I haven’t seen anything truck related - my rates went down a small bit for about a week in late March but it didn’t last.
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<h3><strong>What are your usual routes? Favorite scenic truck route?</strong></h3>
I like to go anywhere. I love going into Texas because the people always treat me well and I have a lot of fans there so I do occasional meet ups.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/ts-bdsmith-blog-3.jpg" alt=""]
<h3><strong>What was your weirdest or most unusual haul?</strong></h3>
Not sure I’ve had anything too bad. I picked up a recycled paper load once coming out of Arizona going to Cali. The place smelled so bad I almost threw up, other than that nothing too unusual.
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<h3><strong>How often do you use rest stops / truck stops? What are the things that you look for in a truck stop? Favorite truck stop meal?</strong></h3>
For the longest time I only went to P/FJ because their spicy chicken is absolutely amazing. When it comes to sleeping I really try to stay away from the big truck stops. I prefer the mom and pop places. Seems the more experienced people go there so I don’t have to worry as much about my truck being hit.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/ts-bdsmith-blog-4.jpg" alt=""]
<h3><strong>What are the common troubles or problems you encounter while trucking?</strong></h3>
The biggest problem is four wheelers not paying attention. It really shocked me when I started driving just how many terrible drivers are out there.
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<h3><strong>What are your pet peeves while driving/trucking?</strong></h3>
People that don’t move over for disabled vehicles on the shoulders and people that speed up when you go to pass them after driving slow for the last 20 miles.
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<h3><strong>We're glad that you use the Trucker Path app on your day to day trucking. What features do you enjoy the most?</strong></h3>
Hands down it’s the truck stop finder. There’s so many on <a href="http://www.truckerpath.com">Trucker Path</a> that aren’t on my Garmin. And that 1) has saved me a few times with HOS and 2) I’ve found some great small restaurants that way.
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<h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?</strong></h3>
Keep in mind it’s not a job. It’s not a career. It’s a lifestyle. Some make big money. Some never do. Just because you see a big number doesn’t mean it’s a big number. Always remember a lot of it will go into taxes and upkeep of the truck. Remember you will be away from home for long periods. Can you handle that? And above all, be respectful to those whom came before you in this industry.
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<h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3>
They can view my videos on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBCDA74N9mp7WXMDUQSHCjg">Youtube Channel, BDSmith Trucking</a>.
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vGZAUdtyjow" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Hope you guys enjoy!
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<h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4>
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