Jun 05, 2024

Highest-Rated Major US Trucking Corridors

Highest-Rated Major US Trucking Corridors

We ranked the major US trucking corridors of 2023 based on parking availability, truck stop ratings, and fuel prices. Below is what we found.

The Dangers of Ignoring Tax Filing Obligations for Truckers <p>For self-employed truckers, many things are top of mind for them, such as being away from home, staying healthy on the road, and keeping up with the demanding aspects of the job. With all this, it’s easy for these truck drivers to overlook the less glamorous aspect of tax filing. </p> <p>However, especially for independent truckers, neglecting your tax obligations can lead to many financial and legal troubles that could derail your successful careers on the road. </p> <p>Let’s look at some of the potential consequences of failing to file tax returns on time or at all for truck drivers, as well as how you can rectify your tax mistakes and become compliant. </p> <p><strong>Consequences of Not Paying Taxes</strong> </p> <p>Failure to file tax returns on time, or worse, not filing at all, can have severe repercussions for truck drivers. The IRS imposes some serious penalties and interest charges for late or non-filing of tax returns. These penalties can quickly accumulate, compounding the financial burden on these truckers who are already grappling with the unique demands of the industry. </p> <p>One of the immediate consequences of non-compliance is the accumulation of penalties and interest. The IRS charges a late filing penalty, which <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/failure-to-file-penalty" target="_blank">amounts to 5%</a> of the unpaid taxes of each month that a tax return is late. For truck drivers, who often operate on thin profit margins, these additional financial burdens can be crippling to their or their family’s livelihoods. </p> <p>On another note, failing to file your taxes also means that truckers miss out on potential refunds. Truckers can get tax deductions for their businesses, including truck payments, fuel, accounting fees, maintenance fees, insurance, and other business expenses. By not filing your taxes, you could be losing money! </p> <p>Furthermore, failure to file tax returns for a long time, such as three years, can lead to more serious consequences. This could be wage or bank account levies, federal tax liens, property liens, potential tax evasion charges, passport revocation, or even seizure of tax refunds. </p> <p>Aside from the financial consequences, non-compliance with tax filing obligations can damage a truck driver's reputation and business relationships. Clients, other truckers, and business partners may view non-compliance with tax laws as a sign of irresponsibility or untrustworthiness, potentially leading to loss of contracts or employment opportunities. </p> <p><strong>What To Do To Be Compliant?</strong> </p> <p>So, what should truck drivers do if they find themselves in a situation where they haven't filed taxes in the past or are struggling to meet their tax obligations? </p> <p>The first step is to start proactive measures to address it. It can be difficult for truck drivers to dive headfirst into possible years of tax forms and receipts; this is where seeking the help of a professional can be beneficial. </p> <p>A qualified tax professional or accountant who understands the trucking industry will also understand the unique challenges faced by truck drivers. They can provide guidance on how to gather necessary documentation, handle the various tax laws, and help truckers develop a strategy to become compliant with filing requirements. </p> <p>It is also important for truck drivers to, going forward, be proactive in addressing their tax filing obligations and to prioritize compliance in future tax payments. This can look like having better record-keeping practices to track income and expenses throughout the year, setting aside funds for tax payments, and staying informed about changes to tax laws. </p> <p><strong>Get Help With Your Taxes</strong> </p> <p>At the end of the day, ignoring tax filing obligations can have serious consequences for truck drivers, both financially and legally. However, it’s not too late for truckers to start getting compliance and filing their taxes today. </p> <p>Trucker Path has partnered with ATBS to give Trucker Path users special discounts on tax and accounting services from professionals who specialize in helping truck drivers. </p> <p>Looking to get your taxes done right? Reach out to <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path" target="_blank">get help from ATBS today!</a> </p>

Mar 13, 2024

Podcasts Feed the Need for Learning, Laughter and Inspiration on the Road <p>Truck drivers can spend as much as 11 hours a day or 3,120 hours a year driving—and listening. It’s important to steer the media feed that can essentially be your entire world while you’re behind the wheel. </p> <p>Two truisms couldn’t be truer when it comes to audio feeds: you are what you consume and you are the company you keep. </p> <p>Today’s audio options for truckers abound. All the media makes sure of that. There’s satellite radio, audiobooks, streaming music and even CB. </p> <p>While most drivers stream music (62%) and significantly less listen to audiobooks (14%),podcasts (42%) represent a sweet spot for drivers for their bite-sized length, on-demand availability and abundant options. The variety of trucker-podcasts make it possible to feed every facet of a driver’s life from world events and industry regulations to the business of trucking and road humor that can lighten the load. </p> <p>See what we mean with these feed-enhancing podcasts selected to bring a smile to every facet of the driving life. Use it to help you achieve a recommended daily allowance of ideas and entertainment, keep things interesting, and maybe even shake things up. </p> <p><strong>Start with Dessert: Chill Out With a Funny Feed</strong> </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.18wheeltalk.com/podcasts" target="_blank">18 Wheel Talk Podcast Show</a> features Janet and Patrick. The duo is sharp witted, well-informed and prone to pulling interesting stories from the far reaches of the road. The show is billed as “For Truckers, about Truckers, by Truckers” and the insights and experiences they banter on live up to it. (Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or iHeartRADIO) </p> <p><strong>Ahead of the Curve: Talk Like a Techie by Listening to Them</strong> </p> <p>The <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5SsA0LLoWsmyRXOidiHMkR" target="_blank">Trucking Technology & Efficiency</a> podcast is hosted by Kevin Rutherford, Joel Morrow, and John Walco. Their content gets its street cred straight from the road. Truckers call in to geek out about the exciting new tech as well as the everyday tools of the trucking trade. These guys make it easy to stay plugged in. (Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud) </p> <p><strong>Truckers’ Guilty Pleasure: The Perfect True Crime Binge</strong> </p> <p>In the Trucking True Crime Podcast, hosts Angela Baum and her husband Larry host have created a mashup of two things drivers love: trucking and true crime stories. A survey by now defunct Matheson Inc. found true crime stories to be the most popular podcast genre among truckers. True crime roadies will love this one. (Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, FeedSpot or Podbean) </p> <p><strong>Money Talks: Listen to Best Practices for Owner-Operators</strong> </p> <p>For a peek into best practices of starting a trucking company, The <a href="https://haulinassetsllc.com/" target="_blank">Haulin’ Assets</a> podcast throws the doors—and books—wide open. The podcast follows the progress of Chris Vernon and his one-man trucking company through all the highs and lows. Transparency into Chris’s financials, practical tips for finding loads and a breakdown of Chris’s cost per mile are just a few topics that make this podcast money. (Listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or Google Podcasts) </p> <p><strong>You Time: Drive Healthier Habits on the Road</strong> </p> <p>Host Captain Jack, a former truck driver on a mission, runs the <a href="https://www.healthytruck.org/sibh-podcast/" target="_blank">Shift into Better Health</a> podcast series. Topics are trucker-specific and toggle among nutrition and exercise on the road to stress strategies, and mood adjustments just for drivers. Captain Jack brings the trucker’s perspective, and the medical professionals he invites on the show bring the health insights and expertise. </p> <p><strong>World News: When Your World Is Trucking</strong> </p> <p>There’s so much going on in the trucking that it is a world unto itself. Every trucker’s feed should include industry news that delivers the big picture. The <a href="https://talkcdl.com/" target="_blank">TalkCDL Trucking Podcast</a> goes deep and wide into the trends, legislation, economic indicators and current issues that matter to truckers. The show’s hosts keep it moving through their clever banter and range of hot topics. (Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher) </p> <p><strong>Comfort Feed: A Podcast with Everything on Top</strong> </p> <p>Host Bruce Outridge is like a friend on the other end of a CB or Formica table who you can talk to about anything and everything. His podcast, <a href="https://www.theleadpedalpodcast.com/" target="_blank">The Lead Pedal Podcast for Truck Drivers</a> is like a menu at a Greek diner. You’ll find over 1000 satisfying episodes on everything from goal-setting and tax strategies to the different owner-operator business models and tips for truck drivers with families. (Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRADIO or Soundcloud) </p> <p>Truck drivers, like everyone else, need to be conscious of their podcast feed. Expanding or changing that feed can instigate a host of positive—or negative—shifts in mood, productivity, creativity, positivity, health and understanding. </p> <p>With over 2,999,008 podcasts in the world according to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast#:~:text=As%20of%20December%202022%2C%20there%20are%20at%20least%202%2C999%2C008%20podcasts%20and%20152%2C596%2C784%20episodes." target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>, truck drivers are lucky to have so many options. They also have hours of opportunity to listen, learn and expand their worlds that people outside of trucking can only envy. </p>

May 01, 2024

Truckers Need to Consider Their Mental Health <p>Truckers are tough, hard-working, self-reliant and pragmatic by nature. They traditionally aren’t the types to acknowledge mental issues like depression, anxiety, loneliness or stress. </p> <p>It’s an unfortunate truth because trucking is stressful work and the demands of the job and lifestyle make it one of the hardest professions on mental health. A stark indicator of this is that the suicide rate among truckers is fifteen times higher than the general population, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7250a2.htm" target="_blank">according to CDC statistics.</a> </p> <p>If you’ve ever felt stressed, lonely, depressed, it’s not just you. </p> <p>May is mental health month and the perfect occasion for truckers to consider an issue that’s directly linked to their well-being, driving performance, relationships and livelihood. </p> <p>The long hours, isolation, frequent stress, exposure to traumatic traffic accidents, sleep deprivation, lack of exercise and poor diet that come with being a trucker take a toll. Truckers reported having significant mental health issues including depression (26.9%),loneliness (27.9%) and anxiety (14.5%) <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22757596/" target="_blank">in one often-cited study.</a> </p> <p>Mental health issues are common in trucking; ways of preventing them, treating them, and keeping them in check should be as well. Truckers are practical people. So what are some best practices that could help truckers when they feel their mental health is being strained? </p> <p><strong>Develop Tricks for Protecting Mental Health</strong> </p> <p><strong>• Stress</strong> – <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7312166/">Chronic stress has a strong link to depressive disorders.</a> For truckers, stress is everywhere and just part of everyday life on the road. Traffic, blind spots, delays, delivery appointments and other people’s moods come with the job. It’s important to have stress relief tricks. Will you practice deep breathing, <a href="https://www.truckerpath.com/blog/podcasts-feed-the-need-for-learning-laughter-and-inspiration-on-the-road/" target="_blank">listen to a great podcast</a>, list the things you’re grateful for, recite a mantra, say a prayer, sing a song or simply force yourself to smile? </p> <p><strong>• Depression</strong> – The conditions that can contribute to a depressive spiral include lack of sleep, lack of <a href="https://www.truckerpath.com/blog/trucker-tips-for-exercising-while-on-the-road/" target="_blank">exercise</a>, negative talk radio, depressants like alcohol, and poor diet. If you’re conscious of a downward mood trend, it’s possible to redirect toward things that lift you: happy music, a phone call with a friend, just focusing on happy memories. </p> <p><strong>• Anxiety</strong> – It happens to experienced drivers as well as new drivers. Irrational fear, hesitation or worry can be triggered by a bad experience – or nothing at all. Feelings of anxiety seem irrational, but they’re not to be ignored when they’re job related. The first step is acknowledgment, i.e. just accepting it’s an issue you’re going to have to work your way through. The second is addressing the issue – sometimes getting outside help is the most efficient way. </p> <p><strong>• Loneliness</strong> – Long haul drivers who spend days or weeks away from partners, children and friends know a very real form of pain. Prolonged isolation can take a toll on health – mental and physical. Develop tricks for nipping it in the bud. Have check in calls or texts with loved ones. Combat isolation by forcing yourself to say hello or strike up a conversation at truck stops. </p> <p><strong>Check in with Yourself – Do a Mental Pre-Trip</strong> </p> <p>Processes and best practices help truckers in other areas like doing pre-trip checks and adhering to routing guides, why not in assessing their mental health as well? </p> <p>Dr. Ronald C. Kessler developed a <a href="https://www.tac.vic.gov.au/files-to-move/media/upload/k10_english.pdf" target="_blank">10-point questionnaire</a> for rating mental distress. Truckers could use it as a quick reality check. He published the K10 survey while a professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School. K10 asks questions about anxiety and depressive symptoms experienced in preceding weeks. The score points to a level of psychological distress and whether a psychological disorder exists that should be addressed. </p> <p><strong>Know the Resources for Getting Help</strong> </p> <p>Don’t hesitate to get help. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for 24/7 support and crisis intervention. Trained professionals are there to talk. </p> <p><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/prevention-innovation-and-implementation-science-in-mental-health-the-next-wave-of-reform/DEEF2114D5ECD233C6D5A1B1154F4E74" target="_blank">Experts say</a> the sooner you receive appropriate treatment for mental health issues the better both for the quality and speed of recovery. Counseling is easier and more accessible than ever for truckers on the road, thanks to telehealth providers who can administer counseling by video or phone. </p> <p>The number of companies like <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/" target="_blank">BetterHelp</a> and <a href="https://prod-sasidenrollment.azurewebsites.net/launch?refnumber=000020127-117-168" target="_blank">Teladoc</a> providing virtual counseling has increased as telemedicine has become more common. And <a href="https://www.smartandsimple.com/partners/trucker-path/" target="_blank">health insurance policies</a> often cover it. Some fleets offer their own counseling options to drivers or provide financial help through employee assistance programs (EAPs). </p> <p>Truckers can also turn to Facebook groups like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/TruckersForTruckers/" target="_blank">Truckers For Truckers (Fight Against Depression And Suicide).</a> With over 3,000 members, this group has been around for seven years. </p> <p><strong>It’s a Hard Job – Go Easy on Yourself</strong> </p> <p>Mental health awareness month is a chance for truckers experiencing loneliness, stress, depression or anxiety to learn “it’s not just you” and that the harder it gets in there, the more important it is to reach out for help. </p>

May 08, 2024