News

The kickoff to the biggest holiday season of the year is almost upon us – Thanksgiving. Of course, that’s not news to many truck drivers, many of whom have been hauling Thanksgiving and Black Friday goods for weeks already. What many drivers are focused on, instead, is the fact that they might be spending the holiday on the road.

Missing out on friends, family and a great homecooked feast is a harsh part of being a truck driver. There are still ways to celebrate on the go, though – no matter where you are. A little planning and ingenuity, and you can enjoy a slice of Thanksgiving on the road (and a slice of pie, too). Here’s our favorite tips and tricks.

Have “Friendsgiving” with other drivers.
If several of your coworkers will be back at the terminal at the same time, have Friendsgiving in the driver lounge. You can have a traditional Thanksgiving meal if you’re all feeling ambitious. A potluck with everyone’s favorite dishes, though, is simple for everyone. It also lets you enjoy foods you might not have had before on Thanksgiving (spicy flautas and curries, anyone?).

Make an on-the-road Thanksgiving meal

If you’re out on the road when the big day arrives, you can still enjoy some of your Thanksgiving favorites. Sure, nothing beats the real thing, but these sure beat boxed mac n’ cheese.

• Microwave sweet potato: everybody’s favorite side dish is easy to make in your rig. Pierce an 8 oz sweet potato several times with a fork (otherwise it will explode!). Place on a paper towel and microwave for 2-4 minutes each side. Test with a fork to see if it is ready (you should be able to easily pierce it now). Then just cut in half, and top with butter, marshmallows, seasonings or whatever you’d like.
• Buy ready-to-eat roast turkey slices. If you have a toaster oven in your rig, you can heat them up for about 10 minutes. If not, make a turkey sandwich out of thick bread, lettuce, tomato and your favorite condiments. Delish.
• Vegetables and greens: you can cook these up easily in your rig’s microwave, too. Make sure you have a microwave-safe container, add a little water to the bottom, vent the container’s lid and microwave the veggies for one minute at a time, until cooked to desired texture.
• Gravy: while grandma’s blue-ribbon gravy might be difficult to replicate in a big rig, you can substitute instant gravy made in the microwave. Not as good, true, but you’ll at least get the savory warm flavor on your food.
• Pumpkin pie is easy to find this time of year, and should fit nicely in your rig’s mini fridge, too. Add some whipped cream, and you’ve got the quintessential Thanksgiving dessert (and best of all, you don’t have to share with your brother-in-law).

Treat yourself at the truck stop

This time of year, many truck stops offer Thanksgiving specials in their restaurants. Even convenience stores at truck stops usually have seasonal snacks, like apple pie, holiday flavors, and the ubiquitous pumpkin spice drinks. If possible, check the websites and social media accounts of truck stops, so you can plan your meal ahead of time.

And if you need a little help, we’ve written a few roundups on the best truck stops in the southwest:

• The best truck stops in Nevada
• The best truck stops in New Mexico
• The best truck stops in Utah
• The best truck stops in Arizona

Don’t forget the football game

If your Thanksgiving isn’t complete without some football, there’s plenty of ways to catch a game once your day is done. If you’re a big fan already, you likely already have a subscription to a streaming service already (and maybe even a decent-sized screen in your sleeper berth!). There are other ways to get your football fix, though:

• That Friendsgiving we talked about? You can all gather around and watch the game in the driver’s lounge after you’ve eaten.
• If you stop at a restaurant, odds are good they’ll have a football game on (and if not, you can always ask).

Zoom is still your best friend

None of this makes up for missing loved ones at home, of course. Zoom and Facetime, our pandemic-era lifelines, are still the best ways to reach out and say hello.

Thanksgiving for truck drivers often takes a little creativity to make special. With a bit of ingenuity, though, you can enjoy Thanksgiving on the road. And if you’d rather be on the road with a certified Elite Fleet, then take a look at our current openings. Get in touch with Truline today.