National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW) is officially under way after kicking off Sunday, Sept. 14.
All of us here at Overdrive are no doubt thankful for each and every truck driver out there who spend their time away from home -- perhaps in “Road Mode” as coined by recently retired owner-operator Eric Schmidt -- missing ball games, birthdays, holidays with family and friends. We hope it goes without saying, but Overdrive is thankful for truck drivers not just this week, but year-round.
But given the week is officially recognized as the week that we celebrate the men and women behind the wheel moving goods all around our nation, companies and organizations all around trucking offer their thanks with events, deals and more.
DOT Secretary Sean Duffy
Transportation Secretary Duffy started the week with a post on X thanking drivers for the work they do. He also announced an event that took place Monday morning in New Jersey in which he was slated to meet with drivers and “tell you personally what makes trucking so great!”
On Monday, Duffy emphasized the launch of two pilot programs that were previously announced as part of DOT’s Pro Trucker package earlier this summer: a split duty period pilot program and a flexible sleeper berth pilot program.
“Truck drivers are the backbone of our economy, and we owe it to them to explore smarter, data-driven policies that make their jobs safer and more enjoyable,” Duffy said. “These pilot programs will help identify real solutions for America’s drivers without compromising safety.”
The split duty period pilot would allow participating drivers to pause their 14-hour daily clock for no less than 30 minutes and no more than three hours. The program seeks to collect data and assess whether added flexibility can maintain or improve safety outcomes.
The flexible sleeper berth pilot will explore additional sleeper berth split options beyond the current 8/2 and 7/3 configurations. FMCSA will test the safety implications of allowing drivers to divide their 10-hour off-duty requirement into 6/4 and 5/5 split periods to examine how those alternatives affect driver fatigue and overall safety performance in order to determine whether a wider range of rest options could benefit both drivers and the motoring public.
Protocol development for both pilot programs will begin in early 2026, DOT said, with more than 500 commercial truck drivers expected to participate in the efforts.
[Related: Significant hours-of-service change: FMCSA 2020 split sleeper berth provisions, explained]
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Truckers Against Trafficking
OOIDA and TAT are teaming up with Blue Tiger USA for a giveaway on Facebook during NTDAW. In an effort to honor owner-operators, who keep America running, TAT and OOIDA will give away two, over-the-ear, hands-free Storm Headsets and premium headset cases, as a result of a generous donation from Blue Tiger USA.
The giveaway will be announced on TAT’s and OOIDA’s Facebook pages on Tuesday, Sept. 16, during NTDAW and will be open for entry through Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Winners will be announced on Friday, Sept. 19.
American Trucking Associations
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear highlighted the work America’s truck drivers do in a statement Saturday, Sept. 13:
“When every convenience and necessity is available on a store shelf or just a click away, it can be easy to overlook America’s 3.6 million truck drivers who pull off this logistical feat day after day,” he said. “Our reliance on truckers is absolute, and our appreciation for them should be as well. These hardworking professionals should be celebrated for their dedication that powers our economy. National Truck Driver Appreciation Week provides the opportunity for Americans to give truck drivers the recognition and gratitude they richly deserve.”
ATA encouraged the trucking industry to engage their local communities during the week’s salute to truck drivers.
Kicking off the celebration, ATA distributed gift baskets to drivers at Iowa 80. On Monday, trucking supporters are encouraged to wear NTDAW’s official colors, burgundy and white. On Tuesday, ATA is encouraging its members to host a meal at their terminals. On Wednesday, the trucking industry is invited to join a Women In Motion webinar featuring women of America’s Road Team and enter to win a $500 gift card. On Thursday, America’s Road Team Captains will speak about their experience as drivers.
ATA will also be airing in-stadium ads at college football stadiums across the country, including Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.
Pennsylvania Turnpike
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association are partnering to celebrate NTDAW with events held at three different locations this week.
“Professional drivers are essential to the nation’s economy and to the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s mission of supporting national mobility and commerce,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “We pride ourselves on serving them with a reliable road system and look forward to partnering with organizations like the PMTA to enhance their travel experience.”
Truck Driver Appreciation Week events will be held along the PA Turnpike from 12-3 p.m. on the following days at these service plaza locations:
- Tuesday, Sept. 16 -- Allentown Service Plaza, at mile marker 55.9 north and south
- Wednesday, Sept. 17 -- South Somerset Service Plaza, at mile marker 112.4, eastbound
- Thursday, Sept. 19 -- Sideling Hill Service Plaza, at mile marker 172.30 east and west
At participating plazas, truck drivers can enjoy a complimentary beverage and slice of pizza, as well as enter a raffle for the chance to win a 30 oz. Yeti tumbler.
Love's Travel Stops
Throughout September, professional drivers can visit Love’s locations to redeem offers through the company's loyalty program, My Love Rewards and on the Love’s Connect App.
My Love Rewards members will receive an email with available offers and they can activate mobile deals with a single tap in the special offer email or in the Deals section of the Love’s Connect App.
Among Truck Driver Appreciation promotions are:
- Earn double My Love Rewards points on any in-store product purchase in September by adding the Mobile Deal to your My Love Rewards card.
- Get a Premium Bundle truck wash at the Deluxe Bundle price by adding the Mobile Deal.
- Get $3 off a three pack of gloves through Oct. 31.
- Redeem a Free Drink Credit by redeeming the Mobile Deal in Love's Truck Care locations while supplies last.
- Weekly discounts on various food items through the My Love Rewards card or Love’s Connect App.
DAT
The DAT load board is hosting free Driver Appreciation BBQ events Monday and Tuesday to thank truckers for keeping America moving.
The Monday event was held at the Coffee Cup Fuel Stop at I-90 & Hwy. 11, Exit 406, in Brandon, South Dakota from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday’s event is scheduled to take place at the Coffee Cup Fuel Stop in Hartford, South Dakota (1001 S. Western Ave.), from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
DAT is inviting all professional truck drivers to stop by the Backyard BBQ food truck for a free meal and visit the DAT booth nearby to get swag and also learn more about the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF). DAT is an SCF sponsor, furthering their mission to help drivers and their families when an illness or injury has caused them to be out of work.
“DAT’s success is built on the work and dedication of owner-operators, small carriers, and their truck drivers,” said Jeff Clementz, DAT President and CEO. “Freight doesn’t move and our business simply wouldn’t exist without them. These events are our way of saying thank you.”
Transfix
In honor of NTDAW, Transfix announced the launch of its first annual Freight Fantasy Football League, which aims to raise $10,000 or more for the St. Christopher’s Trucking Relief Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting truck drivers who are out of work due to injury or illness.
While the fantasy league officially locked on Sept. 7, the fundraiser remains open to all. Freight brokers, 3PLs, carriers, and shippers across the industry are encouraged to contribute directly to the Freight Fantasy Football League Fundraiser, with 100% of proceeds benefiting St. Christopher’s Fund. Donations will be accepted through Super Bowl Sunday.
“With National Truck Driver Appreciation Week coming up, we wanted to find a way to combine three things we love: football, the freight community, and giving back to the people who keep our industry running – truck drivers,” said Jonathan Salama, CEO and Co-founder of Transfix. “If there’s one lesson that stood out over the last year, it’s that the industry moves forward faster when we work together, and this is just the beginning. Partnering with St. Christopher’s Fund is an incredible opportunity to have fun while making a meaningful impact. We hope you’ll join us.”
“On behalf of the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF), I extend our heartfelt thanks to Transfix for selecting SCF as the charity partner of the first annual Freight Fantasy Football League,” said Courtney Niemann, Executive Director at St. Christopher’s Trucking Relief Fund. “We are truly grateful for this partnership, which will help ensure professional drivers have the support they need when illness or injury takes them off the road.”
WEX
As part of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, WEX’s over-the-road business will offer a sign-on bonus: $25 off a first-time 75-gallon purchase for 10-4 by WEX app users from September 14 to 20.
10-4 by WEX is free mobile app that offers fuel discounts typically reserved for larger trucking enterprises to independent truckers and small trucking companies in the U.S., the company said. App users can claim fuel discounts at thousands of locations nationwide including the 7FLEET Diesel Network (Speedway, Stripes, and 7-Eleven), Circle K, Love's Travel Stops, Sapp Bros., TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express, RaceTrac, and Road Ranger.
RaceTrac
RaceTrac is celebrating the truck driver community throughout the entire month of September. Professional drivers registered in RaceTrac’s Rewards program and RaceTrac app will receive exclusive discounts, bonus loyalty points and free goodies all month long at its travel centers and high-flow diesel stores.
“At RaceTrac, we understand that professional drivers are the backbone of our economy, and we are proud to honor their dedication and hard work,” said Mark Reese, vice president of operations, facility management, data analytics, loss prevention and store support for RaceTrac. “Extending Truck Driver Appreciation Week to a month-long celebration allows us to express our gratitude and support for these incredible individuals who keep the roads safe and our communities connected. We hope our special offers will help make their workdays a little bit easier and serve as a reminder of our ongoing respect and appreciation.
RaceTrac’s official Truck Driver Appreciation Month promotions include:
- One free pizza slice per week
- One free fountain drink per week
- 2x loyalty points on fuel all month long
Hot food and drink offers are redeemable at all RaceTrac stores for qualified guests who select “professional” in their driver profile on the app. RaceTrac is also doubling the professional driver Rewards points on all in-store purchases and pump fill-ups all month long.
