Not only does trucking give you the opportunity to enjoy the open road during every season, but it can also be a lucrative career. The average truck driver in the United States is taking home an approximate base salary of $102,056 per year. But on the other end of the spectrum, there are stories about truck drivers going broke because they aren’t making enough money to cover their expenses — especially in this down market. If your paychecks are less than ideal, you may wonder how you can maximize your income or save a few bucks out on the road.

If you pay attention to the transportation industry, you probably already have an inkling of what’s happening with the market. Following nearly two years of record highs, freight rates in the spot market are trending down. If the trend continues, you may hear whispers of a declining trucking demand or whispers of a recession. While there’s certainly been a slowdown in demand, that doesn’t mean your career in trucking is futile; it just means you have to learn to run a bit differently.

Concerned about the rising fuel costs? You aren’t the only one. Trucking companies, truck drivers and drivers alike are all concerned about the increase in prices and what it means for their wallets.

Have you ever considered just quitting your trucking job and leaving your truck exactly where it’s parked? I think we’ve all probably had fleeting moments where we’ve considered quitting our jobs on the spot and leaving our workstations just as they are, grabbing our coats and walking out without saying a word to anyone and never coming back.