%20Logo.svg "Stephen Mayo")
Being a truck driver comes with a sense of freedom, but being successful takes a lot of discipline.
One area that takes the most discipline is saving money. Everyone is always talking about how to make more money, but they don’t spend enough time talking about how to save the money they do earn.
One of the easiest ways to save money on the road? Avoid purchasing anything (other than fuel, of course) at truck stops. Have you ever noticed how expensive everything is at a truck stop? It’s a bit insane, but people have to eat, so they’ll pay the price, no matter what it is.
Between fuel, food, and other expenses, it’s easy to spend more than you need to (or more than you have). There’s already so much we have to pay for — no one wants to also have to pay for a shower and to park too.
But by doing the hard thing — trip planning, meal planning, using your points wisely — you can avoid spending any money at the truck stop. In fact, as a seasoned company driver in the van division here at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), I’ve managed to spend less than an Andrew Jackson (that’s a 20 in case you forgot) in a week!
There are smart ways to save money while getting what you need. In this article, I’ll show you how.
1. Maximize Your Fuel Rewards
Fuel is one of the biggest costs on the road, but truck stops offer fuel reward programs that can help you save on other things like coffee, snacks, equipment, parking, and showers.
Truck stops like Pilot, Flying J, TA, Petro, and Love’s offer points every time you fill up. Each gallon of fuel purchased is rewarded with points. The points can be redeemed for various perks, but the key is to know how to use the points wisely — aka, to save your points for higher-value purchases.
Your first step is to get a card if you don’t have one. Pilot and Flying J are owned by the same company. Together they offer one reward card. The same goes for TA and Petro. Love’s has its own reward card. I advise getting all three cards, as it’s not difficult and you can use each card to your advantage.
It’s pretty easy to get the reward cards. You can get them in-store, register online, or download the app. No matter how you choose to register for the card, I recommend downloading their corresponding apps to track your points, see deals, and reserve parking and showers.
2. Use the Cards Strategically
Using the cards strategically will work in your favor. I know a lot of drivers have a preference for which truck stop they like, but I choose based on which can give me the best discounts.
Spread your fuel purchases between a few chains to keep earning rewards without overloading one program. It helps if you know exactly what you can get from each rewards program, so be sure to familiarize yourself with each of them. For example, each gallon of fuel corresponds to specific amount of points. Those points can be redeemed for a set dollar amount.
I’ll tell you how I do things. The reward cards I listed above will give you a free shower credit anytime you fuel over 60 gallons. I always fill up when I’m at a half tank because a half tank is more than 60 gallons. This requires me to fill up more, sure, but I get more shower credits that way.
Pilot and Flying J give you unlimited showers for the rest of the month and the following month once you buy 1,000 gallons of fuel from them. At the beginning of the month, I focus all my fuel-ups at Pilot and Flying J until I’ve hit the 1,000-gallon mark. Once I do that, I know I’ve got unlimited showers for the rest of the month and next month. This means I save on paying for showers outright.
After that, I start fueling up at other places to spread the points around — which I later redeem for parking or equipment I need on the road.
Truck stop bathrooms can get pretty disgusting, so I use my shower credits to clean up for the day every day — whether I’m showering that day or not. Sometimes, it’s nice just to have a clean place to brush your teeth, wash your face, and use the bathroom.
Plus, with the app, I can reserve a shower from my truck, and by the time I’m walking to the entrance, I’ll already have a code to get in.
3. Use Points for Showers and Parking
You know those points I’ve been talking about? You can use them for snacks and coffee and other drinks, but you can also use them for practical things you need on the road, like showers and parking and things like headsets. I don’t know any driver who wants to pay to take a shower or to park. It really adds up if you want to stay clean on the road.
Instead of using your points for those tempting treats — that are often bad for you, like chips, candy, and soda — make your money stretch by using it for practical things you need anyway. You need a shower. You need parking. You don’t necessarily need that extra snack (though sometimes it’s nice to have one and it’s okay to get one).
If possible, avoid late-day driving when parking gets scarce. The earlier you stop, the easier it is to find free parking without the need for a reserved spot. Then you can use your points for showers and equipment.
4. Avoid Overpriced Items at Truck Stops
Truck stops are convenient, but they tend to mark up everything from snacks to everyday essentials. Over time, grabbing things like drinks, snacks, and toiletries at these stops can really add up.
Instead, stock up on what you need when you’re at home or at a big-box store like Walmart. Not only will you get better prices, but you’ll also have everything you need for the road.
Create a checklist of items you commonly need, and buy them in bulk when you’re home or near affordable stores.
5. Plan Your Meals
It’s really easy to avoid spending money at the truck stop if you make your meals in the truck or meal prep. One of the biggest expenses on the road is food. If you’re buying meals at truck stops, you’re not only spending a lot of money but you’re also likely eating less healthy.
To save, start meal prepping before hitting the road. Prepare meals in bulk at home, store them in portion-sized containers, and keep them fresh with a small fridge or cooler in your truck. Not only will this save you money, but you’ll also have control over what you’re eating.
Plenty of drivers also cook in the truck every night. With the right tools, it’s actually pretty easy. For days when you don’t have time to cook, swing by local grocery stores or dollar stores. You’ll find better deals on food than what’s offered at truck stops.
6. Utilize Truck Stop Apps
Today’s truck stop apps can be lifesavers when it comes to saving money and time. Apps from major stops like Pilot, TA, and Love’s allow you to track your points, reserve showers, and even see current fuel prices.
Remember to keep an eye on your reward points and make sure to redeem them for valuable items. These apps can also help you reserve parking and manage fuel receipts — all in one place.
Save Money on Fuel
Being on the road doesn’t mean you have to spend more than necessary. By taking advantage of fuel rewards, meal prepping, and being smart about where you spend your money, you can save big at truck stops.
Try these hacks out and watch your savings grow — after all, every dollar you save is a dollar earned.
And if you do want some money-saving tips, try these out to manage fuel consumption and save money at the same time.