THE COMPLETE TRUCK DRIVER PACKING LIST

Preparing your truck for a trip is essential to keep yourself safe and comfortable while you’re on the road. Whether you’re a regional or OTR driver, your truck should be equipped with everything necessary for a trip, no matter what the duration.  When you’re on the road, there’s nothing worse than realizing you forgot something. Packing is a real struggle for truck drivers. Even though you can’t fit everything from home in the cab, you need to make sure it’s loaded with all the essentials for your haul. As the old saying goes, a little planning goes a long way. Here’s a list of things truck drivers need on the road.

Clothing

There are two rules for truck driver packing regarding clothing: pack enough clothes and pack the right clothes. Finding laundry machines at your local truck stop is rare, so make sure you have enough for your entire run, plus a few extra outfits. And remember: trucking isn’t a beauty pageant. Your clothes should be comfortable and appropriate for whatever weather you may face. That includes:

• Shirts
• Pants and shorts
• Socks
• Underwear
• Sleepwear
• Jacket
• Tennis shoes & weatherproof boots
• Laundry basket or bag
• Sunglasses
• Gloves

Toiletries

Any seasoned truck driver will tell you that those soaps and shampoos at truck stops aren’t worth what they charge. You’ll save money by packing your own toiletries. Buy a small shower bag or shower caddy and fill it with all your essentials, like:

• Soap
• Shampoo
• Deodorant
• Razors & shaving cream
• Shower shoes
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Any daily medication you take
• Over-the-counter medicine in case you get sick on the road

Cleaning Supplies

Your truck is your home away from home. Keep it clean and organized and you’ll feel a lot better when you pull over for the night. Here are some truck driver must-haves for keeping the cab clean:

• Paper towels
• Disinfectant wipes
• Trash bags
• Air freshener
• Handheld vacuum

Food and Drink

You can’t always pull over for three square meals a day, but you can’t go hungry either. Stock your truck with food and drinks to beat the cravings and keep on rolling. And trust us, we love chips and chocolate as much as anyone, but you’re better off snacking on healthier options. With food, here are the common truck driver essentials:

• Slow cooker & ingredients
• Plates, bowls, cutlery
• Granola bars
• Beef jerky
• Unsalted nuts
• Fresh fruit or veggies
• Water

Entertainment

Whether you’re waiting on a loading dock or winding down after a long day, you need ways to entertain yourself on the road. Thankfully, technology makes it easy for truck drivers to stay entertained and connected with friends and family wherever they go. Make sure your cab includes some of these to avoid going stir crazy:

• Books or an e-reader
• Audiobooks or podcasts
• Laptop or tablet
• Cellphone & Bluetooth headset
• Movies or CDs
• Headphones
• Any chargers you need

Emergency Supplies

Between winter blizzards and summer storms, you never know what kinds of road conditions you’ll face on your haul. We recommend buying a durable backpack and keeping it filled with any supplies you need to get through mother nature’s wrath. Here’s what’s included in a truck driver emergency kit:

• Flashlight & batteries
• Space blankets
• First aid kit
• Nonperishable food and extra water
• Road atlas
• Basic tools
• Pocket knife

Cash and Identification

Just about everyone pays with credit or debit card these days. But, some banks will cancel a driver’s card without warning because of “fraudulent activity.” It helps to have a backup payment option along with all your ID cards. Make sure you pack:

• Cash
• Checks
• CDL
• Health insurance card

No matter how many miles you have under your belt, we all forget to pack something now and then. Go through our complete truck driver packing list before rolling out and you’ll always be ready. For more ways to make life easier on the road, check out our truck driver tips.

Remember, you won’t have much room in your truck, so make sure you pack light and pack smart.