You know what they say – being an over-the-road (OTR) driver is a lifestyle, not just a job. Not seeing family and home for extended periods of time, having work schedules that are not 9 to 5, and dealing with the solitude that truck drivers often face is not for everyone. But the freedom that comes with the job, and the miles covered gives this profession the unique opportunity to see more of this beautiful country than most others will ever experience in their lifetime giving them the chance to also be a tourist.

With a bit of planning, truck drivers can take advantage of finding the points of interest along their route and get out and explore. There are often rest stops along the way that are very near sites like The Wall in South Dakota or the Cadillac Ranch in Nevada. Or truck stops like the Candy Bass Nashville Travel Center, where you can park your truck and take a ride share service for a few dollars to check out Music Row or the Grand Ole Opry. By using a smartphone, laptop or tablet you can look up points of interest at your next stop and investigate costs and parking options.  

If you can drop your trailer at the customer, most state and national parks will allow you to “bobtail” in. Call ahead or look on their websites to make sure. If they have RV parking they most likely will let you in with the cab. You will be able to visit locations like the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Gettysburg and Yellowstone to name a few.

Other tourist type destinations that are truck friendly are the Yellow House Village in New Mexico, the Salt Flats in Utah or the Impact Crater in Winslow, Arizona. And make sure you check out “The Thing” while in Arizona –the kitschy tourist stop is worth the dollar admission price and good for a few laughs.

There are also many travel centers or rest stops leading in to places like New York City or Washington, DC. These stops are either near or next to a train stop that will take you right into the heart of these attraction-rich locations. Or you can again opt for an Uber or Lyft to the places you want to check out for minimal cost.

Often there are signs in some states pointing to upcoming points of interests that you can perhaps pull off and check out during a break. You can always call ahead and see if they accommodate trucks or if there is a rest stop or travel center nearby.

Don’t forget there are also many scenic routes throughout the country that are also truck friendly. Take a break from the interstate and take advantage of these roads. It will keep you more alert and aware as you check out the surroundings and give you something interesting to look at instead of the traffic.  

While we only mentioned a few of the great places to check out there are many more out there that could be on the roads you travel. Why not take advantage of seeing the sites while on your route – a little bit of planning is all it takes to see some of the great sites this country has to offer.