The holiday season is upon us, and if a truck driver is on your list this year, look no further for some gift ideas! While trucking is increasingly becoming a diverse industry, there are a few things that all truckers have in common: they work hard under some of the most challenging conditions and would probably appreciate a gift to help manage life on the road. Here are 20 holiday gift ideas for any kind of truck in your life.
For the trucker running long-haul
1. A Love’s or other truck stop gift card If you know a truck driver spending weeks out on the road, consider getting them a gift card to Love’s or another travel location. From snacks to showers, having some extra cash on the road is always appreciated.
2. Toiletry bag or travel bag
Speaking of breaks for showers, efficiently getting into a truck stop, showering, and getting out to get food or some rest can be aided by a good toiletry or travel bag. Bonus points if you fill the bag with the driver’s favorite soap, shampoo, deodorant, and toothpaste.
3. Audio Book membership, music service subscription, or streaming service subscription Thousands of miles on the road allow for plenty of time to listen to music, podcasts, and audio books. Purchasing or renewing a subscription for a truck driver can be an essential part of the time spent in their truck. A streaming service subscription can ensure your driver doesn’t miss out on their favorite TV shows or movies while on break.
4. Lumbar support pillows or seat cushions
Support the spinal health of your favorite truck driver by gifting them a lumbar support or seat cushion. Maintaining proper posture has a variety of benefits, including reducing or preventing back pain, boosting blood flow and circulation to your legs, and helping to improve focus.
5. Curtains
Quality privacy curtains can help improve driver comfort in the cab while a driver is on break. Having a darker cab can help improve rest during daylight hours.
For the trucker who prioritizes keeping the cab clean
6. Handheld vacuum
The truck cab is where a driver does his job, eats, sleeps, and lives while on the road. To keep the cab clean is the same as cleaning a house. Help a truck driver in your life to make their home-away-from-home sparkle with some cleaning equipment. A cordless, handheld vacuum is a great place to start if they do not have this equipment already.
7. Quick-dry microfiber towels From cleaning up soda spills to drying your hands, microfiber towels have the ability to hold twice their weight. A few microfiber towels could make all the difference in keeping your cab clean and reducing the need to buy and store paper towels.
8.Back-of-seat organizer
The cab of a semi-truck isn’t just where a driver eats and sleeps, it’s where they work! Having paperclips, pens, extra paper, and other materials handy for checking in at shippers and handling paperwork can make the job easier. A back-of-seat compartmentalized organizer can be a handy place to keep those smaller items.
9. Steering Wheel Clipboard Speaking of paperwork, a steering wheel clipboard can be a read-to-go steady surface for drivers to write on when needed.
For the new truck driver
10. Quality Bluetooth Headset
If you know a driver who’s newer to the road, and they do not yet have a hands-free way to answer the phone, a bluetooth headset is a must! Not only is this a matter of safety, it’s a much more convenient way to stay in touch with both dispatch and loved ones.
11. Phone mount
The same goes for where to put their cell phone! Keep your driver organized and hands-free with a cell phone mount.
12. High-quality polarized sunglasses If this is the first winter on the road for the driver in your life, they might be surprised to discover how much a snow-glare can impair their vision. Between the snow-glare and sunny summer drivers, good polarized sunglasses can make the difference to clear vision all year round.
13. Scratch off map
Photo courtesy of Cascadia Modern
Think about why the new truck driver you know got into the industry in the first place! While the trucking industry is a great way to earn a living and provide for your family, it’s also a unique way to travel and see the country. Celebrate the new places your truck driver ventures and help them track their progress with a fun scratch-off map.
For the “foodie” truck driver
14. Travel cookware It can be difficult to find a home-cooked, healthy meal on the road when fast food chains dominate the freeway exits. Preparing meals in the truck cab is a healthier and more cost effective option to trucking, especially when you have the right tools. Countertop appliances like a microwave, single-slice toaster, air fryer, or mini slow cookers can help with quick meals or meal prep. Continental driver Brandon swears by a George Foreman grill in his cab.
15. Single-serve coffee maker
Just like dining out can get expensive, cups of coffee can add up! Single-served coffee makers are compact and allow a driver to make coffee all day long from the comfort of their truck.
Bonus! Stocking Stuffers
16. New gloves
Truck drivers can work through a pair of gloves quickly, and having an extra set on hand in the winter is always a good idea.
17. New tools
A pack of zip ties, a rubber mallet, electric tape – there are a few tools that can help out a driver in a mechanical pinch! For more ideas, veteran CE driver Dave Wolford breaks down the tools he carries on his truck on Continental’s TikTok channel.
18. Shelf-stable snacks
Think beef jerky, trail mix, granola bars, protein bars, dried fruit, and other healthy, shelf-stable snacks! These are all good to have on hand at any time, but especially through the next couple of winter-weather months, should a driver find themselves stuck out in the weather.
19. Degreaser towels
Disposable degreaser towels are heavy-duty wipes that can stand up to even stubborn 5th wheel grease.
20. Continental Express gear
We’re a little biased here, but Continental Express shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, hats, and more will make a great gift for any Continental Express driver. Check out the company store here.
