Cost Of Living On The Road For A Week....

I just become a new company driver for a company. I am wondering the cost of living on the road for five days? I know you have to pay for showers and meals. My company pays for fuel. Is there anything else I am missing? Can someone give me the general average of money a trucker spends on the road in 5 days?

Showers are free with a 50 gal purchase. For food buy canned goods. Soups and chili. Crackers, granola bars and cheese sticks round out the menu. A case of bottled water and some juice. All of this can be had at Walmart. A month of supplies costs about $100. For variety I'll have a subway or a sit down meal once a week for $10-15.

Thanks for the reply. I am a little concerned because I am going out with a trainer. Being I have a limited budget, I am concerned about having to spend an arm and a leg right now before I get into actually driving on my own.

Your trainer can provide showers. If money is really tight a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread will sustain you for a good while. You can manage it if you're careful. Truck stop restaurant meals are gonna run you 12 - 15 bucks. A sandwich from their cooler will be cheaper, but like I said you can go ultra cheap if you need to.

Your trainer can provide showers. If money is really tight a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread will sustain you for a good while. You can manage it if you're careful. Truck stop restaurant meals are gonna run you 12 - 15 bucks. A sandwich from their cooler will be cheaper, but like I said you can go ultra cheap if you need to.

Subways meal are $6 including drink and snack. Salads are like $5

Yes your trainer can provide showers. A team shower can be requested by your trainer and it doesn't cost them any extra shower credits or points. If you had to pay cash for a shower, they cost $12-$15 each.. yikes!

Food costs are going to be what you make them. Meals in truck stops are a little higher than typical fast food places of MickeyDs, Wendys, etc. Roller grill hotdogs run 2 for $3 and double cheeseburgers are about $5 as are deli sandwiches. I personally love the starkist marinated tuna pouches with crackers, fruit cups, yogurt, salad, etc that I keep in my refrigerator. Your trainer may or may not have a fridge or cooler but the tuna pouches are shelf stable. Crackers, pop tarts, peanut butter, stuff like that is cheap, needs no refrigeration and is easy to pack and store with your gear.

A sit down meal with a drink will set you back $15-$20 a pop so we dont do those daily.. more like once or twice a week. Another tip, don't eat a big meal and then drive.. it'll make you SLEEPY!

Some companies will advance you maybe $150 for a week. Yes, it comes out of your next paycheck, but at least you can get your grub.

Small jar of peanut butter, loaf of bread, box of granola bars, bag of apples (if there is a cooler in the truck), or a bag of oranges, some cans of tuna and a case of water.

Might get old, but an apple or orange and a granola bar make a decent breakfast, tuna sandwhich for lunch, then a peanut butter sandwhich for dinner. Will get you through for a week or so until you can expand your pantry.

Also, don't worry about showers or coffee/fountain drinks. Most truck stops have a rewards program. Wherever your company fuels at, get the rewards cards from those places. I've been solo a little over two weeks and already have unlimited showers and drink refills at both Loves and Pilot/Flying J.

As long as you maintain a certain gallons per month, you should be able to maintain those rewards.