Play It Again: What Do Boyd Bros. Drivers Listen To On The Road?

Post Date - Nov 30, 2023

Today, we're exploring a topic that adds rhythm and narrative to the life of professional truck drivers: What do they listen to while navigating across the country? From the melodies that keep our fingers tapping to the spoken words that make the miles fly by, let's look at the world of truckers' audio companions and some Boyd driver favorites.

Music: The Heartbeat of the Highway

According to a recent industry survey, 66% of professional truck drivers stream music on popular platforms like Spotify, Pandora, or Apple Music. Whether it's the latest chart-topper or a classic tune that harks back to yesteryears, music is a constant companion for most drivers on the road.

From rock to bluegrass, country to hip-hop, truck drivers' musical preferences span a wide spectrum. However, according to a thread on Reddit, many drivers seem to gravitate towards classic rock, alternative, rap, heavy metal, jazz, or soft rock. When we asked Boyd Bros. drivers, there were plenty of rock’n’roll and country preferences, with our drivers naming these among their faves:

  • Songs that directly speak to the trucking experience, like Alabama's Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler) or Kathy Mattea's Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses
  • Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts
  • When it Rains it Pours by Luke Combs
  • Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • Highway to Hell by AC/DC
  • Hotel California by Eagles
  • The General Lee by Johnny Cash
  • People Are Crazy by Billy Currington

Podcasts: The Echo of Endless Roads

Music isn't the only sound filling the cabs of trucks. An increasing number of drivers are tuning into podcasts. These digital audio shows cover a wide array of subjects, from news to comedy to sports and everything in between.

Among the most popular podcasts for truck drivers are "Talk CDL Trucking Podcast," "The Joe Rogan Experience," "This American Life," and "Big Rig Banter." Whether it's engaging debates, riveting true crime stories, or enlightening interviews, podcasts offer truckers a way to learn, laugh, and stay alert during those long hours behind the wheel.

Audiobooks: Stories That Travel

With your eyes on the road and your ears free, many Boyd Bros. truck drivers tell us they are becoming avid audiobook listeners. From thrilling mysteries to enlightening nonfiction, audiobooks offer a hands-free way for truckers to immerse themselves in a good story while keeping their focus on the road.

Some popular stories for truckers right now include:

  • We Are Legion (We Are Bob), Bobiverse, Book 1 by Dennis E. Taylor -- A hilarious novel, narrated by the brilliant Ray Porter, that revels in the brave new world of corpsicles, artificial intelligence, interstellar space probes, and space colonization in tantalizing detail.
  • The Killing Floor by Lee Child – If you’re a fan of the Reacher series on Amazon, check out the book that started it all! In The Killing Floor, Jack Reacher, a former military guy, can’t seem to avoid conflict no matter where he is, taking the listener on hours of edge-of-the-seat adventures.
  • The Long Haul: A Trucker's Tales of Life on the Road by Finn Murphy -- It's been more than 30 years since Finn Murphy began hauling memories (including remains), treasures, and furniture all around the country. Interesting, fun, and sometimes challenging, he keeps listeners engaged with humor and humanity.
  • King of the Road by Alex Debogorski – Viewers of Ice Road Truckers will find this gem by Debogorski entertaining. His long hauls take him over the most treacherous roads that exist—the roads he travels are paved with ice as he delivers goods to Alaska and Canada’s frozen north, and every now and then, there’s a bear to contend with.

Life on the road can be as entertaining as you want! With the right soundtrack or engaging narrative, professional truck drivers can transform their cab into a concert hall, a lecture theater, or a riveting mystery den.

Here’s something else that may be music to your ears: Boyd Bros. is now hiring for a variety of job opportunities. Give us a call to see if they might be the right fit for you!