The trucking industry is vital to the American economy. An estimated 3.5 million truck drivers moved 10.6 billion pounds of freight in 2016, which represents 71% of all the freight tonnage moved in the United States. Simply put, trucking moves America, and if trucks stop, so does our economy.

In recognition of the contributions that truck drivers and all the people who support the trucking industry make to our country, we sent a filmmaker on the road to shoot a short documentary about the life of a trucker. We wanted to highlight the joys and challenges of life on the road, and bring attention to the critical contribution that trucking makes to our nation. We are releasing this documentary to coincide with National Truck Drivers Appreciation Week, and we are also announcing a partnership with the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund, a truck driver charity that helps over-the-road and regional semi-truck drivers and their families when an illness or injury, occurring within the last year, has caused them to be out of work. Armstrong Tire is pleased to be a Gold Sponsor of this wonderful organization. 

We hope you’ll enjoy this film, and that you’ll take the time to share your own story with us by submitting it at the bottom of the page.

FILMMAKER’S NOTE:

There are many misconceptions about truck driving and truck drivers, and I tried to include the ones that I believe are most salient in the documentary. My experience helped me develop a ton of respect for the profession and for the people who choose it as their life’s calling. It’s a tough, challenging profession, filled with brave individuals with big hearts. I hope that I’ve done all of you right with this story.

Brandon Hoe
Filmmaker

SPECIAL THANKS TO

FOR HELPING TO MAKE THIS CAMPAIGN HAPPEN

TRUCK DRIVER'S PROFILE

NAME:
Nick Mihailovic

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: 
Chicago Bulls

YEARS DRIVING: 
11 years

HOMETOWN:
I was born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia, and immigrated with my parents to Chicago, IL when I was 15 years old

FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE JOB:
The freedom to work on my own terms, the view, the money. I have plenty of time to run errands, read books, learn new things, and think!

LEAST FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB:
Loneliness and being away from family and friends for few weeks at a time.

FAVORITE DESTINATION:
Chicago. I love the feeling of ‘coming home’ as I get closer to the city and see the skyline. I also love driving through the desert, especially during sunrise or sunset. Nothing more beautiful than that.

WORST LOAD:
Cow hides. The smell was horrible and I refused to take it. I was also tricked into hauling a load of garbage once, which ruined my trailer.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO WHILE DRIVING?
Audio books - they calm me down and keep my mind sharp. I’m also a fan of country music and gangsta rap, depending on my mood

ADVICE FOR NEW DRIVERS:
Driving a truck can be a beautiful thing. You learn independence, patience, and how to control your emotions.  There are opportunities to grow by reading books, meeting new people, visiting new places, and expanding your horizons.

Least favorite part of job:
LONELINESS AND BEING AWAY FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Worst load:
FRESH COW HIDES - I REFUSED TO TAKE IT

Advice for new drivers:
DRIVING A TRUCK CAN BE A BEAUTIFUL THING. YOU LEARN INDEPENDENCE, PATIENCE, AND HOW TO CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS. THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW BY READING BOOKS, MEETING NEW PEOPLE, VISITING NEW PLACES AND EXPANDING YOUR HORIZONS.

SUBMIT

We know that the trucking lifestyle presents lots of opportunities for interesting stories. We’ve managed to capture a narrow slice of the trucking life, and we’d love to hear your version. Share your story with us, and we may feature you in the future.

TELL US YOUR STORY

THE HIGHWAY IS MY HOME

A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT LIFE AS A TRUCK DRIVER

SPECIAL THANKS TO

FOR HELPING TO MAKE THIS CAMPAIGN HAPPEN

SPECIAL THANKS TO

FOR HELPING TO MAKE THIS CAMPAIGN HAPPEN

WORST LOAD:
Cow hides. The smell was horrible and I refused to take it. I was also tricked into hauling a load of garbage once, which ruined my trailer.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO WHILE DRIVING?
Audio books - they calm me down and keep my mind sharp. I’m also a fan of country music and gangsta rap, depending on my mod

ADVICE FOR NEW DRIVERS:
Driving a truck can be a beautiful thing. You learn independence, patience, and how to control your emotions.  There are opportunities to grow by reading books, meeting new people, visiting new places, and expanding your horizons.

THE HIGHWAY
IS MY HOME

A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT LIFE AS A TRUCK DRIVER

Copyright © Armstrong Tire 2018

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