Steering Both Worlds: How Trucking Moms Balance Life on the Road and at Home
- Kameel Gaines
- May 5
- 6 min read
When you think of a professional truck driver, what comes to mind? Long highways, massive trucks, and someone built for the grind of the open road. What people don't always see. The image of a mom behind the wheel, juggling deadlines, diapers, and everything in between, is often overlooked.
But that's the reality for so many women in trucking today. They're not just managing, they're thriving. Navigating tight delivery schedules and even tighter bedtime routines, these women show incredible strength and heart, inspiring us all with their resilience.
This Mother's Day, Rig on Wheels Broker & Recruitment Services is proud to celebrate the women who do it all. With their unwavering dedication, these female CDL drivers prove that love and hustle can share the same road. They're driving more than just loads. They're driving families, futures, and a fundamental change in the trucking industry.
How Trucking Moms Balance Life on the Road and at Home?
Balancing motherhood with a demanding trucking career isn't about "having it all"; it's about making it work with purpose, heart, and much hustle. Trucking moms do more than just survive; they lead purposefully, adapt to every challenge, and consistently show up for their loads and loved ones. Here's how these female truck drivers with children manage both sides of the wheel:
They Plan with Purpose: Trucking moms are expert planners, whether requesting home time for a school play or scheduling roadside check-ins. They often work closely with dispatch to ensure they don't miss the moments that matter, because family milestones are non-negotiable.
They Make Time Count: Time at home is precious. From Sunday pancake breakfasts to bedtime stories, these working moms in the trucking industry create meaningful memories that stick, even if their schedule doesn't allow them to be there every night.
They Stay Connected from the Cab: Many long-haul trucking moms lean on technology to stay in touch via video calls, voice notes, and even bedtime routines via Bluetooth. It might be a quick call before school or a goodnight message from the road, but those moments mean everything.
They Draw the Line: Boundaries are essential. Whether behind the wheel or home for a weekend, mom truckers focus on being fully present. Creating separation between work and home life helps them recharge and show up stronger in both worlds.
They Let Go of "Perfect": Mom guilt is real, especially when moms miss games or tuck-ins. However, through open communication with their kids and the grace to let go of perfection, they keep love at the center, no matter the distance.
They Take Care of Themselves, Too: Being a mom in a truck driving job means staying healthy isn't optional; it's survival. From choosing better meals on the road to squeezing in rest and stress management, they take care of themselves to stay strong for their families.
Challenges Trucking Moms Face and How They Overcome Them
Even the most organized, intentional moms can't plan their way around every challenge. Driving commercial trucks is demanding, and being a mom means facing pressure that others never truly understand.
Schedules That Shift Without Warning: No matter how well they coordinate with dispatch, these mothers are still at the mercy of delays, rerouted loads, and last-minute changes. These can throw off carefully planned family time and force tough decisions, like missing a school event they worked hard to be home for.
The Emotional Weight: These moms do everything possible to stay connected, but that doesn't mean it's easy. Do you wish you could be there in person to comfort a child over the phone or miss milestones? That hits hard. They show up the best way they can, but the ache of being away is real.
The Mental Load of "Doing It All": From the cab, they're still managing home life, thinking about doctor appointments, permission slips, and making sure the fridge is stocked while they're gone. The multitasking never stops, even on the road.
Limited Support on the Road: While they prioritize self-care, access to healthy food, quiet rest, or a safe place to pause isn't always available. It takes extra effort and creativity to stay well on the move.
While trucking can be isolating, the community is often supportive and understanding. The pressure to 'hold it all together' can be heavy, but there's a shared understanding among trucking moms. They often feel they must prove themselves as skilled female drivers and as committed parents who still show up fully, even from hundreds of miles away. This mutual support helps them navigate the challenges they face.
Why Is It All Worth It?
The road is long, the schedule is tight, and the sacrifices are real. But for many moms, trucking is more than a job. It's a chance to provide, grow, and chase freedom without letting go of family.
Ask a trucking mom why she does it, and you'll hear it in her voice:
"For my kids. For the life we're building. For myself."
Ultimately, it's not solely about transporting cargo. It's about delivering on promises to her family and herself. The work these women do is invaluable, not just in terms of the cargo they transport but also in terms of the values and lessons they impart to their children and the inspiration they provide to others.
She understands that each challenging day spent behind the wheel ensures the provision of food, payment of bills, and the preservation of dreams. It's building something her kids can look up to, not just a paycheck but a legacy of strength, hustle, and love. And yes, it's about pride too, the kind that comes from doing hard things, pushing past doubt, and showing up, day after day, mile after mile.
These women aren't looking for applause. They're looking ahead to the next stop, the next hug, and the next goal. And that's why it's all worth it.
You might also enjoy reading Women Leading the Trucking Industry: How Female Leaders Are Transforming Trucking from Highways to Boardrooms.
And for the veteran trucker mom, Jess Graham, who sacrificed everything for her daughter. "I got into trucking to get my daughter and I away from a domestic violence situation and my favorite or most memorable experience out here was just the first year of my career I was just driving and homeschooling my daughter on the road. We got our independence and got to experience lots of places and things we never would have been able to if it were not for trucking. I think her favorite memory is going to trick or treat at a Hershey factory I was delivering to on Halloween." You can read her and others’ shared stories in the Faces of the Road®️ 2025 digital calendar
The Future of Women in Trucking
The future is bright for today's moms and those who follow in their footsteps. As they continue to break barriers, these women are shaping the future of trucking, demonstrating that the road is open to everyone, regardless of their gender, background, or journey.
At Rig on Wheels, we celebrate the trailblazing women transforming this industry, one mile at a time. They're not just building careers in trucking; they're building legacies. With every long haul, they're laying the foundation for a more inclusive, diverse, and empowering future for the next generation of truck drivers.
The challenges are real, but the opportunities are endless. As mothers in trucking lead the way, they inspire others to follow, showing that it's not about the destination but the difference they make along the way. For the women who drive change, the road ahead is full of possibilities, and it's just getting started.
Tag a trucking mom who inspires you this Mother's Day or share your story. Let's keep the spotlight on the women behind the wheel.
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