Seven spring destinations truck drivers need to visit!

Thumbtacks

As the temperatures get warmer and the days get longer, you may be looking for some ways to spend more time outside. At Freymiller, we care about your satisfaction in and out of the driver’s seat, so we did all the research on the seven best spring destinations for CDL-A drivers.

Florida’s Indian River Lagoon
Florida beaches may be one of the nation’s top vacation spots in the spring and summer. While the beaches give you an opportunity to lay in the sun and relax, they can be a bit crowded, so we wanted to give you a unique option: the Indian River Lagoon. The lagoon offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences like kayaking at night on a bioluminescent river, going on an eco-tour in one of the most ecological diverse areas in the nation, and luxurious riverfront dining. If you’re looking for a spring destination unlike any other, visiting Indian River Lagoon is the way to go!

Texas’ Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Otherwise known as the Grand Canyon of Texas, this state park is a must-see. With 120 miles of canyon to explore on hiking trails, horseback, mountain bike, or car you’re sure to have the experience of a lifetime getting an up-close view of the rugged and beautiful vistas. And since everything is bigger in Texas, we wanted to give you two options for fun vacation destinations in the Lone Star State. Rockport Beach is Texas’ first Blue Wave Beach, meaning its blue waters exceed environmental standards and are perfect for relaxation and recreation.

Oklahoma’s Salt Plains State Park
With our Oklahoman roots, we had to feature one of the most unique spring destinations right here in our home state: Salt Plains State Park in Jet, Oklahoma. The wide-open salt plains are made from an ocean from prehistoric times, making it a unique landscape to hike, fish, and even dig for crystals in! Open from April 1 to mid-October, the crystal dig area is the only place in the world where you can find hourglass-shaped selenite crystal!

Colorado’s Flatirons
Boulder, Colorado is home to some of the most fascinating vistas with the iconic appearance of the slanted sandstone Flatiron mountains. You can hop on hiking trails or just enjoy the view from Boulder, a nearby town that’s been described as “stuck in a ‘60s mindset.” Boulder is full of personality with its art galleries, shops, breweries, cafes, and more! And if the big city is more your speed, Denver is a short 45-minute drive from smalltown Boulder. Enjoy the city’s boutiques, zoo, museums, and top-of-the-line restaurants for the perfect quick city trip!

South Carolina’s Huntington Beach
Do you prefer slow paced vacations? Then this beach in South Carolina is for you! Unlike the state’s top tourism spot, Myrtle Beach, Huntington Beach is all about rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation! Enjoy the coastline, rent a boat for a day, participate in some bird watching, or cast your line from some optimal fishing spots. One Huntington Beach visitor described it as having “beautiful scenery with long unspoiled beaches and clear water,” adding on, “You can’t go wrong with a visit here!”

Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes
Don’t let the name of this spring destination scare you away! Sleeping Bear Dunes isn’t home to any actual bears but is instead named for the shape of the sane dunes. Located in the Lower Peninsula in Michigan, the dunes offer scenic views of Lake Michigan for 35 miles. Have fun exploring the national park which includes forests, beaches, and dune formations you’ll only find in Sleeping Bear. Catching a sunrise or sunset from the dunes and over Lake Michigan is an experience you will never forget!

Now that you’ve got your well-deserved vacation planned, it’s time to get the truck driving career with the pay, home time, and benefits you deserve! Connect with us today to learn more about our driving opportunities.

8 podcasts every truck driver should know about

Microphone in the studio with an "On Air" sign

Are you tired of listening to the same songs over and over again on your routes? At Freymiller, we want our drivers to have complete comfort when they’re in the driver’s seat. So, we searched the internet and found the top eight podcasts for CDL-A drivers.


Trucking life

Building community is one of the most beneficial things a professional driver can do for their career. In 2023, we can connect with others not just in-person but also virtually. Here are three podcasts that get you immersed in the nationwide truck driving community.

1. Talk CDL Trucking Podcast
This podcast has earned the title of the best truck driving podcast on the internet, making it a shoo-in for a spot on this list. The hosts take a comprehensive look at the trucking industry, providing relevant information on trucking laws and other breaking news. They also review trucker surveys and include talking points from fellow CDL-A drivers who tune into the podcast. Join the thousands of other truck drivers who listen in and learn even more about the trucking community!

2. Trucker Dump
With nearly 200 episodes, this podcast has been on air for awhile and knows how to serve its listeners. They advertise themselves as “A podcast for truckers, potential truckers, and curious non-truckers” meaning that nearly everyone can tune in and feel entertained! Get ready to hear interesting stories from the road as well as comments submitted by listeners.

3. Big Rig Banter
Have you ever been curious about what a news station that covers only trucking news and specifically interviews CDL-A drivers would be like? Big Rig Banter is hosted by experienced journalists who are committed to both entertaining and educating truck drivers. With exclusive interviews from members of the truck driving industry, this show “gets to the heart of the truck driving community,” as posted on their podcast page.


Talk show

Talk show podcasts let you listen in on an interesting and engaging conversation without the pressure of having to think up any replies! Here are our top three recommendations.

1. Jocko Podcast
Jocko Willink, the host of this show, is a decorated retired Navy Seal who has taken to the internet to share his unique perspective on the power of discipline and leadership. With topics focusing on business, war, relationships, and everyday life, Willink invites interesting guests to join him on air and share their life experiences. Some of the top-rated episodes include Jocko Podcast 221: Jonny Kim. Navy SEAL, Doctor, Astronaut. The Unimaginable Path and Jocko Podcast 21: With Tim Kennedy & Echo Charles.

2. This American Life
This show pulls in 2.2 million listeners on their weekly podcasts. Ira Glass, the host, works hard to make journalism entertaining and features compelling stories with humorous moments and plenty of plot twists. Described as a “public radio program and podcast,” each week is focused on a new theme, meaning that you’re sure to never listen to the same story twice!

3. Trucking After Hours
We almost put this podcast under the trucking life category, but the easy-flowing conversation between the father-son duo that hosts this show changed our minds. Buck and Don Ballard both have years of trucking experience under the belt and took to the internet to create compelling conversation on not only CDL life, but also on pick-ups, cars, and business, taking the podcast beyond just trucking life.


True crime

Here’s your hack to having the hours and miles fly by. True crime podcasts are highly recommended in the truck driving community as their gripping stories suck you in. Here are our top two recommendations.

1. Criminal
The hosts of Criminal take listeners on a journey through some of the most confounding cases. From plane crashes that happened for seemingly no reason to an entire family passing away from the sudden onset of a mysterious illness, the host Phoebe Judge shares true crime cases that are sure to grab your attention.

2. Crime Junkie
This weekly podcast makes it impossible for you to ever run out of true crime content. The hosts cover murder cases, missing person cases, conspiracies, and more that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Some of their top-rated episodes include MISSING: Niqui McCown and WANTED: Monster in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Now that you’ve got your OTR listening material ready to go, it’s time to step up your truck driving career! Connect with Freymiller today and learn about our amazing driving opportunities!