Today's road warriors are health-conscious, more connected thanks to technology and still loyal to their perennial favorites like Dunkin' Donuts, Subway, Super 8 and Bridgestone, according to a new survey of Atlas Van Lines drivers. Now in its eighth year, Atlas Van Lines' King of the Road Survey provides insights from the moving company's drivers on their preferred brands, use of technology and how they stay healthy while logging miles. These findings, and many more insights from life on the road, are unveiled in the survey. Here are just some of the company’s findings:
Taking strides to stay healthy on the road. Fifty-seven percent of respondents revealed that eating right is the biggest challenge of life on the road. However, the survey indicates that drivers are doing their best to maintain a healthy diet, as fresh fruit was named the drivers' favorite snack, and 71 percent reported drinking water throughout the day. For the sixth consecutive year, Subway remains the favorite fast food chain while nine percent of Atlas' drivers reported avoiding fast food altogether. Nearly one-third state that exercising is the most difficult part to life on the road, but 27 percent of drivers strive to stay in shape by walking or running at truck stops. Seventy-nine percent report moving furniture on the job serves as a great exercise for them.
Respondents picked Petro’s Iron Skillet as their favorite restaurant. Cracker Barrel, Golden Corral, Longhorn Steakhouse and Outback Steakhouse tied for second and Red Lobster came in third. The company did not provide percentages of votes in this category.
Asked about their most unique haul, drivers included Elvis Presley’s Mercedes-Benz and John Lennon’s Steinway Concert Grand Piano. One driver even reported carrying a 4,000-year-old mummy. Others reported having loaded the Declaration of Independence and the Shroud of Turin exhibit. Other more unusual cargo included life-size wooden statues of Jesus and his apostles and an antique British phone booth.
Drivers are more connected than ever with technology. In the past three years, smartphone usage amongst drivers has increased from 14 to 60 percent. Drivers also mentioned that using technology like Skype and FaceTime makes it easier to stay in touch with family while on the road. Three-fourths of drivers go online daily; more than three-fourths of drivers check email daily, and more than half of drivers check social networking sites daily. Computer usage while on the road has nearly doubled over the past three years, with 65 percent of drivers indicating they use a computer daily. Verizon Wireless is the preferred wireless network amongst drivers, and the iPhone is the drivers' favorite smartphone. Favorite brands and other highway essentials include:
- Favorite fast food: Subway
- Best coffee:Dunkin' Donuts
- Favorite hotel chain: Super 8
- Best truck stop chain: Petro
- State with the best rest stops: Florida
- Most effective antacid: Tums
- Best tires: Bridgestone
- Favorite motor oil: Shell Rotella
- Best tractor: Kenworth
I think we can add one more to this list: Favorite Insurance Company- Berrier Insurance!!! :)
