CloudTrucks: Insights on American Perceptions of Trucking

As we embrace the holiday season, the familiar sight of trucks on our roads becomes as integral as festive decorations. In this context, CloudTrucks conducted a study titled “How America Thinks and Talks Trucks,” involving 2,000 Americans to explore the public’s perception of the trucking industry and its drivers. This survey covered participants from all 50 states, analyzed across four census regions: Northeast, Midwest, South, and West.

Key findings from the survey reveal that Americans generally hold favorable views toward truck drivers. A significant 80% of respondents across the country recognize truck drivers as vital to the economy, with many empathizing with the challenges they face from other motorists. However, a third believe truck drivers are not fairly compensated for their work.

Despite some stereotypical views, such as associating truck drivers with being older white males, often with tattoos and rough appearances, the predominant sentiment is more positive. Many respondents described truck drivers as industrious, overworked, underpaid, reliable, and punctual. Nearly half would express respect and curiosity about truck drivers’ experiences in a social setting.

The survey also revealed regional differences in familiarity with and confidence in understanding trucking. The South displayed the highest confidence, with 69% claiming varying degrees of familiarity, compared to 57% in the Northeast. Overall, 65% of Americans feel familiar with truck drivers’ daily life and challenges.

Another aspect of the study included a short quiz on basic trucking industry knowledge, revealing strong industry knowledge nationwide. Northeastern respondents excelled in the quiz, showcasing deep knowledge about specific states’ trucking regulations and industry concentrations.

When it comes to regional terminology for trucks, preferences vary. The term “18-wheeler” is most popular in the South and nationwide. In contrast, the Midwest prefers “semi” and “semi-truck,” the Northeast favors “tractor-trailer,” and the West shows a mix of preferences, including “semi-truck,” “semi,” “18-wheeler,” “big rig,” and “rig.” The survey also found that terms like “delivery truck,” “freight truck,” and “mack truck” are popular among respondents.

Tobenna Arodiogbu, co-founder and CEO of CloudTrucks, responded positively to the survey’s findings, highlighting the growing positive perception of truck drivers and the trucking industry. He emphasized the industry’s critical role in the U.S. economy and hoped that this positive perception would translate into better financial rewards for drivers.

The survey methodology was comprehensive, including respondents from all 50 states, with the distribution reflecting the population differences across the four census regions. This approach ensured a detailed and nuanced understanding of the varying regional perceptions and terminologies related to trucking.