Fifty-seven percent of U.S. professional truck drivers say eating right the biggest challenge of life on the road; fresh fruit drivers' favorite snack

Nevin Barich

EVANSVILLE, Indiana , April 10, 2012 (press release) – 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 released today.

“Given that the majority of our professional truck drivers spend more than 30 weeks out of the year on the road, this survey is a great way to let these seasoned road warriors share their knowledge and preferences with the rest of us,” said Glen Dunkerson, chairman and CEO of Atlas World Group. “With summer vacation and road trips just around the corner, the recommendations in the King of the Road Survey can help travelers stay fit while on the road, identify the best hotel chain, food and much more.”

This year’s King of the Road survey highlights include:

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.

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

The King of the Road Survey results are revealed in conjunction with Atlas Van Lines’ annual driver appreciation event, known as BRAVO (Boosting Recognition of Atlas Van Operators) Week, which is scheduled for April 16-20. This week-long affair takes place at participating Atlas agencies around the United States and Canada and recognizes the hard-working drivers who travel across the country and interact with Atlas Van Lines’ customers on a daily basis.

For complete survey results, visit www.atlasvanlines.com/KingoftheRoad.

About Atlas Van Lines

Atlas Van Lines, a national moving company, is the largest subsidiary of Atlas World Group, an Evansville, Ind.-based company. Atlas World Group companies employ nearly 700 people throughout North America. Nearly 500 Atlas interstate moving agents in the United States and Canada specialize in corporate relocation, household moving services and in the specialized transportation of high-value items such as electronics, fine art, store fixtures and furniture. For more information, visit http://www.atlasvanlines.com.

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