How Do Truck Drivers Stay Awake? (#1 Stay Awake Pills + Tips & Tricks)

On-the-road truckers are driving for work for days to weeks at a time. Sometimes to stay on schedule a trucker will fight the natural instinct for rest and try to stay awake.

A lot of you are trying to make as much money as you can at the expense of sleep—and I get it.

While waiting for loading/unloading, you might be logging time in the sleeper berth so you can cover some of that 10 hour break time.

But what happens when that makes its way into your actual sleep time?

Not only are you genuinely tired, but now you need to push through and make it to your next destination.

Now, while my number one recommendation is always to stay safe and get sleep, here are some tips, tricks, and my number one secret weapon to staying up while trucking.

10 Tips For Staying Awake While Truck Driving

Turn Up The Music

I remember those nights driving through the desert, knowing damn well I was falling asleep if I didn’t do anything to keep my alertness spiking.

Make sure you do the following if you are relying on music:

• Make sure the music is rowdy, energetic and loud
• Anything soft or talk-shows will lull you to sleep
• Sing along to the music as best you can the entire way
• Don’t let yourself get calm or you might doze off
• Depending on your personality, a comedy show on Pandora can help you stay awake

Avoid Food Binging & Eat Smaller Meals

You can prevent fatigue crashes by eating smaller meals as you get tired further into the day.

Put it this way, after you eat at an all-you-can-eat buffet your body wants you to put all your effort into slowing down and going into it’s own sort of hibernation mode.

This is because consuming food takes energy.

In fact, breaking down food is so energetically expensive that the body will retain food energy and get fat because it can’t break down enough in the time it’s given. This is called “getting fat”.

That said, if you want to use your sense of taste to keep you up, consider the following:

• Eat spicy foods. If the spicy sensation lingers, you will no longer be thinking about how sleepy you are. Bonus points if you have no water and don’t touch your eyes.
• Eat sunflower seeds. Eating sunflower seeds demands attention because you need to crack open the shell, get the seed, and spit out the shell. This gives you something to put your mind on while driving.
• Suck on very sour candy. There are some sour candies out there that can really distract you from your fatigue.

Turn Up the AC

This is the best way to use your discomfort as an advantage.

By blowing the AC very cold, you will make your body shiver as it attempts to heat you up. Shivering is not a pleasant experience and will help keep you awake.

Consider getting a cold compress and putting it on the back of your neck to help shock yourself awake.

You can also roll down your windows to get that loud, and sometimes harsh, breeze on your face.

Adjust Your Cab Lights

If you are driving at night, having bright lights in your cab can increase eye strain and cause more eye fatigue.

By dimming your cab and dashboard lights your eyes will be able to manage longer thanks to the reduced stress on the eyes.

I highly suggest you attack your other senses while applying this tip to help you stay alert and awake, whether it be through temperature or sound.

Energy Drinks

Not a great recommendation since caffeine can make your sleep more difficult in the long run.

If you do use energy drinks, coffee, or 5hr energy drinks, make sure you are moderating yourself. Don’t down the whole bottle. Drink a quarter of the can and see if it’s helping you.

You want to go through the least amount of energy drink as necessary.

You want enough to keep you up now, but not so much that it bleeds into your next opportunity for much needed sleep.

Extra Bonus Tips

Read road signs aloud. This helps you stay engaged by putting your eyes and mouth to work. However, I think playing loud, rowdy music and singing along works much better.

Call someone on your phone. This can be difficult if no one is awake to keep you company on the phone. The good news is that if anything happens, this person will be the first to call emergency services for you.

Use smelling salts. This is a very temporary solution that gives you a quick boost of alertness and combats drowsiness on the road. It doesn’t hurt to keep some on you just in case.

Get some exercise is actually a trick I don’t recommend. I think you’re much better off spending that time taking a power nap. However, I do suggest exercise as part of your daily health routine.

Don’t make a habit of sleeping in your driver seat. The human brain likes to make associations. This is why you feel the urge to pee at it’s most strongest when you are walking towards a toilet. Make sure you are associating sleep with your sleeper berthe and work with your driver seat.

When all is said and done, just pull over—and go to sleep. Take a power nap if not a full sleep.

#1 Best Pills To Help Truck Drivers Stay Awake

The Answer: Modafinil.

Modafinil is known to promote wakefulness and alertness, which is great when you’re a trucker who needs to pay close attention to the road for long hours.

It also improves your cognitive function, meaning that you get better decision-making, memory, and focus—all of which are crucial for safe and efficient driving.

Not only does it reduce fatigue, but it also helps with Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD). Many doctors prescribe modafinil to truck drivers to help improve wakefulness during work hours.

If you do plan on taking modafinil, make sure you talk to your doctor about possible side effects.

I’ve been taking modafinil for years and it has skyrocketed my trucking business and personal projects—I definitely stand by modafinil.

Modafinil must be prescribed by your doctor if you live in the United States. Otherwise, if you live somewhere that doesn’t require a prescription you can purchase modafinil here (for legal use only).