The Alabama Trucking Association teamed up with Alabama-based band Heroes of the Highway for the second year in a row to release an original song honoring the nation’s 3.6 million professional truck drivers. “Get Miles” debuted earlier this week as part of this year’s NTDAW celebration.

“Get Miles” Continues the Story from Last Year

The new release follows “Highway Dreaming,” which the same partnership released during last year’s appreciation week. Instead of beginning with a new story, “Get Miles” returns to the driver introduced in the first song and moves his journey forward.

The character who was just getting started in “Highway Dreaming” is now a seasoned professional who has settled into life on the road and continues putting in the miles.

The sound has changed along with the story. The Alabama Trucking Association described the new track as leaning toward early-2000s post-grunge, with driving guitars, soaring vocals, and drums giving the second release a heavier sound.

Heroes of the Highway Returned for the Second Release

Will Stewart handles lead vocals and guitar, while Les Nuby plays lead guitar, bass, and drums, and Ford Boswell provides backing vocals. Stewart and Boswell co-wrote the song, with Nuby also handling engineering and mixing.

The project also connects strongly to Alabama’s trucking community. According to the Alabama Trucking Association, approximately 34,000 trucking companies operate in the state, and the industry employs 125,000 Alabamians, representing about one in every 13 jobs.

The Tribute Arrives During NTDAW

“Get Miles” was released as the trucking industry marked National Truck Driver Appreciation Week from September 13–19. With this year’s celebration nearing its end, the song gives listeners another way to recognize the professionals who keep freight moving across the country.

The Alabama Trucking Association has represented the state’s trucking industry since 1938 through advocacy, training, and industry programs. The organization said its efforts to support professional drivers continue throughout the year beyond the annual appreciation week.

“Get Miles” is now available on streaming platforms.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: September 18, 2026

Source: Yellow Hammer News

The post Heroes of the Highway Releases New Song Celebrating America’s Truck Drivers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The company brought nearly 100 owner-operators, fleet drivers, and trucking personalities into its Shell Rotella Recording Studio during MATS to talk about their careers, memorable experiences, and what makes them proud to work in trucking. Those conversations were compiled into a video that premiered September 13 and is being shared during NTDAW.

Stories Recorded at MATS Raised Money for SCF

The project also generated more than $2,000 for the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, which assists over-the-road and regional truck drivers and their families when illness or injury creates financial hardship.

Shell Rotella pledged $25 to SCF for each video recorded at MATS. With nearly 100 people participating, the recordings served two purposes: allowing truckers to share their experiences while raising money for others in the industry.

Shell Rotella Brand Manager Julie Wright said the recording studio gave participants a chance to explain what trucking means to them in their own words while supporting SCF’s work.

More Driver Stories Are Coming

The Boston Trucker, Clarissa Rankin and Tarik Al-Amin were among the trucking personalities involved in the recording sessions, encouraging participants to reflect on their careers and experiences behind the wheel.

Although the main video debuted for NTDAW, Shell Rotella plans to continue sharing conversations from the project throughout the year.

Drivers can find the video and additional stories through Shell Rotella and the brand’s social media channels.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: September 17, 2026

Source: The Trucker

The post Shell Rotella Puts Truck Drivers’ Stories in the Spotlight During NTDAW appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Some promotions are limited to NTDAW, which runs September 13-19, while others continue through the end of the month. Available offers range from free food and bonus rewards to discounted DEF and a custom Kenworth giveaway.

Here is what drivers can still take advantage of this September.

OOIDA Drops Membership to $25

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is offering new and renewing members a one-year membership for $25 through September 30, down from its regular $45 rate.

Drivers can receive the discounted rate by calling OOIDA at 816-229-5791 or signing up online with promo code FIGHT25.

OOIDA also brought its Spirit of the American Trucker tour truck to Truck World in Hubbard, Ohio, September 9-11, where the association sponsored complimentary lunches for professional drivers during the three-day stop.

Pilot Puts a Custom Kenworth and $50,000 Up for Grabs

Pilot’s annual Road Warrior contest is back with a considerably larger prize for this year’s winner. One professional driver will receive a Kenworth W990 customized by the Diesel Brothers along with $50,000 in cash.

Nominations remain open through September 18 for drivers recognized for professionalism, safety, and service, with the winner scheduled to be announced in October.

Pilot is also offering professional drivers three free drinks and a snack each week throughout September through its app at participating U.S. Pilot, Flying J and One9 locations. Select travel centers are hosting additional events with giveaways, samples, and other freebies.

Love’s Rolls Out Weekly Deals and Extra Points

Professional drivers using the Love’s Rewards App can earn double points on in-store purchases and triple points on drink refills throughout September.

During NTDAW, drivers can take advantage of several additional offers, including a Drummies and egg cup deal from September 14-20, buy two, get one free Old Wisconsin Meat Snacks through September 19, and two Subway footlongs for $13.99 through September 19.

A free Little Debbie single-serve item is also available September 16, while buy-one-get-one tacos are scheduled for September 21-27.

TA Gives Drivers More Ways to Enter September Sweepstakes

TravelCenters of America is running its Every Driver Counts Sweepstakes throughout September, with entries tied to qualifying purchases made with an EarnifyPro account.

A single fill of at least 60 gallons of commercial diesel earns an entry, as does purchasing a Rapid, Premium, or Ultimate Oil Change or placing a work order of at least $500 at a TA Truck Service Center.

Sixteen prizes are available. Two grand-prize winners will each receive 50,000 EarnifyPro points, valued at $500, while the remaining prizes include TA and RFK Racing die-cast collectibles.

Sheetz Cuts Bulk DEF to $1.99 a Gallon

Sheetz has lowered bulk DEF to $1.99 per gallon through September 30 at 55 locations across its seven-state footprint that offer bulk DEF at the truck diesel dispensers.

Additional promotions are available at locations with high-flow truck diesel. Drivers can receive a free commercial diesel hat while supplies last, and customers purchasing high-flow diesel can get a free half-size sub.

Pumping 100 gallons of high-flow diesel also qualifies customers for one free eligible made-to-order item or beverage. That offer continues through October 27 and is limited to one redemption per day. The additional offers require a My Sheetz Rewards membership.

RaceTrac Adds Weekly Food and Drink Freebies

RaceTrac is giving professional drivers several recurring offers through September 30 through its Rewards program and app.

Each week, eligible drivers can receive one free pizza slice, one free fountain drink, and one free 16-ounce Reign, Bang, NOS, or Full Throttle energy drink. Members can also earn double loyalty points on fuel throughout the promotion.

C.H. Robinson Marks NTDAW With Carrier Recognition

C.H. Robinson is recognizing drivers and carriers during NTDAW under its “Built to Move” campaign. Employees at locations around the country assembled carrier swag bags with handwritten thank-you notes and items for the road, which are being distributed to drivers at C.H. Robinson facilities during the week.

The company will also recognize 17 Carrier of the Year winners at a September 17 ceremony in Minneapolis. Recipients range from one-truck owner-operators to fleets operating hundreds of trucks.

More Than One Week of Driver Deals

While several offers coincide directly with NTDAW, many continue well beyond September 19. OOIDA’s membership discount, Pilot’s weekly app offers, TA’s sweepstakes, Sheetz’s bulk DEF price, and RaceTrac’s driver promotions all remain available later in the month.

Requirements vary by promotion, with some offers tied to rewards accounts, apps, participating locations, or qualifying purchases. Checking those details before stopping can help drivers make sure an offer is available where they plan to redeem it.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: September 14, 2026

Source: Overdrive

The post Truck Driver Appreciation Deals, Giveaways and Events Available This September appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

That is worth considering before plans are finalized. Instead of assuming which gifts or events drivers will appreciate most, carriers still have time to ask and make sure the celebration includes drivers who will not be there in person.

Send a Short Driver Survey

A survey sent before the week begins can give drivers a direct say in what they would like to receive. Keep it short enough to complete from a phone and limit the choices to options the company can realistically provide.

Carriers could ask drivers to rank a meal or truck stop gift card, company gear, practical items for the truck, or other giveaways already under consideration. If a raffle is planned, another question could ask whether drivers would rather have a chance at a larger prize or receive a smaller gift guaranteed to everyone.

Include one open-response question at the end asking what would make the week more meaningful to them. That gives drivers room to suggest something that may not have been included in the choices and can also give carriers ideas for future celebrations.

Include Drivers Who Will Be OTR

A terminal cookout can still be part of the week, but it should not be the only way drivers are recognized. Before September 13, carriers can determine which drivers are unlikely to return to a terminal and decide what they will receive instead.

If drivers at the terminal are getting lunch, those on the road could receive a digital meal or truck stop gift card. If giveaways are being handed out in person, items for OTR drivers can be set aside before distribution begins and held until they return.

Carriers with multiple terminals can take the same approach across locations. Drivers based at a smaller facility or passing through another terminal should know where their gift is available rather than having to track it down after the week is over.

Make Raffles Available to the Entire Fleet

Raffles can easily include drivers on the road as long as being physically present is not required to win. Entering every eligible driver automatically allows OTR, night, and weekend drivers to participate alongside those attending the terminal event.

Winners can be contacted directly and prizes held or shipped if necessary. If drawings are planned throughout the week, the same fleet-wide entry list can be used rather than limiting each drawing to whoever happens to be at the terminal that day.

The survey can also help determine whether a raffle is something drivers actually want. If most drivers would rather receive a smaller guaranteed item than have a chance at one of a few larger prizes, carriers still have time to use that information.

Think About the Timing of Terminal Events

The week lasts seven days, but appreciation activities are often concentrated around a single meal or event. Spreading activities across different days and shifts gives more local and regional drivers a chance to participate without requiring a change to their work schedule.

Night and weekend drivers should be part of that planning as well. If food, gifts, or other activities are only available during weekday office hours, another portion of the fleet can end up missing the same celebration that OTR drivers do.

For companies holding several events, sharing the full schedule with drivers ahead of time can also help those who expect to pass through a terminal during the week know when something is happening.

Find Out What Worked

A short follow-up survey after September 19 can answer questions that are difficult to judge from event attendance alone. Ask drivers whether they received their gift, were able to participate in any company activities, and what they would keep or change next year.

The responses can be especially useful when planning for drivers who spend most of their time away from a terminal. If an on-the-road option was well received, it can become part of next year’s plan from the beginning rather than being added as an alternative later.

There is no single meal, gift, or event that will be the first choice of every driver. Asking drivers what they would like before the week begins and making sure those choices reach people on the road gives carriers a better chance of making the recognition count wherever their drivers happen to be.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: September 3, 2026

The post What Do Drivers Actually Want for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week? appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.