King of the Road Survey

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2018 King of the Road Survey

The majority of Atlas Van Lines Professional Van Operators (PVOs) spend more than 40 weeks on the road every year. To learn more about our experienced PVOs and their lives on the road, we conduct our King of the Road Survey. This year, we received responses from 457 Atlas van operators across the U.S.

The survey provides insights into PVOs’ favorite brands, highway essentials, use of technology and how they stay fit while on the road.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR’S KING OF THE ROAD SURVEY INCLUDE:

Drivers are taking advantage of the latest technologies.

Today’s PVOs are more connected through technology and social media than ever before. In fact, 91 percent of PVOs surveyed use smartphones, and 96 percent access their email daily.

When it comes to social media, PVOs are no different than the rest of us, with nearly 71 percent of respondents saying they check social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram daily.

Drivers are increasingly health-conscious

Spending so much time on the road can make it difficult to make healthy choices, but our PVOs are finding creative ways to exercise and eat right. Seventy-eight percent said their main form of exercise while on the road is moving furniture, and 31 percent make an effort to walk, run or doing another workout activity while at truck spots.

PVOs are making healthy eating choices while on the road. Eighty-two percent of drivers surveyed said they drink water throughout the day, over sugary drinks such teas, sports drinks, juices and sodas. Fresh fruit was the top choice for favorite snacks while on the road (55 percent).

Favorite brands include:

Best coffee: Dunkin’ Donuts
Favorite hotel chains: Super 8
Best truck stop chains: Flying J
Most effective antacid: Tums
Best tires: Michelin
Favorite motor oil: Shell Rotella
Best tractor: Kenworth
Favorite grocery store/supermarket: Walmart
Most common-used smartphone: Apple
Most common-used cell service/network provider: Verizon

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). This three day long event takes place at participating Atlas agencies around the United States and Canada and recognizes the hardworking drivers who travel across the country and interact with Atlas Van Lines’ customers on a daily basis.

Product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Atlas' King Of The Road survey are the property of their respective trademark holders. These trademark holders are not affiliated with Atlas Van Lines our services or our products. They do not sponsor or endorse our survey or our services or our products.

THE DRIVER & THE JOB

What is the best part of being a van operator?

(454 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

64% Meeting/Working with People Across the Country
59% Freedom of the Highway (Not Working in an Office)
48% Entrepreneurship (Run Own Business)
24% Being a Part of the Trucking Community
11% Other (sense of satisfaction/completion, helping people, travel, etc.)

How long have you been a van operator with Atlas?

(457 respondents)

17% Less than 1 year
25% 1-3 years
12% 4-6 years
8% 7-9 years
15% 10-15 years
24% 16+ years or more

How many weeks per year do you spend on the road?

(457 respondents)

23% Less than 20 weeks
20% 20-30 weeks
26% 31-40 weeks
31% More than 40 weeks

How many miles per year do you normally drive your truck?

(457 respondents)

23% Less than 50,000
41% 50,000-74,999
22% 75,000-99,999
8% 100,000-124,999
5% 125,000 or more

Why did you choose to join Atlas as a van operator?

(455 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

49% Atlas Agency
35% Company Reputation
34% Family/Friend Influence
25% Money/Miles
25% Driver Respect
23% Referral/Recommendation
18% Home Time
11% Advancement Opportunities
9% Equipment
11% Other (fit, passion, work, support family, etc.)

What is your level of satisfaction with being an Atlas van operator?

(447 respondents)

43% Extremely satisfied – I love my job!
42% Reasonably Satisfied – life’s good!
12% Somewhat satisfied – Okay overall.
4% Could be better.

How likely are you to recommend joining Atlas to friends or colleagues on the road?

(368 respondents)

87% Very Likely
9% Somewhat Likely
5% Not Likely

What are you doing to be more eco-friendly while on the road?

(434 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

53% Limiting unnecessary idling
40% Use Prepass/EZ Pass/Best Pass
32% Use reusable drink containers
29% Use reusable grocery bags
27% Recycle aluminum, glass and plastic containers
24% Use APU
21% Taking advantage of hotel conservation programs like reusing towels
21% Use driver assist apps
18% Use generator
16% Use Biodiesel fuel
13% Buying organic or locally grown foods
10% Use aerodynamic skirts
4% Use IdleAir or other TSE
4% Use battery operated HVAC (i.e. ParkSmart, etc.)
1% Hypermiling/eco-driving
5% Other

Okay, you're finally off the road. What's your favorite pastime when you're not working?

(409 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

79% Hang out with family/friends
36% Have a relaxing dinner
29% Go on vacation
26% Go hunting or fishing
23% Go to a sporting event
20% Spend time on a favorite hobby
18% No contest...sleep!
16% Go to a movie
12% Other (golf, motorcycles, remodel home, concerts, boating, camping, cooking, gardening, scuba diving, surfing, snowboarding, running, hiking, sailing, etc.)

PEOPLE & THINGS MOVED

What are some of the most interesting types of people you have assisted in moving?

(371 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

58% Regular/Everyday People
40% Military
39% Pro-Athletes
17% Actors/Actresses (TV/Movie/Stage)
16% Singers/Musicians
15% Scientists
11% Politicians
6% Authors
6% Religious Leaders
6% Comedians
3% International Leaders
10% Other (Doctors, Government Officials, Federal Law Enforcement Officers, Museum Curators, Movie Directors, Retirees, etc.)

What is the most interesting or most unique thing you’ve ever loaded onto your truck?

(297 responses – many cite airplanes, boats, cars, helicopters, & medical equipment - some of the most unique items listed below!)

10 Foot Gold-Plated Harp
1000 Pound Drum Made from a Tree
12 Foot Long Coca-Cola Elf for a Christmas Display
12 Foot Long, 700 Pound Metal Bender
12 Foot Tall Metal Giraffe
14 Foot Model of the Queen Mary Ship
18 Motorcycles Belonging to One Customer
1920 Sopwith Camel Biplane
1920s Model T
1930s Car for Threshers Museum in Iowa
1950s Restored Corvette
1951 Rolls-Royce
1954 Cadillac 4-Door with no roof
1954 Farm Tractor
1957 Chevy
1957 Ford Thunderbird
1957 Mercedes
1978 Porsche
20 Foot Banquet Table from the 1700s Made for a French Castle
200 Year Old 40 Foot Tall Spiral Staircase
200 Year Old Bedroom Set from a Castle
24 Foot Kayak
25 Foot Dinosaur Display
25 Rocks from Various National Parks
28 Foot Long Camera and Track
30 Foot Teepee Poles
30 Foot Uniroyal Tire Shop Statue
36 Foot Canoe
7 Foot Dog Statue
7 Foot Tall Brass Parrot Made from Brass Chips
8 Foot Deer Horn Chandeliers
9000 Pound Buddha Statue
A Cat Show
AC Cobra
African Blown Glass
African Fertility Pole
Airplane Kit with 30 Foot Wings
Amusement Park Ride
Ancient Oriental Tablet
Animatronic Dinosaur
Antique Furniture
Art Exhibits
Artillery Fuses
BB King's Guitar "Lucille"
British Phone Booth
Bumblebee from the Transformers
Buzzsaw Shark
Cannon from the War of 1812
Car Once Owned by Wilt Chamberlain
Catapult
Circular Couch
Concert Piano
Copper Dolphins
Covered Wagon
Creature from the Black Lagoon
Detroit Diesel Engine out of a Large Ship
Dinosaur Exhibit
Donkey and Elephant Mascots (for a political convention)
Drag Race Motorcycle
Early 1900s Printer
EKG Machine
Full-Sized Doll House
Full-Sized Horses Made of Horseshoes
Full-Sized Pterodactyl Robotic Creatures
Fuselage
George Washington's Desk
German Telephone Booth
Gun Safe
H1 Hummer
Half an Ambulance
Heart and Lung Machine
Helicopter
Hercules Statue
Homemade Airplane
Homemade Motorized Three-Wheeler
Homemade Single Seat Race Vehicle
Horse Buggies
Hot Air Balloons
Hot Dog Truck
Jet Engine
Jimmy Hoffa Prison Cell Door from Quantico
Kubota Front End Loader Tractor
Lamborghini
Large Pottery Kiln
Life-Sized Cow Sculpture – Twice!
Life-Sized Horse Statue (made from leaves over wire)
Life-Sized Superman Statue
Mahindra Riding Lawn Mower
Medical Laser Cutter
Monet Painting
Monster Truck
MRI Machine
Mummy
Old Navy Truck
Old Popcorn Machine
One of the First 20 Volvo Cars Ever Built
One of the First Fords Ever Built
Painting from Sotheby's Auction House
Pepsi Robot
Piano from the Terminator Movie
Piano signed by Elton John
Pirate Ship Playground
Player Piano
Podium used by Al Pacino in the Movie Paterno
Polaris RZR
Pope's Chair
Princess Diana's Clothing Exhibit
Prop from The Simpson Show
Queen Elizabeth's Piano
Race Car
Racing Motorcycles
Robot
Rocket Car
Rocket Engine
Rolls-Royce
Sailboat
Single Axle Truck
Smoker (made out of a propane tank wider than my trailer)
Space Arm for the 1988 Space Shuttle for the a Science Center
Stanley Steemer
Star Wars Props for a Star Wars Convention
Statue of Buddha
Suit of Armor
Super Computer
Telephone Booth
Terra Cotta Warriors from China
Toilet
Train Car
Unibike from the 1940s
Windmill
WWI Exhibit
WWI Wooden Chest

THE RIG & EQUIPMENT

Who builds the best tractor?

(435 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

44% Kenworth
34% Peterbilt
27% Freightliner
20% Volvo
9% International
6% Western Star
3% Mack
5% Other (Marmon, John Deere, no opinion, etc.)

Who makes the best tires?

(435 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

44% Kenworth
34% Peterbilt
27% Freightliner
20% Volvo
9% International
6% Western Star
3% Mack
5% Other (Marmon, John Deere, no opinion, etc.)

Which brand of motor oil do you use most often?

(432 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

42% Shell Rotella
40% Mobil Delvac
13% Chevron Delo
7% Valvoline
7% Penzoil
6% Castrol
3% Other (Cat Oil, Shaffer's, Brad Penn, etc.)

Generator Brand Used (Of Those Using Generators)

(71 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

42% Shell Rotella
40% Mobil Delvac
13% Chevron Delo
7% Valvoline
7% Penzoil
6% Castrol
3% Other (Cat Oil, Shaffer's, Brad Penn, etc.)

TSE Brand Used (Among Those Who Use TSE)

(17 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

42% Shell Rotella
40% Mobil Delvac
13% Chevron Delo
7% Valvoline
7% Penzoil
6% Castrol
3% Other (Cat Oil, Shaffer's, Brad Penn, etc.)

APU Brand Used (Of Those Using APU)

(97 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

45% ThermoKing TriPac
10% Rigmaster
9% Carrier ComfortPro
6% Cummins/Onan
3% HP2000
27% Other (Navistar, GoGreen, Centramatic, etc.)

COMMUNICATIONS

When on the road, which of the following do you use?

(456 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

91% Smartphone (iPhone, Android, etc.)
71% GPS
57% Tablet (iPad/Galaxy/etc.)
46% Wi-Fi
31% CB Radio
25% Laptop
12% Basic cell phone
4% IdleAir/Shore Power or other TSE
4% E-Reader (Nook/Kindle/etc.)

Smartphone Type (Of Those Who Use Smartphones)

(407 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

54% Apple (iOS)
53% Android
3% Windows
1% Other

Tablet Type (Of Those Who Use Tablets)

(193 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

78% Apple (iOS)
24% Android
5% Windows
1% Other

What cell service/wireless network provider do you use?

(455 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

52% Verizon
27% AT&T
13% Sprint
8% T-Mobile
3% Metro PCS
1% Boost Mobile
0% Cricket Wireless
0% U.S. Wireless
2% Other (Straight Talk, Consumer Cellular, etc.)

When you are on the road how often do you have access to the following:-Email

(446 respondents)

96% Daily
2% 2-3 Times a Week
1% Once a Week
% 2-3 Times a Month
% Once a Month
% Less than Once a Month
1% Never

When you are on the road how often do you have access to the following:-Internet

(436 respondents)

92% Daily
4% 2-3 Times a Week
0% Once a Week
0% 2-3 Times a Month
1% Once a Month
1% Less than Once a Month
2% Never

When you are on the road how often do you have access to the following:-Social Networks (Facebook, etc.)

(427 respondents)

71% Daily
7% 2-3 Times a Week
2% Once a Week
1% 2-3 Times a Month
1% Once a Month
2% Less than Once a Month
16% Never

When you are on the road how often do you have access to the following:-Computer

(415 respondents)

46% Daily
11% 2-3 Times a Week
7% Once a Week
3% 2-3 Times a Month
3% Once a Month
4% Less than Once a Month
26% Never

What are your favorite social media platform(s)?

(437 respondents)

69% Facebook
19% Instagram
8% Twitter
6% LinkedIn
4% Pinterest
6% Other (Snapchat, Reddit, YouTube, Google, WhatsApp, etc.)
22% Not Applicable/I don't use social media

TUNES

When I'm on the road and have the radio on, most likely I am listening via (SYSTEM):

(442 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

47% Smatphone
45% Satellite Radio
44% FM/AM Station
11% iPod/MP3 Player
3% Other

When I'm on the road and have the radio on, most likely I'm listening to (STYLE):

(442 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

41% Talk/News/Sports Radio
40% Country
38% Rock and Roll
35% Classic 60s, 70s & 80s
20% R&B/Rap/Hip-Hop
11% Christian
11% Jazz/Blues
9% National Public Radio
9% Pop/Top 40
12% Other (Metal, Spanish/Mexican, Reggae, Easy Listening, EDM, Audiobooks, etc.)

RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, & STOPS

RESTAURANTS

What is your favorite fast food restaurant?

(405 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

40% Chick-Fil-A
37% Subway
30% Wendy's
24% Arby's
22% Chipotle
20% Taco Bell
19% Panera Bread
18% Kentucky Fried Chicken
18% McDonald's
17% Hardee's/Carl's Jr.
13% Burger King
13% Jack in the Box
10% Dairy Queen
7% Sonic
6% Pizza Hut
2% Little Caesars
14% Other (In-n-Out, Popeye's, 5 Guys, Whataburger, Del Taco, El Pollo Loco, etc.)

Whether it's a "Mom and Pop" diner, or particular franchise location, what is the best restaurant in America?

(268 respondents – top write ins!)

1st Texas Roadhouse
2nd Iron Skillet
3rd Applebee's / Cracker Barrel / Golden Corral / Longhorn
4th Big Texan Steak Ranch / Black Bear Diner / Waffle House
5th Buffalo Wild Wings / Denny's / Iowa 80 Kitchen / Outback Steakhouse / Portillo's / Petro

(226 respondents – top write ins!)

1st Texas
2nd California
3rd Florida
4th Everywhere
5th Illinois
6th Maryland
7th Arizona / New York
8th Michigan / Ohio / Oregon
9th Missouri / Tennessee / Wisconsin
10th Arkansas / Colorado / Connecticut / Georgia / Iowa / New Jersey / North Carolina

HOTELS

How often do you stay at a hotel while traveling for work (on average)?

(457 respondents)

9% Daily
9% 1 Time a Week
18% 2-3 Times a Week
18% 2-3 Times a Month
28% 12 Times a Year or Less
12% Never
6% Other (on vacation, when needed, etc.)

While on the road, which hotel chain is your favorite place to stop for the night?

(388 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

33% Super 8
31% Days Inn
31% Best Western
31% Comfort Inn
27% Quality Inn
27% Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express
21% La Quinta
21% Motel 6
18% Red Roof Inn
17% Hampton Inn
15% Econo Lodge
8% America's Best Value Inn
7% Travelodge
4% Extended Stay America
4% Wingate
4% Microtel
10% Other (Marriot, Hilton, no preference, etc.)

What are the most important factor(s) when choosing a hotel?

(456 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

83% Truck Parking/Access
52% Price
38% Location
37% Quality (Reviews/Ratings)
25% Perks (i.e. Free Breakfast/Internet Access, Fitness Center, Pool)
20% Loyalty Programs
6% Other (pets allowed, early check-in, etc.)

STOPS

Which state has the best rest stops in the United States?

(358 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

26% Florida
19% Ohio
18% Texas
8% Georgia
7% North Carolina
5% California
5% Tennessee
5% Alabama
4% Virginia
4% Colorado
4% Indiana
4% Iowa
4% Kentucky
4% Washington
3% Arizona
3% Pennsylvania
3% South Carolina
3% New Mexico
3% Maryland
3% Oregon
2% Oklahoma
2% Illinois
2% Idaho
2% Minnesota
2% Nevada
2% Utah
2% Mississippi
1% Missouri
1% New Jersey
1% Michigan
1% Louisiana
1% Wyoming
1% Montana
1% Wisconsin
1% Arkansas
1% Connecticut
1% Kansas
1% Maine
1% West Virginia
1% Massachusetts
1% Hawaii
1% New York
1% Delaware
0% North Dakota
0% Rhode Island
0% Vermont
0% Nebraska

Which province has the best rest stops in Canada?

(32 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

47% Ontario
16% British Columbia
9% Alberta
9% Nova Scotia
6% Newfoundland and Labrador
6% Northwest Territories
6% Quebec
3% New Brunswick
3% Manitoba
3% Yukon

What is your favorite truck stop chain?

(437 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

48% Flying J
44% Pilot
43% Petro
38% TA (Truckstops of America)
32% Love's
5% AMBEST
4% Speedway
2% Roady's
5% Other (Sapps Brothers, QuikTrip, Davis Travel Center, etc.)

LIFE ON THE ROAD

Who has the best coffee?

(372 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

41% Dunkin' Donuts
34% Starbucks
24% Truckstops/Gas Stations
15% McDonald's
10% Tim Horton's
9% Other (Denny’s, Caribou, Scooters,Kinser's Bakery, 7/11, Me/My Truck, etc.)

You've had your morning coffee, what do you drink the rest of the day?

(398 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

82% Water
26% Gatorade/Sports Drinks
22% Tea
17% Juice/Fruit Drinks
11% Vitamin Enhanced Water
11% Energy Drinks
10% Mountain Dew/Diet Mountain Dew
10% Coke/Diet Coke
6% Pepsi/Diet Pepsi
10% Other (Dr. Pepper, Coffee, Sprite, Seltzer/Sparkling Water, etc.)

What is your favorite snack while on the road?

(455 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

55% Fresh Fruit
44% Peanuts/Mixed Nuts
36% Jerky
30% Trail Mix
19% Potato Chips
18% Candy
15% Pretzels
15% Baked Goods (cakes/cookies)
11% Popcorn
12% Other (vegetables, protein bars/shakes, granola bars, cheese, sunflower seeds, etc.)

What is your favorite grocery store/supermarket?

(454 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

72% Walmart
25% Kroger
20% Sam's Club
19% Costco
19% Publix
12% Safeway
11% Whole Foods
11% Meijer
10% Albertson's
5% Fresh Market
3% BJ's Wholesale Club
2% H.E. Butt Grocery
11% Other Wegman’s, Stop & Shop, Trader Joe's, Hy Vee, Winco, Stater Brothers, Giant Eagle, etc.)

Which antacid gets rid of heartburn the quickest?

(307 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

44% Tums
21% Rolaids
18% Zantac
13% Pepto-Bismol
6% Pepcid
3% Mylanta
16% Other (Nexium, Apple Cider Vinegar, Omeprazole, Prilosec, etc.)

How do you exercise while on the road?

(394 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

78% Moving furniture
31% Walk/Run/Workout at truck stops
15% Who has time for exercise?
14% Push-ups and sit-ups
11% Use the hotel gym
8% Use dumbells
7% Other (walk/hiking, gym, (Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, others), bicycle, swim, etc.)

While on the road, how many times have you stopped to aid another motorist?

(438 respondents)

16% I’ve never aided another motorist
48% Once or twice
23% 3 to 10 times
13% More than 10 times

What is the most difficult part of life on the road?

(410 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)

57% Eating right
43% DOT hours of service regulations
42% Traffic
35% Weather
30% Staying in touch with family
26% Exercise
22% Keeping on top of finances
13% Paperwork
13% Work schedule
9% Getting my mail
7% Other (not seeing kids/missing family, missing holidays/special events, finding parking, labor, etc.)

VACATION & SCENIC DESTINATIONS

When you take a well-deserved vacation, what is a favorite destination you visit that regular tourists might miss?

(270 respondents)

1st Florida
2nd Mexico
3rd Caribbean
4th Home
5th Beach
6th Cruise
7th Tennessee
8th Camping / Hawaii
9th California / Colorado
10th North Carolina / South Carolina

Specific Destinations/Vacation Ideas – Domestic