Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 9 Best Gifts for Truck Drivers for the Long Holiday Haul

John Jones
By
A male truck driver reading a magazine in his truck.
Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels

Truck drivers are our unsung heroes. Their hard work on the road, getting all of our stuff to the places we want it (on a timely basis) has always been important, but we’ve never appreciated them as much as we have lately, now that the term “supply chain” became a regular feature on the nightly news. This holiday season makes sure that the long-hauler in your life knows that you appreciate all those hours spent behind the wheel.

These gifts are also great for your buddy who’s chucked it all to live in a van or for your relative who works from her car. Some of our selects were about helping out with the health and wellness concerns of somebody who’s stuck in the driver’s seat all day, some seemed particularly useful, while others were just for fun, and some were chosen just so your favorite driver can keep truckin’ in style. 

Related Videos

Related Guides

Piloti Pinnacle Boot

A Piloti Pinnacle Boot on gray background.

Designed for racing and tested by Le Mans champions, this boot is designed for auto racing, but drivers who spend hours with a foot on the pedal will appreciate the Pinnacle’s anti-vibration, hydrocarbon-resistant sole. A buffed EVA heel and reinforced lateral forefoot are designed to provide non-stop comfort and performance for long drives (but let’s keep to the speed limit).

Parigo LED Flashlight Gloves

An illustration of a pair of hands with the Parigo LED Flashlight Gloves.

“I am Ironman.” These gloves are a hand-y way to shed light on just about any situation, from searching for items dropped under the dashboard to performing basic repairs or even making the wearer more visible and safer at night (they’re also great for the cyclist in your life). The stretchy, fingerless gloves have rechargeable LED lights attached just shy of the thumbs, so they point a beam of light right at the task at hand. 

Garmin Dash Cam

A Garmin Dash Cam on plain background.

Add an extra layer of security to all that time spent behind the wheel. This pocket-sized camera (with voice control) record any incidents that may be happening around your vehicle, and what’s more, saved video is automatically uploaded via Wi-Fi connection to Garmin’s secure online vault. It can also be accessed for remote viewing from a smartphone app. The camera also provides driver alerts such as forward collision and lane departure warnings to encourage safer driving.

Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press

The components of the Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press on white background.

If there is any one time when having the perfect cup of coffee is paramount, it’s on an extended road trip. Don’t depend on the truck stop or fast-food chain to get it right (they often disappoint). Bring your favorite coffee, ground to your specifications, and make a delicious cup every time with the Aeropress Go. Fans of the Aeropress already love it for its minimal approach to achieving the perfect cup every time. Now bring that level of control on the road. 

Superior Bath Robe

A mannequin wearing the Superior Bath Robe.

A long-haul truck driver may find themselves showering at a truck stop or spending the night at a cheap roadside motel. Send a little luxury along for the ride with this cotton waffle weave spa-style bathrobe. It’ll make even the sparest facility feel like an indulgent experience. 

Nintendo Switch Mario Red and Blue Edition

A Nintendo Switch Mario Red and Blue Edition on white background.

Grab a game-on-the-go with the Nintendo Switch. Inspired by video game celebrity character Super Mario, the set features the bold red design console, Joy-Con controllers, and the Nintendo Switch Dock. A solid blue design is featured on both the Joy-Con grip and Joy-Con wrist straps. There’s also a carrying case adorned with Super Mario iconography, and a screen protector to keep your Mario Nintendo Switch system secure.

Health Touch Fully Body Massage Mat

A Health Touch Fully Body Massage Mat on plain background.

Anybody who has been behind the wheel for more than a few hours knows that, no matter how nice the upholstery, driving can be hell on your back. While we’re not sure if this can be stashed in the cab, at least have it ready when your driver hits home base: The mat features five vibrating points, with two levels of intensity, as well as heat. 

Todd Snyder Cashmere Crewneck

A green cashmere crewneck from Todd Snyder.

For an all-night ride, a night on the town, or a night snuggled up on the couch, we love this Todd Snyder Italian cashmere sweater that’s made from recycled cashmere. The waffle texture maintains a masculine style that any big rig driver would appreciate, but it’s still soft and cozy. Let your trucker know you really love them and get the matching sweats, too. 

Hello Fresh Gift Card

A $70 Hello Fresh Gift Card on plain background.

According to American Trucker magazine, many long-haul drivers have diet-related health problems like obesity, diabetes, and sleep apnea. Let’s keep our good buddies happy and healthy by offering some easy, healthy meals via Hello Fresh. The healthy subscription meal kit plan delivers pre-measured ingredients with easy-to-follow recipes right to the recipient’s door in a simple, nutritious, and sustainable program. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
The coolest and best EVs coming in 2023 (and beyond)
Which of these incredible electric vehicles is your favorite?
Mercedes-Benz EQG front end angle from passenger's side on a platform in front of a futuristic skyline

The all-electric craze is in full swing, and automakers are bringing new electric cars to market at a blistering pace. While the last few years have been an exciting time for EVs, the next several years are going to be even more thrilling. 2021 and 2022 saw electric vehicles go mainstream, while 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be the years when they really begin to shine. 
A lot of new electric vehicles are expected to come out over the next few years — like, a dizzying number. If we were to cover all of the upcoming electric vehicles that are expected to arrive in the near future, we would end up writing a novel. Instead, we’ve compiled a list of the seven coolest electric vehicles that we’re the most excited to see in the future.

DeLorean Alpha5
After nearly four decades in hibernation, DeLorean’s back in business. While most of us associate DeLorean with the wedge-shaped marvel from Back to the Future, the upcoming Alpha5 looks like it actually belongs in the future, though it gets some inspiration from the classic car.
The Alpha5 is a serious EV that looks toward the future. It has gullwing doors, four seats, an expected range of 300 miles, and a claimed 0-to-88 mph time of 4.35 seconds. The EV will be a low-volume model with fewer than 10,000 cars expected to be produced.

Read more
Start 2023 off right: The 6 best SUVs you can get
The best SUVs: 2023's top picks
2022 Ford Bronco Wildtrak front end angle from passenger's side parked on a snowy trail with trees in the back.

SUVs continue to be as popular as ever and automakers are pumping out new options at a neck-breaking pace. Some believed that SUVs were just a fad, but with the introduction of more high-performance models, more fuel-efficient options, and more options that can go off-roading, it's clear that SUVs are here to stay.

It's easy to see why so many people have moved to SUVs. They offer drivers a commanding view of the road ahead, large cargo areas, and improved safety because of their larger size. Additionally, automakers have gone to great lengths to make SUVs more efficient, faster, and more comfortable than ever. You'll also find more all-electric SUVs arriving every year, bringing all of the upsides of an electric powertrain to the roomy body style.

Read more
Get up to speed with our comprehensive dictionary of motorcycle slang
How much motorcycle slang do you know?
Generic-Man-Working-on-Motorcycle

Welcome to The Manual's dictionary of motorcycle slang. This unofficial glossary was created by those who prefer travel on "twos" to teach people the lingo of the road. Learning this language might not only bring you a new level of enjoyment, but it also could ensure your safety. Robert M. Pirsig captures this idea deftly in his book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, when he writes, "It's the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top." Winter is the perfect time to prepare for lots of riding in spring, and what better way to do that then learn the ins and outs of motorcycle lingo?

Motorcycling, just like any other special activity, has its own vocabulary. This slang might make you sound like a veteran rider and give you helpful tips, like what to know when you need to tune your motorcycle and what to look for when purchasing your first motorcycle. Whether you own a motorcycle or are thinking of purchasing a new bike, now's the right time to get a better understanding of motorcycling. You might know the difference between a trike and a bobber, but do you know what a panny or a tiddler is? That's what this cheat sheet is for.
A-E
A
ADV: Short for “adventure,” ADV means both a kind of bike and a kind of riding. ADV bikes can be ridden on- and off-road and are often called “dual-sport bikes” or “adventure bikes.” A ride on such a bike is often called an “ADV ride,” and there are countless ADV groups, websites, clubs, etc. Usage: “Check out my new KLR 650. I can’t wait to take it on that epic ADV ride this summer.”

Read more